NASA says shuttle will re-launch in July

WASHINGTON -- U.S. astronauts will blast back into space in a matter of weeks, the head of NASA said Tuesday, despite a new, critical report questioning the safety of this exploration. The optimistic assessment from NASA administrator Michael Griffin came after a task force review said Monday that the agency failed to meet key safety recommendations that came about as a result of the Columbia tragedy. Top shuttle managers are conducting a flight readiness review this week in hopes of launching the shuttle Discovery as early as July 13.