'Scope of the blast' assessed

• Report damage%3A NASA%2C 757-824-129%3B Accomack County%2C757-789-3610 or 757-824-4274

An incident response team found damage to Wallops Island launch facilities resulting from the explosion of an Antares rocket shortly after liftoff.

The team completed its initial assessment of facilities on the island the day after the unmanned Orbital Sciences Corporation rocket exploded as it took off for a mission to the International Space Station.

Launch pad 0A, from which the rocket lifted off before it was destroyed seconds later, sustained damage to the transporter erector launcher and lightning rods, the team found.

Orbital Sciences Corp. said the launch pad itself and fuel tanks there appear not to have been not seriously damaged, but some repairs will be needed.

A more thorough inspection of the launch pad will be done in the coming days.

"In the coming days and weeks ahead, we'll continue to assess the damage on the island and begin the process of moving forward to restore our space launch capabilities. There's no doubt in my mind we will rebound stronger than ever," NASA Wallops Director Bill Wrobel said.

Several buildings in the area right around the launch pad had windows broken and doors imploded by the blast. A nearby sounding rocket launcher also suffered severe damage, according to a NASA news release.

After the initial assessment, the northern part of Wallops Island, where U. S. Navy facilities are located, is being reopened so Navy personnel and employees can go back to work.

An aerial survey of the launch pad and surrounding area was done first thing Wednesday morning, followed by a ground assessment done by a team including NASA, Orbital and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport representatives.

Orbital is creating a permanent Accident Investigation Board, which will include Orbital officials as well as officials from NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The FAA will oversee the board's activities.

Orbital Wednesday appointed as the board's chairman Dave Steffy, senior vice president and chief engineer of Orbital's Advanced Programs Group.

Outside the NASA base, some area residents are reporting minor property damage resulting from the incident, including Chincoteague resident Stella Rogers, who had two large windows blown out by the force of the blast.

Anyone who had property damage from the blast should call the NASA incident response team at 757-824-1295.

Accomack County also set up a hotline for residents to report property damage. Call 757-789-3610 or 757-824-4274 to report damage resulting from the explosion.

The county has received no such reports so far, Accomack County Administrator Steve Miner said Thursday.

"We just wanted to make sure that we catch everything that's out there; more than anything, we really want to understand the scope of the blast," Miner said.

County officials have been assured the cost of repairing residents' property damage will be taken care of either by NASA or Orbital, he said.