Hubble Mission Will Lift Off October 8; Atlantis To Continue Flying

On Thursday, NASA officially adjusted the target launch dates for two space shuttle missions in 2008. Atlantis' STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope is now targeted for October 8, and Endeavour's STS-126 supply mission to the International Space Station has moved from October 16 to November 10.

As ANN reported earlier this month, the final servicing mission to Hubble was moved from August 28 due to a delay in deliveries of components, including the external fuel tanks, and the need to prepare Endeavour for a possible rescue mission approximately two weeks after STS-125 launches. Under the previous schedule, the fuel tank for that rescue mission -- designated STS-400 -- would not have been available in time.

Flights beyond STS-126 will be assessed and coordinated with NASA's international partners at a later date. Both shuttle and station program officials will continue to consider options for the remainder of the shuttle flights, with those target launch dates being subject to change.

Earlier plans had called for Atlantis to be retired following the Hubble mission, as the vehicle is due to undergo a major overhaul following STS-125 -- only to be retired along with the rest of the fleet in September 2010. Atlantis was to serve as a parts mule if needed for the two remaining shuttles in the fleet.

However, the Shuttle Program has since determined Atlantis will be assigned two additional flights after the Hubble mission, in order to more efficiently fly the remaining shuttle flights using the three orbiters in sequence. This new plan might also be due to optimism on NASA's part, that a bill now in the House of Representatives to add three missions to the shuttle schedule -- and remove the 2010 retirement deadline -- will be approved by lawmakers.

The third orbiter, Discovery, is scheduled to lift off May 31 on a construction mission to the ISS.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/shuttle