Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-06-2017 01:18 PM
Hurricane Irma is forecast to make landfall on the southeastern Florida coast late Saturday night into early Sunday morning (Sep. 9-10) as category 4 or 5 hurricane. From Kennedy Space Center on Twitter:
We're prepared for Hurricane Irma. Nature has no issue destroying life. Prepare in advance if you live in the path.
denali414 Member
Posts: 593 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 09-06-2017 01:27 PM
What a tough two weeks for two great states in Texas and now Florida and the space program. I really hope this storm either turns or in the least loses some of its power.
I remember the damage caused by Andrew, and they say this one is more powerful. I landed at the Miami airport the day after the storm and have never in my life seen anything like that. Looked like the world's largest bulldozer just cut swaths of land and flattened all in the path of the wind bands. Just nothing but total destruction on our way to the Florida keys.
Once again my heart and prayers go out to all in Florida, be safe and careful to all!
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 307 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 09-06-2017 03:25 PM
Hope KSC as well as Atlantis will weather through Irma; would hate to see anything bad happen...
Has KSC weathered through past hurricanes, besides Frances in 2004?
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 09-07-2017 07:52 AM
Matthew last September, but it was not this strong.
posted 09-07-2017 10:17 AM
For updates from the National Weather Service for the Cape Canaveral area go here.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-07-2017 10:28 AM
From Kennedy Space Center:
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is closing Friday, Sept. 8 through at least Monday, Sept. 11, due to the approach of Hurricane Irma. The storm currently is expected to make its closest approach to the Kennedy/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station area during the weekend. Currently a Category 5 hurricane, Irma could potentially bring heavy rain and strong winds to the spaceport.
Essential personnel will make final preparations to secure center facilities and infrastructure. After the storm has left the area, Kennedy's Damage Assessment and Recovery Team will evaluate all center facilities and infrastructure for damage. The spaceport will reopen after officials determine it is safe for employees to return.
From Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:
Due to preparations for Hurricane Irma, the last KSC Bus Tour departure will be at 12:00 p.m. today.
Special Interest Tours departing after 12:00 p.m. are canceled and guests will receive a refund of their ticket purchase. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-07-2017 10:53 AM
Brevard County's Office of Emergency Management has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Merritt Island and the barrier islands beginning 3 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 8).
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 09-07-2017 01:30 PM
A shout out to cSer Ken Havekotte and all others in the path of Irma to stay safe and hope they and their families make it unscathed through the storm.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-07-2017 07:33 PM
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be closed Friday, Sept. 8 through Tuesday, Sept. 12 due to Hurricane Irma.
We anticipate reopening Wednesday, Sept. 13. Check back for updates.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-08-2017 08:25 AM
United Launch Alliance's Atlas V launch of the NROL-42 mission scheduled for Sept. 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base has been postponed as a result of Irma.
The decision to delay launch is based on the current forecasting for Hurricane Irma. Some critical members of the ULA launch team that support launch on both coasts are returning to Florida due to the threat from Hurricane Irma which is currently forecast to impact the Cape Canaveral area early Monday morning. The safety of our employees and their families are at the forefront of this decision. Hurricane preparations and hardware securing are underway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
A new launch date for the NROL-42 mission will be determined once the impacts of the storm are understood.
posted 09-08-2017 02:42 PM
Good to see John Zarrella working for the Weather Channel. He has been reporting from various seaside locations in Cocoa Beach today. Remember him from years past covering space shuttle missions when he was the principle correspondent for CNN.
Apparently he decided to settle there in the Cape Canaveral area?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 09-08-2017 06:20 PM
So, Irma is currently modeled to come towards me in the Tampa area. But much weaker. I am still not looking forward to it. But I have food, water, flashlights, batteries and books to read. I am going to my friend's house so I am not alone. And he has a generator.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-08-2017 07:45 PM
Sounds like you are in good shape to ride out the storm.
I hope the same is true for all cS'ers (and others) in its path, whether you have evacuated or are hunkering down. Please, when safe and as possible, check in after Irma has passed.
Jonnyed Member
Posts: 396 From: Dumfries, VA, USA Registered: Aug 2014
posted 09-08-2017 08:10 PM
Folks with generators, remember to keep them as far away from indoor access as practicable when you are operating them — don't get CO poisoning.
Good luck during the storm and after — we're thinking of you.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 267 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 09-09-2017 03:10 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with those of you in the path of Irma (especially those in the space community). It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "May the Force be with you."
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 09-09-2017 07:11 AM
We have been watching this one move east then west. At this point we expect wind and rain like Matthew was last year. We are 40 miles inland of the coast so storm surge is not an issue.
We now have two generators since we had our original one fixed after finding out before Matthew hit it stopped working.
Praying for all those in the path.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 09-09-2017 08:07 PM
So, this morning I woke up to the news to expect a Cat 3 storm in Tampa. I have moved to my friend's house and boarded up. I brought my autographs and some of my favorite patches and a few models. If anything, they cheer me up. If my apartment goes, which I expect at Cat 3, I get to start over. But, I will be alive. I hope.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 267 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 09-10-2017 04:35 AM
Looks like the west coast of Florida is going to take the biggest hit, though all of Florida will suffer. Hang in there guys!
uk spacefan Member
Posts: 168 From: London Registered: Jan 2007
posted 09-10-2017 04:57 AM
Stay safe everyone - our thoughts and prayers are for you all to be alive and well after this.
moorouge Member
Posts: 2454 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009
posted 09-10-2017 09:50 AM
For those outside the U.S., one can watch live reports from ABC, CNN and other local stations on YouTube.
