Posted: Thu, Sep 13, 2001, 3:05 PM ET (1905 GMT)
NASA's field centers reopened Thursday under much tighter security as the agency rescheduled the launch of an unmanned rocket. All of the agency's field centers, closed hours after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, reopened for all personnel for the first time Thursday, although NASA Headquarters did reopen Wednesday. A note on Goddard Space Flight Center's web site said the facility was open "only to permanently picture badge employees, civil servants and contractors." Security at all centers was much stricter than prior to the attacks: SPACE.com reported hour-long delays entering the Kennedy Space Center as cars were backed up for 2.5 kilometers outside security checkpoints. KSC's visitor center, one of the most popular visitor attractions in Florida, remained closed and is not expected to reopen before Saturday. NASA also announced that the launch of an Athena rocket from a new launch facility in Kodiak, Alaska, has been delayed two days to September 19 because of transportation difficulties related to a ban on commercial airline flights that was only lifted late Thursday morning. The Athena 1 rocket will launch four small spacecraft for NASA and the US Air Force.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article on NASA center reopenings
•  Spaceflight Now article about Athena launch delay
•  CNN article about Athena launch delay