Aug 20, 2008

Allard Beutel Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 allard beutel@nasa gov RELEASE: 19-08

NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER PARTLY REOPENS THURSDAY

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla - NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla , will reopen Thursday at 10 a m EDT for "mission essential" personnel Kennedy has been closed since Tuesday because of Tropical Storm Fay, which is continuing to bring heavy rain and wind to the region

Individual center supervisors will define which workers are considered "mission essential " These will include employees who are needed to ensure center infrastructure is safe and working, and personnel who process space flight hardware, such as space shuttles and Hubble Space Telescope equipment A liberal leave policy for employees will be in effect Thursday Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will remain closed Thursday, but reopen on Friday

Plans call for the center to open to all employees and return to full operation Friday

Based on initial assessments, there are no injuries, damage to flight hardware or flooding associated with Fay at the center Only minor damage has been seen on a few facilities, including the Vehicle Assembly Building which lost one exterior panel from its east side

About 200 emergency personnel, known as a "ride-out crew", will remain on-site overnight into Thursday morning to provide real-time storm assessments

Kennedy workers should check with the center's hurricane information phone line for the latest status: 321-861-7900 or 1-866-572-4877 Employees should check with their supervisors if they have not been notified about their Thursday work status

Center storm updates also will be available online at the agency's emergency operation center Web site at: http://www nasa gov/eoc

Reporters also can hear the latest status by using Kennedy's media update phone line at 321-867-2525

For information about Kennedy Space Center, visit:

http://www nasa gov/kennedy

-end-

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