VAB suffers heavy damage from Francis

[Postmortem]

msnbc just posted a story that the VAB suffered heavy dmage in the hurricane, no pics yet, anyone else got some more info?

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5926976/[/url]

[Candy]

This is from Frances aimed at KSC thread.

Poor rocket. The ones in the Rocket Garden at the KSC Visitor's Center are tied down by cables. I guess this one wasn't unless it's a just a model.



A Mercury-Redstone rocket that once stood upright at the credentialing center at the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Fla. lies on the grass after being blown down by Hurricane Frances Saturday, Sept. 5, 2004. A rocket similar to this was used to launch Alan Shepard on the first unmanned suborbital mission. (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove)

There are some good shots of sailboats, one where they landed on a parking lot. It's creepy to see the Indian River look like the ocean.

Cinncianati.com

[Morrolan]

and Ivan is under way, looking like it's set to become a 5.

[Candy]

and Ivan is under way, looking like it's set to become a 5.

On the "Frances aimed at KSC" thread, the quiz said that only 3 category 5's have ever hit the US. I haven't been keeping up with Ivan, but it looks big on the radar. United still has a hangover from Frances. :-?

[Morrolan]

a friend of mine lives in Cuba and he's only got water back on end of last week (and that is from Charley). great fun with a 3 week old baby... not.
his office roof is leaking water so all the stuff inside is ruined and his employees don't have the money to repair their houses so he's paying for them.

funny how you don't read anything about it on the news anywhere.

Frances missed them, but Ivan will come a lot closer...

[Candy]

Might need another thread for this one!

[Morrolan]

yikes! its predicted path has changed... oh damn, it was supposed to pass just to the North of Cuba, now it's going right over it. those poor people.

[Swift]

CNN.com story
cnn.com

Hurricane Charley caused $700,000 in damage three weeks ago, but "this one is going to be significantly more than that," Kennedy said.

[Eta C]

and Ivan is under way, looking like it's set to become a 5.

On the "Frances aimed at KSC" thread, the quiz said that only 3 category 5's have ever hit the US. I haven't been keeping up with Ivan, but it looks big on the radar. United still has a hangover from Frances. :-?

Yep, the Labor Day of 1935, Camille in 69, and Andrew in 92. There have only been 23 Cat 5 hurricanes since 1950 so the low number isn't surprising. Also, most storms that reach Cat 5 weaken before they make landfall. Isabel of last year is an example. It reached 5 midway in its track, but was "only" a Cat 2 at landfall. For those interested in some stats, check out NOAA's FAQ on hurricanes and this site that has summaries and tracks going back to 1851. Pretty interesting stuff.

As to Ivan, the latest track (1100 on the 7th) has it going over Jamaica. Looks like it might enter the Gulf of Mexico. One to watch.

[Humphrey]

The local news station showed pictures of the damage to the building. Portions of the flag on the building were ripped away and large sections of siding are gone. I'll see if i can find some pics.

from: http://www.wesh.com/news/3709548/detail.html
Officials at the Florida facility said the storm tore about 1,000 exterior panels from the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Kennedy Space Center Director James Kennedy said the missing panels have left 40,000 square feet of "open window" on two sides of the building. But he said he's relieved the space center was spared even worse damage.

No space shuttles were inside the damaged building. But Kennedy said he's afraid the damage could set back NASA's plans to resume shuttle launches next spring.

He is also worried about Hurricane Ivan out in the Atlantic because temporary repairs may not be possible.

[Grand Vizier]

The local news station showed pictures of the damage to the building. Portions of the flag on the building were ripped away and large sections of siding are gone. I'll see if i can find some pics.

from: http://www.wesh.com/news/3709548/detail.html
Officials at the Florida facility said the storm tore about 1,000 exterior panels from the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Kennedy Space Center Director James Kennedy said the missing panels have left 40,000 square feet of "open window" on two sides of the building. But he said he's relieved the space center was spared even worse damage.

No space shuttles were inside the damaged building. But Kennedy said he's afraid the damage could set back NASA's plans to resume shuttle launches next spring.

He is also worried about Hurricane Ivan out in the Atlantic because temporary repairs may not be possible.

Seem to be more photos coming through now:

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=14975

That's a really sad sight, but at least it looks like Ivan won't be a problem at the Cape, anyway.

[Postmortem]

ughh just another blow to our already suffering space program, maybe if China does manage to land a man on the man it will motovate our government to give NASA some more money

I find it so sad that people think that we should stop sending people into space. Sending men (and women) into space is a bold effort no doubt, but it is when we push our limits and reach for the unattainable horizion that we often make stunning and life altering break thoughs that can benfit mankind for generations to come. Often in the past these moments of glory have come as the resault of war, and the desperate struggle for survival. But I would rather see us better ourselves by setting before us great challenges that can be achieved in peace, and unity.

*steps of soapbox*

[Candy]

ughh just another blow to our already suffering space program, maybe if China does manage to land a man on the man it will motovate our government to give NASA some more money

I don't think that's gonna work, but then again "the times are a changing".