http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=VHGKS5Y4UMXVECRBAEKSFFA?type=scienceNews&storyID=2439434 or http://makeashorterlink.com/?T532214F3
Excerpt: NASA Looks to Keep Shuttles Flying Until 2022 Mon March 24, 2003 04:07 PM ET By Deborah Zabarenko
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Even as the fatal mid-air break-up of shuttle Columbia is being investigated, NASA said on Monday it is exploring ways to keep the remaining three space shuttles flying until 2022.
The U.S. space agency's long-term plans call for the shuttle fleet to be active at least until a "next-generation launch technology" -- which is in the earliest stages -- makes its first flight some 12 years from now.
In one scenario, shuttles would continue to work to extend the life of the International Space Station until 2022 and beyond, said Michael Kostelnik, who heads the space station and shuttle programs at NASA.
"We will lay out an alternative future that has a lot of things we should do ... to make sure we do the right things to keep the three remaining shuttles that we have safe and reliable and meeting the mission as we understand it," Kostelnik said at a briefing.
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