NASA moving forward on return-to-flight plans

NASA released today a status report on safely returning space shuttles to flight. Presently, the space agency has a shuttle liftoff slated for no earlier than March 2005.

Called NASA's Implementation Plan for Space Shuttle Return to Flight and Beyond – Revision 2, the report is putting into action the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) recommendations after the tragic loss of the seven-person crew and craft on February 1, 2003 during atmospheric reentry.