Posted: Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 7:59 AM ET (1159 GMT)
NASA will keep work performed on the space shuttle's external tank at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans despite the damage and disruption caused by Hurricane Katrina last month. NASA announced late Friday that work to repair damage to Michoud is moving ahead of schedule, with power restored to the facility and temporary repairs complete. NASA had considered shifting some work on the external tanks to the Kennedy Space Center, but concluded that by the time KSC would be set up to handle tank repair work, Michoud would be operational. NASA plans to proceed with plans to ship external tanks from KSC to Michoud for repairs, and will establish temporary housing for civil servants and contractors displaced by the hurricane.

Related Links:

•  Florida Today article
•  NASA press release