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Redstone rocket at Complex
5, after Hurricane Floyd |
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In September of 1999, Hurricane Floyd passed along the
Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Hurricane Floyd was particularly
devastating, resulting in billions of dollars of damage and more than 70 deaths.
Though North Carolina bore the brunt of the storm, nine other states were also
declared major disaster areas.
At approximately 4 AM on September 15, the eye of the
hurricane passed 120 miles east of Cape Canaveral. No flight hardware was
damaged, and the damage to structures was described as light to moderate. One
unfortunate incident was the downing of the Redstone rocket that stood at
Complex 5. Although the model Mercury capsule that sat atop the Redstone was not
damaged, the rocket is a total loss.
This rocket and spacecraft have since been replaced with a model constructed
by Gard-Lee of Apopka, Florida.
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Photo courtesy of Dave Tipton.
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