NASA Grounds Shuttle

Yet again, NASA's shuttle fleet -- or what's left of them -- have been grounded. This time until 2006, due to the continuing problems NASA is encountering with the foam insulation on the external fuel tank. It was a similar problem that caused Columbia to break apart as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere. NASA then went on to spend over $200 million in two years trying to prevent the foam insulation from coming off -- all for naught it would appear.

NASA's new focus on the shuttle is to ensure that the last components of the space station can be lifted to orbit before the shuttle fleet retires in 2010. Hopefully by then, replacements will be flying -- but don't hold your breath.