Space Shuttle Schedule Reduced |
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Written by spacetravel.org
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Tuesday, 21 June 2005 13:07 |
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Dr. Michael Griffin, NASAs new administrator, announced on June 15, 2005 that the space shuttle will not be able to complete the 28 flights that are planned before it is retired in 2010. This will have a strong effect on the International Space Station, which depends on the shuttle fleet to ferry crew members, supplies and equipment. Study groups at NASA are looking at alternatives for assembling the station, which is the shuttles primary job. They will consult with the White House before presenting details to their international partners in the space station project, including the European Space agency, Russia, Canada and Japan.
The shuttles have been grounded since the Columbia and its crew were lost in February 2003. NASA is studying how many missions the shuttles can undertake once they resume flight, as early as next month. Dr. Griffin has stated that there can between 15 and 23 flights. He has declared a goal of having a replacement for the shuttle ready shortly after its retirement. Previously a gap of four to five years was planned. Dr. Griffin says that the United States will develop the replacement alone, to insure that the US has unfettered, independent access to space.
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