( dpa ) - NASA gave the go-ahead Friday for the next shuttle launch as early as March 11, one of the quickest turn-around times in NASA history.
Sister shuttle Atlantis just returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on February 20 - part of a stepped- up launch rhythm as the US hurries to complete construction of the International Space Station by 2010 and retire the aging spacecraft fleet.
The green light came after a two-day flight readiness review.
The launch windows for the 16-day, five-spacewalk mission include March 11, 12 and 17.