NASA has delayed the resumption of space shuttle flights from March until at least May, the US space agency said Friday.
In a statement, the agency said the postponement was forced by the effects of four major hurricanes this year on its flight centers.
Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne closed down NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for about nine days and damaged several facilities, and Hurricane Ivan caused shorter closures at several other facilities, said William Readdy, NASA's associate administrator for space operations.
"I am proud of our shuttle team for taking good care of our orbiters during this terrible storm season. I am pleased they are taking the time to make a careful assessment of the hurricanes' impact. Their thoroughness will help us make the right decision," he said.
NASA has been working to modify the remaining three shuttles to avoid a recurrence of the Columbia tragedy.
Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on February 1, 2003, killing its seven crew members. The investigating commission blamed the disaster on damage to the shuttle's left wing resulting from the impact of insulation foam breaking off from the main fuel tank during liftoff.
