NASA: Money key to more shuttle flights

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s space shuttle manager said Tuesday it wouldn’t be hard to add more shuttle flights. The real question is money.

Program manager John Shannon said it costs $200 million a month to keep the fleet flying.

Four more shuttle missions are planned before the aircraft are to be retired this fall. Some in Congress, though, are pushing for additional flights.

Last month, President Obama killed NASA’s Constellation program, which would have created a shuttle successor.

Mr. Shannon said NASA already has a fuel tank and set of boosters for one additional flight. He said getting other shuttle parts would not be a problem.