Shuttles May Fly Without Heat Shield Fix

Astronauts may be back in space before NASA has a reliable fix for damaged tiles on the shuttle’s heat shield, USA Today reported Tuesday.

Program manager William Parsons told the newspaper NASA was working on a repair plan, but added future missions would continue even if a plan were not in place.

Parsons said changes in the shuttle’s design would avoid holes by making sure foam will not fall off the fuel tank.

NASA’s three remaining shuttles have been grounded since a hole about 6 inches wide caused gases to melt the shuttle Columbia’s interior in February 2003. All seven crewmembers were killed.

Flights may resume next May or June, the newspaper reported.