spacetoday.net: NASA confirms next shuttle flight delayed to March 2005

Posted: Thu, Feb 19, 2004, 10:13 PM ET (0313 GMT)
STS-107: launch (NASA/KSC)

NASA announced late Thursday that the next space shuttle launch has been delayed six months until March 2005. In a statement, the agency said that more time is needed to prepare the shuttle fleet for a return to flight in accordance with the recommendations issued last year by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Outstanding issues that led to the delay include studies of foam falling off the shuttle's external tank, development of a camera boom that would be used to inspect the shuttle for damage while in orbit, and analysis of the condition of the rudder speed brake actuators on the orbiters. NASA also said that STS-114, the first post-Columbia flight, would use the shuttle Discovery; it had previously been slated for Atlantis, with no reason given for the switch. STS-114 is now scheduled for launch in a window between March 6 and April 18, 2005. At the same time STS-114 is prepared for launch, NASA will in parallel make preparations for a backup mission, designated STS-300, that would launch on a rescue mission within 70 days if needed. That mission would use the shuttle Atlantis and members of the STS-115 crew, the third post-Columbia flight.