NASAs Kennedy Space Center Prepares for Hurricane Milton
With Hurricane Milton approaching the area, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida went into HURCON II on Thursday, Oct. 8. NASA Kennedy's Hurricane Conditions rank IV, III, II, and I, indicating what preparations should be made ahead of an approaching hurricane.
The center is now restricted to essential personnel only. Gate 2 on State Road 3 will remain closed through the storm. Gate 3 on State Road 405 and Gate 4 on State Road 402 will remain open until sustained winds reach above 34 knots (40 miles per hour).
The Ride Out Team, comprising of emergency response representatives from across the center, will report Wednesday ahead of the heaviest impacts to the area and safely shelter in the spaceport's Launch Control Center for the remainder of the storm. The team along with NASA weather officials and center leadership will continue meeting regularly to discuss the storm's path and center's response, as well as ensuring the latest updates to the workforce are communicated throughout the storm.
Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach the spaceport by Wednesday evening, with tornadoes possible ahead of Milton's center of approach. Hurricane force winds are expected to arrive early Thursday morning. Rain totals of 8-12 inches are expected through Saturday. After the hurricane has passed and winds have dropped sufficiently, center facilities and infrastructure will be assessed before employees are cleared to return to work.
Previously, NASA and SpaceX secured the agency's Europa Clipper spacecraft until after the storm has passed, and the center has time to assess any impact from the storm. Center-wide, programs have secured their facilities to protect equipment and commodities and to prevent loose objects from becoming projectiles during the storm.
Visit Kennedy Space Center's operational status webpage for more information.
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