Posted: Wed, Apr 23, 2003, 11:11 PM ET (0311 GMT)
A key NASA official said Wednesday that the shuttle will not fly again until at least early 2004, somewhat later than what NASA had earlier been targeting. Michael Kostelnik, NASA deputy associate administrator for the space shuttle and space station programs, said that NASA was looking at a return to flight in the first three months of 2004. Kostelnik is the first NASA official to openly suggest that a return to flight in 2003 is unlikely; NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe and other officials have previously said that they are targeting a return to flight in the fall, although that date would depend on the work needed to address recommendations to be made this summer by the independent investigation panel. Returning the shuttle to flight in early 2004 is critical for space station resupply, Kostelnik said, because the station will be running low of some critical supplies by the end of 2003. Russia is scheduled to launch Progress resupply missions to ISS in June, September, and January, although Kostelnik said NASA is trying to get Russia to move up the January resupply mission.

Related Links:

•  AFP article
•  Reuters article