Posted: Sun, Aug 7, 2005, 12:55 PM ET (1655 GMT)
Top NASA officials said Friday that they were still planning to launch the shuttle Atlantis in September, albeit later than previously planned, despite an ongoing investigation into foam shedding during the launch of Discovery last month. NASA administrator Michael Griffin told reporters Friday at the Johnson Space Center that he was still intent on planning to launch Atlantis during the September launch window, and would continue launch preparations until the ongoing investigation into foam loss precluded a launch during that window. Space station program manager Bill Gerstenmaier did note, though, that the launch had been pushed back from September 9, the opening of the launch window, until September 22, because of delays launching Discovery. The September launch window remains open only until September 26; after that, the only other opportunity launch Atlantis in 2005 will be during a brief window in early November.

Related Links:

•  Washington Post article
•  Houston Chronicle article
•  SPACE.com article