Hurricane Katrina while only causing minor damage to NASA spaceport facilities along the Gulf Coast is surrounded by a region facing long term recovery problems that will impact the ability of work to be conducted in the New Orleans area.
Reports say that NASA will relocate critical External Tank work to Florida and aim for a May 2006 launch window as the earliest date for a return to flight.
Damaged roofs and water leaks were found throughout the 832-acre Michoud complex, where Lockheed Martin manufactures the shuttle’s external fuel tank.
In Michoud’s main manufacturing building, concrete roof panels were blown away by winds gusting to 125 mph, leaving a large hole, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Stennis Space Center is used by NASA to test rocket engines. That facility reported serious roof and water damage. Stennis is currently being used by state and federal officials as a shelter and base for relief operations.
If NASA is to meet its March 4-19 launch window, a newly redesigned fuel tank must leave Michoud by barge for Kennedy Space Center by mid-November. NASA officials say the chance of that occurring appears remote. The next launch window is May 3-22.