As has been said previously - if affected stay safe.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-10-2017 10:33 AM
From Kennedy Space Center:
Hurricane Irma's initial winds of 39 mph expected to arrive at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday. Eye forecast to be closest (139 miles) 2 a.m. Monday.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1042 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 09-11-2017 07:35 AM
I read some tweets such as this about a possible tornado/waterspout near SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 yesterday. Any confirmation?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-11-2017 12:34 PM
Excerpt from a message by Kennedy Space Center director Bob Cabana to the center's employees (via KSC Emergency Management):
Well, we made it through the worst of the storm. Now comes the hard part: exercising safety and caution as we clean up. We did an outstanding job preparing for this monster storm; now let’s perform as well as we clean up from it.
The center is currently without water, and power was just recently restored. The Ride Out team is going to remain in place today with augmentation from the Damage Assessment and Recovery Team team as we start to inspect and safe the center. Much of the surrounding community remains without power and water, and there are trees and power lines down throughout. The Center will remain closed at least through Tuesday while the Damage Assessment and Recovery Team completes its work.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-11-2017 01:27 PM
Ken Kremer shared this photo of the damage to the pier at Space View Park on Facebook:
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3118 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 09-11-2017 03:53 PM
It seems that one community's salvation is another community's disaster. It is very difficult for concerned cSers in Britain and Ireland to comprehend the sheer destructive power of any hurricane, let alone monsters like Harvey and Irma. We shouldn't moan so much about our own comparatively benign weather.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 09-11-2017 04:23 PM
Well, everything survived, but pretty beaten up. A lot of trees down in my area, and we have been doing a lot of chainsaw work today. I have finally found something I like about hurricanes, the way friends and neighbors rush out to help each other when a tree lands on someone's roof.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-11-2017 06:52 PM
The Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama will be closed on Tuesday (Sept. 12) due to the ongoing impact of Irma.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will also be closed.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 307 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 09-11-2017 06:52 PM
Oh Lord almighty, what a terrible mess; hope the Space View Park pier can be repaired in time for the launches of the manned commercial crew vehicles, as well as the Orion spacecraft.
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 09-11-2017 11:39 PM
Any word on the Rocket Park at KSC Visitor Center?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-12-2017 05:46 AM
According to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Facebook page:
We're still assessing the status of the visitor complex, but we seem to have weathered Hurricane Irma without major damage, including Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Rocket Garden.
With power and water utility issues on Florida's Space Coast, we do not have a reopening date. Look for more updates as we continue to assess current conditions.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 09-12-2017 08:21 AM
We have power and internet back! All safe here, no damage.
p51 Member
Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 09-12-2017 11:10 AM
I have friends in Central Florida, none lost more than a few tree limbs. Some didn't even lose power and those who did have their power back on now.
My parents in Tallahassee (not far from where CC Williams crashed in that T-38) got their power back in less than 24 hours. The power companies were clearly prepared to handle this.
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will also be closed.
Nobody I know there has responded to my emails, I hope it didn't hit the area too badly.
I know that the vertical Saturn V mockup there is heavily anchored, but I have always wondered what would happen if a really bad storm hit it. I assume that the Pathfinder orbiter mockup would be heavily damaged in a really bad storm, considering what the outside is made of (I would think the ET and SRBs would weather any kind of storm, though).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-12-2017 02:29 PM
Per NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center will re-open and resume normal operations on Wednesday (Sept. 13). Kennedy Space Center will remain closed due to the continuing water outage.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will remain closed until water service is restored. (No word yet on when the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will reopen.)
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-12-2017 09:54 PM
NASA photo release
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is seen during an aerial survey of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 12, 2017. The survey was performed to identify structures and facilities that may have sustained damage from Hurricane Irma as the storm passed Kennedy on September 10, 2017.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 09-13-2017 07:45 AM
That doesn't look too bad at first glance. A little bit of water in the back parking lots, but the rockets look good.
MarylandSpace Member
Posts: 1336 From: Registered: Aug 2002
posted 09-13-2017 07:38 PM
Is the KSC Moon Tree ok?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-14-2017 01:53 AM
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex remains closed, though this aerial photo seems to show the moon tree still standing.
Kennedy Space Center will remain closed through Friday (Sept. 15).
The center's damage assessment and recovery team has completed a 90 percent review of the center and continues to recover key systems throughout Kennedy.
Based on the initial analysis provided by the Patrick Air Force Base 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron, wind speeds at the center varied from 59-82 knots at the 54-foot level to 79-101 knots at the 458-foot level during the storm.
The center currently is without potable water service, which is used for drinking, food preparation and cleaning.
MarylandSpace Member
Posts: 1336 From: Registered: Aug 2002
posted 09-14-2017 10:08 AM
Thank you Robert. I see the Moon Tree. I'm not sure if it is blown over or not.
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-14-2017 12:28 PM
I see the shadow cast, so standing.
posted 09-06-2017 01:18 PM
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