KSC-05PD-2077

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A NASA plane is airborne after leaving Patrick Air Force Base in Florida on a hurricane relief flight to Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. Both Michoud and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi were effected by Hurricane Katrina. KSC is sending a helicopter with medical supplies and an Emergency Medical Technician to Stennis. A NASA plane is carrying medical supplies, food and chain saws, as well as a physician and two high voltage technicians to Michoud to ensure the facility can safely receive power when the main electricity grid comes online. KSC has sent a truck with 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel and three large generators: a 1-megawatt generator, and 125- and 225-kilowatt generators. A 14-person security team is also going to Michoud to relieve the security professionals at that location.