Statement from NASA Administrator Michael Griffin

Statement from NASA Administrator

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Michael Griffin on today's final public meeting of the Stafford-Covey Task Group.

"The independent Return to Flight Task Group, led by veteran astronauts Thomas Stafford and Richard Covey, has performed a valuable public service. Given the level of complexity of the issues involved, I would certainly expect to hear, and I welcome different points of view. As an engineer, I know that a vigorous discussion of these complex issues can make us smarter. I anticipate, and expect, a healthy debate in our upcoming Flight Readiness Review for the Space Shuttle Return to Flight mission, STS-114. We appreciate this input."

Managers from the Space Shuttle program will speak to reporters following this week's Flight Readiness Review at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

For more information about the Stafford-Covey Task Group and the flight of STS-114, visit the Internet at: www.returntoflight.org and nasa.gov/returntoflight - end -

Dean Acosta/Bob Jacobs Headquarters, Washington, (Phone: 202/358-1400/1600), June 27, 2005, RELEASE: 05-165 more at NASA and Michael Griffin