NASA Moves Closer to RTF
7 December 2004: NASA Says Shuttle Is On Track for May Flight, Washington Post
“Space Shuttle Program Manager Bill Parsons said, however, that having a fully tested and certified repair method “is not a requirement” for the first flight. “Right now I believe we would fly with whatever capability we have at that time,” he said.”
7 December 2004: NASA Seeks Methods to Repair Shuttles in Flight, Reuters
“We are going to fly when we determine the vehicle is ready to fly,” [Wayne] Hale said. “We’re not going to succumb to some kind of emotional schedule pressure because we picked a date and ringed it on a calendar and we think our reputation depends on launching on that date.”