Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-04-2016 05:37 PM
Hurricane Matthew is on a possible track to make landfall near NASA's Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Presently, both facilities are at heightened statuses, with the 45th Space Wing at Hurricane Condition (HURCON) IV and NASA at HURCON III. Port Canaveral has issued an order for all landside operations to evacuate by noon on Oct. 5.
According to Eric Berger at Ars Technica, the storm could damage some of the historic buildings at Kennedy Space Center.
Kennedy Space Center, built along the coast, was designed to withstand hurricanes. However, the latest run of the European model has raised concerns because it suggests that wind gusts as high as 130mph could move into the Florida coast near the space center.
Based on a government summary of Kennedy Space Center's hurricane plan, such winds could pose a threat to some of the historic structures at the space center. The Orbiter Processing Facilities are rated to withstand winds of 105 mph, while the iconic Vertical Assembly Building, Launch Control Center, launch pads, and other facilities can withstand 125mph winds. Newer facilities built after Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, were designed to withstand winds of 130mph or greater.
Cameras outside the International Space Station captured views of Hurricane Matthew on Monday (Oct. 3) as the orbital complex flew 250 miles over the storm.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-05-2016 10:22 AM
NASA release
Kennedy Space Center Closing in Advance of Hurricane Matthew
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is closing at 1 p.m. EDT today, Wednesday, Oct. 5, due to the approach of Hurricane Matthew. Across the spaceport, essential personnel are preparing facilities for the storm's arrival. Hurricane Matthew is expected to make its closest approach to the Cape Canaveral/Kennedy area overnight Thursday and into Friday morning, bringing with it the potential for heavy rain, storm surge and hurricane-force winds.
Once the storm has passed, center facilities and infrastructure will be assessed and employees will be cleared to return when it is safe to do so.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be closed Thursday, Oct. 6 and Friday, Oct. 7. Officials anticipate reopening Saturday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. after a thorough assessment of the property has been completed.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-05-2016 01:00 PM
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex release
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Close Due to Threat of Severe Weather
In anticipation of severe weather in Brevard County and to allow our employees time to make preparations at their homes, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be closed on Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7. Visitor Complex officials anticipate reopening Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. after a thorough assessment of the property has been completed.
Guests will not be permitted on Kennedy Space Center property. During this time:
Visitors will not be permitted onto visitor complex grounds.
Non-essential employees will be sent home.
Visitor complex employees that are scheduled to work October 6 and 7 should remain home or in a safe location.
Preparations at the visitor complex are well underway in anticipation of severe weather due to Hurricane Matthew. Staff members have been moving loose items indoors, securing tables, and protecting windows and doors.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-05-2016 01:04 PM
Buzz Aldrin on Twitter:
Hurricane Matthew has forced us out of my beach condo so I've evacuated to my Mission Director @Buzzs_xtina's house...
#HurricaneMatthew is headed our way. First one since I moved to Florida but at least we can monitor it from space. Thanks to @NASA.
posted 10-05-2016 03:49 PM
Weather forecasters are predicting that the area from 50 miles south to 50 miles north of the Cape will experience the worst hurricane damage in modern history. G_d help everyone in the path of this monster as they head inland for safety.
Hope that all cSers locally are safe and Ken Havekotte has everything enclosed on higher ground. Am afraid that the KSC rocket garden will be one big mess once this thing blows through. Praying that the storm will slide eastward enough to spare the Space Coast. We shall see.
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 10-05-2016 04:34 PM
Just got a Tropical Storm warning here in Spring Hill. We're outside the east coast by about 100 miles or so. Keeping a close eye on this one...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-05-2016 08:57 PM
From the Space Walk of Fame Museum:
With a possible Cat 4 hurricane heading our way, the museum is battening down its hatches and moving all critical artifacts and pieces to safe quarters. As a result, we will be closed from Thursday through Monday, reopening Tuesday.
Staff and volunteers are diligently following our hurricane procedures and it is a joy to have such dedicated and determined folks on board. Be safe everyone — we will see you on flip side!
Astro Rich Member
Posts: 133 From: Huntsville, Alabama Registered: Feb 2014
posted 10-05-2016 09:27 PM
What is the plan for the Atlantis building? Will they try to cover the orbiter?
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2016 04:15 AM
Potential storm surge:
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3118 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 10-06-2016 04:09 PM
quote:Originally posted by Cozmosis22: Am afraid that the KSC rocket garden will be one big mess once this thing blows through...
Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but can they lay the rocket exhibits (Redstone, Titan 2, etc.) flat on the ground and anchor them to prevent lateral movement? Clearly, if left upright, they will be blown down. (It has happened before!)
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2016 04:19 PM
Even if possible, it would take more time than they had advance notice to do so. The work to raise the Gemini-Titan in 2010 took a full day alone.
If I recall correctly, after the last storm, the Visitor Complex took additional actions to tie down the standing displays.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2016 04:32 PM
Zero sum anyway. The 6 foot plus storm surge forecast for the visitor center location will place at risk any horizontal ground based structures.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2016 04:51 PM
More views of the storm from the space station:
posted 10-06-2016 05:41 PM
Various aircraft have been moved away from the affected area on the Eastern seaboard.
