Posted: Sat, Oct 1, 2005, 8:51 AM ET (1251 GMT)
NASA is beginning planning for launching the next space shuttle mission in May 2006, rather than March, as it plans no more than 19 more shuttle flights before the fleet's retirement. New NASA shuttle program head Wayne Hale asked top managers this week to see what would be needed to launch the next shuttle mission, STS-121, in May, followed by another shuttle flight in July. STS-121 is still currently scheduled for launch in March, but disruptions caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita have led to widespread speculation that the launch would be delayed. The launch had already been delayed from this September in order to make changes to the external tank to avoid additional foam shedding. Flight International reported Friday that current NASA plans call for no more than 19 shuttle flights before the fleet is retired in 2010: three launches in 2006 and four each year from 2007 through 2010. One shuttle flight will be reserved for a repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope while the rest will be to the ISS. The 18 ISS flights would allow for the launch of some international ISS modules, such as Europe's Columbus and Japan's Kibo modules, but keep other modules on the ground.

Related Links:

•  Florida Today article
•  Flight International article
•  Reuters article