NASA and Shuttle to Part Ways

NASA sets date for final shuttle mission in 2010

HOUSTON — NASA has tentatively set the final space shuttle mission for May 31, 2010, four months before the shuttle fleet retires.

NASA has 10 missions remaining for the shuttle fleet, which President Bush ordered to retire by Sept. 30, 2010. The schedule announced Monday includes five flights this year, five in 2009 and three in 2010.

The space agency has already begun work on developing a new spacecraft to send astronauts back to the moon.