Posted: Wed, Aug 27, 2003, 10:38 AM ET (1438 GMT)
NASA officials said Tuesday that they accepted the conclusions of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board's final report and vowed to implement them, while the President reiterated his support for the space program. In a press release, O’Keefe said that the CAIB's report would serve as a "blueprint" for the space agency as it works to return the shuttle to flight. O'Keefe noted that NASA is already working to implement the interim recommendations issued by the board in the months leading up to the release of the final report. In a brief statement, President Bush acknowledged the work performed by the CAIB but made no firm announcements about the future. "The next steps for NASA under Sean O'Keefe's leadership must be determined after a thorough review of the entire report, including its recommendations," the statement read. "Our journey into space will go on. The work of the crew of the Columbia and the heroic explorers who traveled before them will continue."

Related Links:

•  NASA press release
•  White House statement
•  Houston Chronicle article
•  BBC article