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The NASA administrator thanked the Stafford-Covey Task Force for their efforts in reviewing NASA's preparations to return the space shuttle to service.

The task force reviewed NASA's progress on meeting 15 safety recommendations in the wake of the Columbia disaster in February, 2003. While NASA did meet twelve of the goals, the task group found that the space agency has not fully met the final three.

The three remaining issues focus on eliminating debris during the launch; strengthening the orbiter from the impact of debris; and developing ways to inspect and repair the heat shield while in space.

Those last three were considered the most technically difficult of the recommendations offered. The task force recognized the effort NASA has made to try and fulfill them, but in recent weeks had been noted as saying they wouldn't likely do so.

Astronauts on the forthcoming STS-114 mission aboard the shuttle Discovery will test one of those recommendations by evaluating several in-space repair options while in orbit.

"We look like we're in pretty good shape," Michael Griffin told the House Science Committee. "Based on what I know now, we're ready to go."

Although NASA could delay the launch again, with the next window of opportunity coming in September, the agency seems committed to getting the July launch done. Shuttle managers will continue to conduct flight readiness reviews, with the first possible launch date of July 13 rapidly approaching.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.