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Space Shuttles Survive Hurricane Frances

Posted by timothy on from the frances-doesn't-call-doesn't-write-just-storms dept.

maggeth writes "In an update to a previous story, NASA damage assessment teams have begun work at the Kennedy Space Center, which was hit by Hurricane Frances. It appears that there was no damage to any of the space shuttles, according to the first word from NASA. Although more details still are to be released, we know that Frances died down in strength before making landfall, limiting the amount of wind damage." Reader knix writes, though, that "It looks like NASA did have quite a bit of damage from Hurricane Frances," pointing to an AP story which adds some detail, and noting that besides a knocked over Mercury-Redstone rocket, the massive VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) had 1000 panels missing after the storm hit. According to the AP, "The holes left by the missing panels created 40,000 square feet of 'open window' on two sides of the building."

6 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. DDDAAAAMMMNN by ghettoboy22 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    40,000sqf = almost an entire ACRE!!!!

    wow

    1. Re:DDDAAAAMMMNN by antikarma · · Score: 3, Interesting

      DDDAAAAAMMMNNN!!!

      40,000sqf = almost 10 sq. rods!!!!

      Where's my +5 Interesting?

  2. NASA maintenance by glazed · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From what I've heard the maintenance budget probably won't even cover replacing the torn off panels.

  3. Rotten news. by Shivetya · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Manned spaceflight is essentially over as the shuttles survived and will further suck money and life out of NASA. As for losing the shuttles being the end of the space program I would disagree. Sure having them means we have "manned missions" but they also put us at an increased risk of having NO MORE. If one more shuttle goes, then what???

    It is an amazingly engineered vehicle, over engineered. It also is nothing more than a jobs program for NASA and a bunch of support companies who all are based in areas with important Congressmen shoveling money for votes.

    Kill the shuttle, I just wish nature had so an accident didn't. It would be better to have 3 orbiters for display around than the country than 2 or less.

    --
    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
  4. And Ivan is on the way by blockhouse · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So the space shuttles survived Frances, huh? Good. But now, another hurricane looks to be barrelling down on them. Hurricane Ivan looks like it might be making an appearance in Florida next weekend. Shoot, at this rate, one hurricane per week, the shuttles may have a dozen or so hurricanes by the time hurricane season is over. If they can survive all of that, I'll be really impressed.

  5. Re:NASA needed a facelift anyway... by AKAImBatman · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Maybe you haven't been paying attention. The only thing that would be FORCED if we lost an orbiter or two, would be the cessation of all funds related to manned space travel. Congress hates our expenditure on NASA. If you give them a reason, they WILL shut it down, and it will never restart.

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