NASA's Kennedy Space Center survived the powerful Hurricane Matthew on Friday, October 7, as the storm passed off the state's shore. The spaceport lies in the central coast of Florida facing the Atlantic near east of Orlando.
NASA officials said that there is limited roof damage to the facility. Water and electrical services were disrupted. There is also scattered debris.
This update was issued at 9:45 a.m. EDT on Friday. Meteorologists said winds were already declining but had not yet dropped below 58 miles per hour. NASA officials revealed that it was still dangerous to send crews outside to assess the damage.
On October 8, Saturday, NASA's Damage Assessment and Recovery Team carried out its formal assessment.
NASA's Kennedy Space Center was closed on Thursday, October 6, to prepare for the weather conditions brought about by the powerful hurricane.
This historic spaceport was the launch center for NASA during the Apollo moon missions and space shuttle missions to lower Earth orbit. Currently, NASA robotic space missions are launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station which is beside the spaceport.
NASA satellite imagery of the hurricane revealed a larger central eye with a "double eyewall" which is common for hurricanes this strong. These eyewalls can generate intense thunderstorms, strong winds, and rains.
Hurricane Matthew has weakened since Friday when it reached a Category 4 storm with winds at 140 miles per hour. According to NOAA's National Hurricane Center, its winds are now at 85 miles per hour. The hurricane continues to move to the northeastern coastal areas of Georgia and Carolina.