Hurricane Matthew poses a devastating threat to life and property. Rickenbacker Air Force Base is doing its part as Matthew threatens the East Coast.
For the first time, it's sheltering several F-22 fighter jets from the eastern seaboard.
Grounded! Member
Posts: 367 From: Bennington, Vermont, USA Registered: Feb 2011
posted 10-06-2016 10:28 PM
One TV report today said that Satellite Beach would be greatly impacted by storm surge. Since everything east of I-95 is under order of evacuation, I wonder if Patrick Air Force Base has also been evacuated. If Google Earth is accurate, their elevation is much less than that of the Space Center.
Hopefully, all those along the treasure coast and space coast are out of harm's way, and KSC gets through this storm in one piece.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2016 10:45 PM
quote:Originally posted by Grounded!: I wonder if Patrick Air Force Base has also been evacuated.
Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were officially closed earlier today (Oct. 6). According to the 45th Space Wing's commander, Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith:
Command and control elements for both Patrick and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are together on Kennedy Space Center to ride out the storm. We also have additional command and control elements postured in Orlando and a Hurricane Recovery Teams for Patrick AFB prepositioned at Avon Park in Highlands Co., Fla.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2016 10:48 PM
From CBS's Bill Harwood, who is riding out the storm at the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center:
Awaiting the arrival of hurricane force winds along Florida's Space Coast; latest track shows a slight shift to the east, but too soon to know how that might affect the storm's impact on Cape Canaveral.
Sustained winds remain around 130 mph.
According to Mayor Tim Tumulty, the strongest winds and rains are expected in Cocoa Beach between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday (Oct. 6). Sunrise is at 7:18 a.m. EDT.
rjurek349 Member
Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 10-07-2016 06:27 AM
As of this writing, the Port Canaveral webcam is still operational, and the winds are intense — my thoughts and prayers with everyone in this storm's path.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 07:36 AM
From CBS's Bill Harwood:
Kennedy Space Center reports some power outages but no major damage; sustained winds of 103 mph expected, gusts higher.
107-mph gust recorded at the Cape; Matthew still a Cat-3 storm, although NWS forecaster here expects it to weaken.
NASA's George Diller reports sustained winds at 90 mph with gusts to 107 at KSC as Matthew passes by to the east. Diller says the eye of the storm was passing about 26 miles east of the tip of Cape Canaveral.
Rainfall totals at KSC are between 8 and 12 inches with a storm surge of 1 to 5 feet, much lower than expected. Brevard EOC reports 146,000 residents without power.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 08:48 AM
From Kennedy Space Center:
Matthew is passing KSC with sustained wind of 90 mph with gusts to 107. No reports of significant damage so far. Winds should calm some ~10:30 a.m.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 09:38 AM
From NASA:
9:45 a.m. EDT – Hurricane Matthew has now passed offshore from Cape Canaveral and is north of Kennedy Space Center. The wind is starting to decline but remains near tropical storm strength. However, until the wind is consistently below 50 knots a crew cannot be sent outside to begin a more thorough look at KSC. That is expected sometime this afternoon.
At this time there is observed to be limited roof damage to KSC facilities, water and electrical utilities services have been disrupted and there is scattered debris. Storm surge has been observed to be relatively minimal, limited to localized portions of the space center.
The Damage Assessment and Recovery Team will be brought in for its formal assessment Saturday morning.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 03:10 PM
From Florida Today's James Dean:
GOES-R launch to slip from Nov. 4 to date TBD. Not due to hurricane damage, but weather delaying delivery of mission's Atlas booster.
GOES-R spacecraft weathered storm well at Astrotech in Titusville, including switch to emergency generator after loss of power in Building 9.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 03:48 PM
quote:Originally posted by Astro Rich: What is the plan for the Atlantis building?
From the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:
Atlantis is fine; we had a team spend the night with her. Once it is clear to evaluate the rest of the visitor complex, we'll update.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 04:15 PM
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex release
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Re-Open Sunday, October 9
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will re-open Sunday, October 9, and resume its regular operating hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
The visitor complex will remain closed through Saturday, Oct. 8, to accommodate for debris cleanup and minor repairs sustained during Hurricane Matthew.
The main visitor complex attractions, exhibits, movies and programs, including Space Shuttle Atlantis, Astronaut Encounter, Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, 3D space films and more, will be available to the public. At this time, a timeframe for the opening of the Kennedy Space Center bus tours has not yet been established. The public is encouraged to check the website for tour and program updates.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 04:25 PM
From News Channel 13's Greg Pallone on Twitter:
Toppled by Hurricane Matthew, only surviving Navaho cruise missile on display outside Cape Canaveral AFS gate...
hlbjr Member
Posts: 475 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
posted 10-07-2016 10:03 PM
That image of my favorite missile exhibit, the Navaho, is just sad. I hope they can restore it.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-07-2016 10:42 PM
According to Jim Banke with the Air Force Space and Missile Museum Foundation:
Too early to say if it can be repaired and restored. But if it is/does, it will have to go indoors.
