Early Orbiter Retirement Still Under Consideration

Space shuttle Atlantis likely to retire first, Orlando Sentinel

“Program manager Wayne Hale told an “all-hands” meeting at Kennedy Space Center on Friday that instead of putting Atlantis through a major overhaul scheduled for 2008, it might make more sense to stop flying the ship. Instead, it could be used to provide parts for Discovery and Endeavour.”

NASA and White House Discuss Early Shuttle Fleet Retirement, SpaceRef (July 2005)

“NASA is considering retiring a Space Shuttle orbiter in 2007 and beginning modifications to one Shuttle launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center under a plan now being reviewed at NASA headquarters, according to senior agency sources.”