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space shuttle: Return to flight

After more than two years without a space-shuttle mission, in July 2005 NASA returned to human space flight with the launch of the Discovery. But not all went as planned. Some debris was spotted falling from the craft, leading NASA to do further repairs. The second 'return to flight' mission successfully launched 4 July 2006.

After the disaster NASA faced when the Columbia shuttle blew up in February 2003, getting back on the horse is a crucial step for the US space programme, and an important advance towards putting people back on the Moon, and maybe on Mars.

Here Nature news highlights NASA's return to flight. Find news and links below, along with our interactive feature.

Interactive feature: text by Mark Peplow, graphic by Anthony Gray, pictures © NASA

FIRST LAUNCH: 14:39 GMT, Tues 26 July 2005


	FAQ Home again NASA celebrates Discovery's safe return, but shuttle programme still troubled. 9 August 2005

	SPECIAL Discovery's packed schedule Shuttle flight will test safety and get space station back on track. 8 July 2005					SPECIAL The long road to a safe launch Discovery has faced a difficult journey even before lift-off. 8 July 2005

	INTERVIEW Getting back on the horse Tony Reichhardt talks to former astronaut George 'Pinky' Nelson about flying the shuttle after an accident, and the future for NASA. 8 July 2005					SPECIAL Beyond the space shuttle Successors wait in the wings for the shuttles' retirement in 2010. 8 July 2005


SECOND LAUNCH: 14:38 eDT, Tues 4 July 2006

	Discovery lifts off Despite foam concerns, shuttle launch goes smoothly. 5 July 2006

THIRD LAUNCH: 11:14 EDT Sat 9 Sept 2006

Launch blog
Read diary reports from the launch site.

UPDATE - LAUNCHED!
Shuttle schedule besieged by delays
Sensor glitch keeps Atlantis grounded.
8 September 200 2006

IN FOCUS



	Human space flight The notion of human spaceflight has had a bumpy history, with some arguing that robots can do the job of exploration more quickly, cheaply and less dangerously. But for others there will never be a true substitute for human explorers. Here Nature news compiles all our coverage of humanity's trips to space. 8 July 2005
FROM THE ARCHIVE



	NEWS Spacewalk fixes shuttle problem Astronaut pulls out bulging tile filler by hand. 3 August 2005


EDITORIAL Station at a crossroads Frank international discussions need to start immediately if anything is to be salvaged from the space station, whose completion currently relies on the ailing space shuttle. 3 August 2005


EDITORIAL Station at a crossroads Frank international discussions need to start immediately if anything is to be salvaged from the space station, whose completion currently relies on the ailing space shuttle. 3 August 2005


NEWS More falling foam puts shuttle programme in serious doubt Fleet grounded as NASA seeks solutions. 3 August 2005


	NEWS Foam chunks burst NASA bubble There will be no more shuttle flights until debris problem is fixed. 28 July 2005


	NEWS Shuttle launch succeeds NASA gets Discovery off the ground. 26 July 2005


	NEWS NASA's Discovery shuttle grounded Faulty fuel sensor puts launch on hold. 8 July 2005


	Return to Flight - One Year's Progress: On 26 August 2003, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board released its assessment of the devastating space shuttle crash of 1 February, which claimed seven lives and brought the US human space flight programme to a jarring halt. One year on from the report, Nature news looks at the shuttle's long road to recovery, and its uncertain future. 20 August 2004



	Space Shuttle Disaster webfocus On 1 February 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia and all its crew were lost on re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. In this focus, Nature reports on all aspects of the disaster, including what it means for the space programme. Nature

EXTERNAL LINKS



	NASA: Return to Flight Return to Flight Task Group Columbia Accident Investigation Board NASA: Human Spaceflight

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