NASA could resume space flight in fall

NASA is making plans to return the space shuttle to orbit as early as this fall and has instructed engineers to be prepared to make any "corrective actions" recommended by the board now investigating the Columbia tragedy, the Associated Press reported.

William Readdy, NASA's associate administrator for space flight, issued a memo this week instructing agency officials to organize a team to plan for quickly making changes in the space shuttle-or its operations-so that the craft would be quickly ready to fly.

"The team will prepare for a safe return to flight as soon as practicable," the March 12 memo said. "As a goal, the SSP (Space Shuttle Program) shall plan for corrective actions and reviews which support a launch opportunity as early as the fall of 2003."

Readdy said that NASA will be guided by the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, which is studying the factors involved in the Feb. 1 destruction of Columbia in which the seven crew members perished.