The mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery is creating a lot of interest among people. The flight is crewed by seven astronauts who will spend nine days looping about the Earth. Among them is US senator John Glenn, aged 77. The main attraction of the mission has been Mr Glenn's quest to study the effect of weightlessness on the body of an older person. Once in orbit, Glenn will swallow a pill that is, in fact, a thermometer and transmitter to gauge his internal temperature. Electrodes attached to his head and body will monitor his sleep patterns.