Johnson Space Center near Seabrook, Texas was hit hard by Hurricane Ike, forcing evacuation of personnel in the Mission Control Center, which monitors the International Space Station and its American and Russian crew. After damage assessment was complete, NASA officials say the Johnson Space Center may be closed until September the 21^st.

Extensive roof damage was caused to Building 30 of the JSC, which houses Mission Control. Power was also lost to several buildings in the complex. The small town of Seabrook outside the JSC was heavily damaged and is currently left without power, sewer service or road access. A 65-man crew was sent in to remove debris from the site and restore power from commercial sources to priority buildings.

The delay will generate problems in staying on schedule for two future NASA space missions. One, scheduled for October 10, is due to service the Hubble Space Telescope, and the other, set for November 12 will launch the space shuttle Endeavour to outfit the International Space Station. The second mission in particular is pressed for time because starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 17 the angle of the sun will make it impossible for the ISS to generate enough power for a shuttle to dock. This means that the mission would have to be delayed till next year.

Pending repairs of the main Mission Control Center at the JSC, control of the ISS has been handed over to NASA back-up facilities near Austin, Texas, and Huntsville, Alabama.