NASA’s Implementation Plan for Space Shuttle Return to Flight and Beyond will be released Tuesday, March 22. The updated plan will be available on line Tuesday at 9 a.m. EST at:

http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight

A media teleconference is scheduled at 2 p.m. EST to discuss the plan, with:

  • Michael Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator International Space Station and Space Shuttle Programs
  • Bryan O’Connor, Safety and Mission Assurance chief
  • Bill Parsons, Space Shuttle program manager
  • John Casper, Management Integration and Planning

To participate, reporters must call Allard Beutel or Erica Hupp (202/358-4769/1237) by noon EST, Tuesday. The teleconference will be audio streamed live on the Internet at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

The implementation plan is periodically updated. The plan demonstrates the agency’s progress in safely returning Space Shuttles to flight and implementing the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Pervious versions of the plan are archived on NASA’s Return to Flight Web site.