NASA, SpaceX Move To Protect Rockets, Capsules From Hurricane
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CAPE CANAVERAL (CBSMiami/AP) — At the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, NASA and the private company SpaceX are taking precautions to protect their capsules and rockets from Hurricane Matthew.
SpaceX has been counting on Kennedy's historic Launch Complex 39A to get its rockets flying again, hopefully in November.
SpaceX's pad at neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was damaged Sept. 1 when a Falcon rocket exploded during prelaunch testing.
NASA, meanwhile, has secured a new Orion capsule currently in development in a secure Kennedy building designed to withstand sustained wind of 114 mph and gusts of 125 mph. The capsule will be used to launch astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit.
NASA's Kennedy Space Center is closed Thursday and Friday, with a 116-person ride-out crew on duty to help keep things safe.
The Cape Canaveral Air Force Station also was closed to nonessential personnel.
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