Senator Kaine visits Wallops Flight Facility

For outsiders, including press and legislators, Wednesday was the first close up look at the mangled metal and debris left behind by the catastrophic rocket explosion at the Wallops Island Flight Facility launch pad on October 28th.

On Wednesday, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was among those visitors.

During his visit, he gave first responders their due, for getting the explosion under control.    

After his tour of the launch pad, Senator Kaine had some optimistic reviews about the repairs ahead.

Senator Kaine says, “This infra structure survived remarkably well given the magnitude of the challenge. There’s obviously a cost to repair, and the missions done here are very necessary.”

The cost for the launch pad repairs is $20 million. Senator Kaine, Mark Warner, and Barbara Mukulski got the budget approved by the president. The repairs will be done through a partnership with NASA, orbital, the mid- Atlantic regional space board, as well as state and local governments. 

Senator Lynwood Lewis says, “We’re looking forward to getting back into the rocket launching business here very soon.”

The use of federal funds means taxpayers all over the country are footing this hefty bill.  However, Senator Kaine stresses these repairs won’t just help Virginia.

Senator Kaine continues, “The mission that’s being done here is a national mission, and that partnership with NASA is a very very important part of it. The quicker we repair this, and the quicker we start shooting rockets here, the better for the nation.”
   
Wallops is hoping to have the repairs completed within a year. Once it’s done, they will begin trials with a “hot fire test” to make sure everything is good to go for their scheduled launch in 2016.