The launch of the Space Shuttle STS80/Columbia mission, scheduled for 8 November, is likely to be delayed because the outer thermal panes of two front-cockpit windows need replacing. Wear on the 150mm-thick panes, which have been flown on seven and eight missions respectively, showed that they were "prone to fracture" during the period of maximum dynamic pressure, 60s after launch, says NASA. The STS80 will carry the Wake Shield space-processing free-flyer and the oldest person in space, Story Musgrave, aged 61, who will be carrying out a record sixth Shuttle mission.
Source: Flight International