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 10-07-2016 10:52 PM
Do we know if the Rocket Garden made it through ok?
But in any case, given the magnitude of possible destruction had Matthew had just a little slightly different track to the west, I think we can say that we dodged a bullet!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2016 07:26 PM
Kennedy Space Center photo release
The Vehicle Assembly Building is seen during an aerial survey of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday (Oct. 8).
The survey was performed to identify structures and facilities that may have sustained damage from Hurricane Matthew as the storm passed to the east of Kennedy on Oct. 6 and 7, 2016. Officials determined that the center received some isolated roof damage, damaged support buildings, a few downed power lines, and limited water intrusion. Beach erosion also occurred, although the storm surge was less than expected.
A support building:
Launch Complex 39B:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2016 07:28 PM
Kennedy Space Center photo release
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:
NASA News Center (Spaceflight Now blockhouse and NASA Exchange trailer):
NASA TV Support Building at the NASA News Center:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2016 07:28 PM
Kennedy Space Center photo release
Central Campus construction site:
Damaged power lines:
The Beach House:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2016 07:28 PM
Kennedy Space Center photo release
Support building:
Display area in front of the Vehicle Assembly Building (Pad 39A orbiter access arm overturned):
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-08-2016 07:40 PM
quote:Originally posted by mode1charlie: Do we know if the Rocket Garden made it through ok?
From the photo above, the top of the Thor-Delta is missing.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 2912 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 10-09-2016 03:51 PM
Just wanted to thank all those cSers that have emailed, called, etc. to see how we had weathered Hurricane Matthew. Thanks to all of those that were concerned as we certainly appreciated all the prayers and support.
Theresa and I, along with some family members and friends, had planned to ride the storm out in our Merritt Island home. But once a mandatory evacuation order had been issued for Merritt Island and all the beach/coastal areas, our plans did change.
Instead of "riding out the storm" of a Category 4/5 hurricane strength, we headed over to Mims, FL, (north of Titusville) to a location about 17 miles inland from the coast.
After our arrival in Mims on Oct. 5, other safety factors had been considered, and we had decided on another location change before the hurricane was going to hit.
In the long run, though, our final stay had been in one of the nearby county public storm shelters.
Once the island bridge roadways had been cleared after the storm for safe travel, we got back home on the island in the early evening hours of Oct. 7.
Our barrier island home had sustained some major rooftop damage (a new roof is needed anyway) along with lots of tree and brush debris all over.
But Hurricane Matthew wasn't to be the so-called "one in a 500 year storm," as one weatherman had reported it to be.
Storms such as Matthew, as reported in our local newspaper, that approach the shore and ride the coastline tend to cause the worst beach erosion along with lots of other concerns.
But a variety of factors, such as timing of the hit, distance from the hurricane's eye, storm surge flooding, and the tidal cycle all played out to be a major contribution for Matthew not becoming a worst-case scenario as many had thought it could be.
A closer pass to the Cape area, about 20 miles or less, could have sent surge 12 feet or higher, instead of 3-4 feet when Matthew's core passed offshore the Florida Space Coast.
After all was said and done, though, we had indeed truly been blessed! Once again the Lord had protected us from another suppose-to-be monster incoming hurricane strike, but we do feel so sad for the lost of lives and tremendous damages in Haiti, the Bahamas, Cuba and Jamaica. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those people and those elsewhere effected along the whole eastern areas of our state, GA, and the Carolinas.
Chuckster01 Member
Posts: 873 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Jan 2014
posted 10-10-2016 04:56 AM
Initial survey of the Space Walk of Fame's main museum building shows minor roof damage. We have a roof leak in the Mercury room.
Fortunately all the artifacts were moved out before the storm and the displays where all covered in plastic, so there is no damage to any artifacts. We are going to try and get a roofer out to look at the damage this week if one can be found.
Mike Dixon Member
Posts: 1397 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
posted 10-10-2016 08:52 AM
Ken, glad you're safe and well and all the best to those affected. Bless everyone.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2016 03:29 PM
From Stephen Smith (cS: SpaceKSCBlog) on Twitter (this is the Mercury-Redstone at the Pass and ID on 405; the Mercury-Redstone at LC-5 is also still standing):
The Mercury-Redstone at @NASAKennedy is missing some paint, but otherwide intact and stable. This morning's picture.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 10-10-2016 04:17 PM
Looking at the KSCVC photo, I do not see the crew access arm from Apollo that was at the front of the Saturn 1B. Where as it been moved since July? I see the circles it rested on.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
The Apollo access arm had been moved into storage just before the storm. It's fine.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 10-11-2016 02:24 PM
We have comm back! We have been without Internet and cell service since Saturday morning. With the cell tower in our area still out of service, we are on our DSL service which is back up. We are still without power but our generator is on hour 84 and running. The hope is to have power back tomorrow.
Our house as well as the Kollection has not seen any damage and the ASF space shuttle in the yard (done by Tim Gagnon) did not lift off in the high winds here in the Savannah area.
Lots of clean up needed in the area but Houston we have no problems.
posted 10-04-2016 05:37 PM
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