NASA intends to resume space shuttle flights later in July, saying that the primary safety concerns expressed by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board have been addressed. In this hour, we'll talk about the agency's progress towards a return to flight. Has the shuttle program been made safer? And what challenges face NASA beyond just getting the shuttle off the ground again?

Plus, we'll take a look at a science mission that seems made for the big screen. On July 4th, scientists intend to smash a 320 kg probe into the surface of Comet Tempel -1 as it hurtles by, excavating a crater more than 25 m deep and 100 m in diameter. They hope that by analyzing what comes off the comet in the collision, they will better be able to understand what comets are made of, how a comet's interior is structured, and how comets change over time. We'll get a preview of the fireworks. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Donald Yeomans
Deep Impact Co-investigator and Senior Research Scientist
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

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George Abbey
Co-author, "U.S. Space Policy: Challenges & Opportunities" (American Academy of Arts & Sciences)
Former Director, Johnson Space Center
Senior Fellow in Space Policy, James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy
Rice University
Houston, Texas

John Logsdon
Director, Space Policy Institute
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
George Washington University
Washington, DC

Richard Harris
Science Correspondent
National Public Radio
Washington, DC

Books/Articles Discussed:

Return to Flight Task Group Final Report

United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth