Hurricane Milton Exits: A Close Call for Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral

As Hurricane Milton swirled out into the Atlantic Ocean, heavy winds lashed Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral, leaving a trail of power outages and property damage in its wake. Residents and space industry workers alike were left pondering the extent of the hurricane's impact on Cape Canaveral's critical facilities.

NASA's Response

By Thursday morning, NASA's contingency team, who remained stationed at Kennedy Space Center during the storm, began conducting preliminary damage assessments. Megan Cruz, a spokesperson for Kennedy Space Center, communicated via email that, while power outages were widespread, major disruptions to operations appeared minimal. Initial evaluations revealed only minor damages, including damaged doors, traffic lights, awnings, and small trailers.

Cruz confirmed that a more comprehensive damage assessment team would be on-site Friday to thoroughly inspect the entire facility. As a safety precaution, Kennedy Space Center was closed Thursday and open only to essential personnel.

Impact on Missions

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, which forced the postponement of the Europa Clipper mission, NASA officials indicated that the spacecraft had been safely moved into its hangar. A new launch date is being finalized, and NASA plans to announce it shortly, although it will not be before Sunday, October 13. The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide updates on upcoming launches as information becomes available.

Visitor Complex Updates

Additionally, Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex was confirmed to remain closed on Friday but is set to reopen at 9 a.m. on Saturday, though further details were yet to be released.

Space Force Recovery Efforts

Meanwhile, the U.S. Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45 reported considerable recovery efforts underway at Patrick Space Force Base, which was under Recovery Condition II (RECON 2) as of Thursday afternoon. This status indicates that initial damage assessments have been completed and teams are actively working to make necessary repairs. Base residents have been advised to stay put and refrain from clearing debris until an ‘All Clear’ signal is issued.

As the storm has passed, authorities continue to evaluate conditions across Brevard County, reminding everyone to stay tuned for updates and safety instructions. The impacts of Hurricane Milton highlight the vulnerability of even the most advanced space facilities, but the resilience of these institutions remains strong as they begin restoration efforts.