Weather Kennedy Space Center
a mercury redstone rocket on display @ gate 3 toppled hurricane frances on september 7, 2004.
florida s peninsular shape , temperature contrasts between land , ocean provide ideal conditions electrical storms, earning central florida reputation lightning capital of united states . makes extensive lightning protection , detection systems necessary protect employees, structures , spacecraft on launch pads. on november 14, 1969, apollo 12 struck lightning after lift-off pad 39a, flight continued safely. powerful lightning strike recorded @ ksc occurred @ lc-39b on august 25, 2006, while shuttle atlantis being prepared sts-115. nasa managers concerned lightning strike caused damage atlantis, none found.
on september 7, 2004, hurricane frances directly hit area sustained winds of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) , gusts 94 miles per hour (151 km/h), damaging storm date. vehicle assembly building lost 1,000 exterior panels, each 3.9 feet (1.2 m) x 9.8 feet (3.0 m) in size. exposed 39,800 sq ft (3,700 m) of building elements. damage occurred south , east sides of vab. shuttle s thermal protection system facility suffered extensive damage. roof partially torn off , interior suffered water damage. several rockets on display in center toppled. further damage ksc caused hurricane wilma in october 2005.
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