Following a launch readiness meeting today, NASA managers have decided to postpone launch of Columbia on Mission STS-80 to Tuesday, November 19th.
The reason for the postpoment is predicted bad weather that is expected to be in the vicinity of Kennedy Space Center for the next several days. Weather forecasters are calling for improved conditions by early next week.
The STS-80 countdown will proceed to the T-11 hour mark where it will remain in an extended hold. No technical issues are currently being worked by the launch team. The STS-80 crew will remain at KSC.
The launch window on November 19 opens at 2:53 p.m. EST and extends for 2 1/ 2 hours. The mission duration is planned for 16 days. An on-time launch and nominal mission will have Columbia and her crew returning to KSC on December 5 at 7:37 a.m. EST.