Nasa schedules final launches
2008-07-08 21:49
Washington - The US space agency Nasa issued a schedule on Monday for the final 10 shuttle programme missions in 2009 and 2010.
The list includes one launch to the Hubble Space Telescope, seven missions to continue construction on the orbiting International Space Station and two unspecified flights available for unspecified purposes.
The ageing shuttle fleet, which has twice suffered the catastrophic loss of orbiters, continues to be plagued by frequent delays and technical problems.
Nasa has committed to retiring the remaining shuttles in 2010, with plans for newly designed, reusable spacecraft to go into operation a few years later.
Nasa has shuttle missions already planned for October 8 and November 10.
The newly scheduled 2009 missions would launch on February 12, May 15, July 30, October 15 and December 10.
The 2010 schedule would see lift-offs on February 11, April 8 and May 31. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA