NASA aims to launch the next space shuttle in May 2006, after fixing a persistent problem with falling debris -- the same problem that doomed shuttle Columbia and grounded the remaining three-ship fleet, Reuters reported. The timing of any return to flight depends on how fast NASA's hurricane-damaged Michoud plan in New Orleans can get back to full strength, space agency officials said. The shuttles' massive external tanks are assembled at Michoud, and at this point only 25 percent of employees are working. "It appears that the May launch window is something that we can begin to work toward now," said Wayne Hale, the shuttle program manager. That window runs from May 3 to May 23, he said, stressing that the flight has not been officially scheduled. NASA had earlier suggested a March launch would be possible. The shuttles have been grounded since August, after a large chunk of foam insulation fell from Discovery's external tank during launch. The falling foam caused no damage to Discovery, the first shuttle to launch since Columbia's fatal flight in 2003. --more 2222 Local Time 1922 GMT
