NASA sets remaining space shuttle launches

HOUSTON, July 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it's selected target launch dates for the remaining eight space shuttle missions for 2009 and 2010.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration missions include one flight to the Hubble Space Telescope, seven assembly flights to the International Space Station and two station contingency flights, planned to be completed before the end of fiscal year 2010.

The agency previously selected Oct. 8 and Nov. 10 as launch dates for Atlantis' STS-125 mission to service Hubble and Endeavour's STS-126 mission to supply the space station and service truss supports that hold equipment and solar arrays.

NASA said the target dates -- subject to change -- reflect its commitment to complete assembly of the station and to retire the shuttle fleet as transition continues to the new launch vehicles, including Ares and Orion.

The final space shuttle mission is to be launched May 31, 2010.

The updated shuttle launch manifest is available at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html.