Shuttle announcement imminent

A shuttle news update by program manager Wayne Hale only has changed to allow Administrator Mike Griffin to make whatever announcement is coming. Space agency officials are expected today to talk about the implications of the extensive wind-tunnel testing that was aimed at proving whether changes made to the external tank's foam insulation after last July's return to flight mission were safe enough to go ahead with a second post-Columbia flight. Earlier this week, we reported NASA's growing confidence that the wind tunnel test results and resulting changes (if necessary) were doable in time to fly in the window that opens July 1. We'll update you with the specifics of NASA's announcement here as soon as possible after Griffin starts speaking.