Storm forces NASA to pass space station control to Russia

[tocqueville]

Wed Sep 21, 2:45 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston was to close due to the threat posed by Hurricane Rita and control of the International Space Station will be handed to Russia, the US agency said.

A small, emergency rideout crew will remain on site but the center, near Houston, was not to reopen until the storm threat has passed, NASA said in a statement. Hurricane Rita was expected to hit the Texas coast this weekend.

The space center is home to NASA astronauts and also directs space shuttle missions and manages activity on the International Space Station.

"Primary flight control of the station will transition to the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, outside Moscow. As usual, a group of NASA flight controllers is positioned at the Russian control center to assist with operations," NASA said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050921/pl_afp/usweatherstormspace_050921184546