Space shuttle to be delayed due to spill

Space agency officials said yesterday more than 250 of the space shuttle's vital heat-resistant tiles were damaged by a spill of toxic rocket propellant. The accident will delay Columbia's scheduled Oct. 9 launch for at least two weeks.

Sixty-seven of the tiles came off from the rocket ship shortly after the mishap Tuesday. An agency spokesman said workers pulled more tiles from the right side nose area during an inspection.