Workers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. are continuing
damage assessments and making repairs to get the center back up and
running after Hurricane Frances. There is no indication spaceflight
hardware or spares were damaged, and there are no reports of injuries
to any KSC employees.

Numerous buildings and center infrastructure sustained wind and rain
damage. KSC will remain closed to most personnel until Monday, while
damage assessments and repairs continue. Video b-roll of KSC hurricane
damage is airing on the NASA TV Video File. NASA will release
additional footage as available.

Approximately 1,000 operations people are working at KSC today, up from
about 200 yesterday. Power and phone service was restored to most of
the center. Preliminary assessments of the center’s two launch pads
indicate they’re in good shape. The SWIFT spacecraft, which is
scheduled for launch early next month, also appears fine, but the
building where it rode out the storm did sustain damage. Also, power
was restored today to the third and final Orbital Processing Facility,
which houses the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Assessment of KSC’s landmark facility, the Vehicle Assembly Building
(VAB), shows about 820 panels were torn off during the storm. Initial
review of the VAB’s interior indicates no serious damage to equipment,
including two Space Shuttle External Tanks. Engineers are continuing
their damage assessment. The Thermal Protection System Facility, where
Space Shuttle tile and blankets are manufactured, suffered significant
damage. Work is under way to recover critical spaceflight material,
such as tile molds, from exposed areas.

NASA TV is available on the Web and via satellite in the continental
U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, located at 72 degrees west
longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and
audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is
available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, located at 137 degrees
west longitude. Frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and
audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz.

VAB – south side

VAB – south side

Roof damage at Shuttle TPS Facility

Viewing Stand (minus roof)

NASA TV also is webcast at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

NASA will provide new information as available. For updates, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/formedia