Global jet stream conditions have prompted Steve Fossett to slightly alter his round-the-world-plus flight plan but the American adventurer still aims to take off from Kennedy Space Center in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer today.
The experimental aircraft remains scheduled to depart the three-mile shuttle runway at KSC between 6:41 a.m. and 7:06 a.m. The minor changes to Fossett route will take advantage of the best available jet streams, which create the strong tailwinds that are critical to the flight.
Fossett aims to fly around the world and then across the Atlantic Ocean a second time before heading for a landing at an airport east of London. The 26,160-mile trip would be the longest flight in aviation history.
Fossett said the fuel leak that grounded the GlobalFlyer Tuesday has been repaired.
"The fuel leak is fixed and we believe the worldwide wind pattern is acceptable," Fossett said late Tuesday. "I hope to be flying in the morning."
Space news and analysis from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral 
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