The shuttles rode out the storm in processing hangars. Three orbiters were in a building designed to withstand 105-mph winds. The fourth spaceship was in the Apollo-era Vehicle Assembly Building, which was designed to withstand 125-mph winds. Also at risk were major components of the International Space Station, including the U.S.-built laboratory, which are undergoing testing and preparations for launch next year. The space station components were housed in a new building designed to withstand 110-mph winds.

Floyd kept its distance, passing 121 miles off the coast of Cape Canaveral. The highest sustained winds at the space center were 66 mph, with the biggest gust clocked at 91 mph. But if Floyds 150-mph eyewall had brushed the Cape, "We would have had catastrophic damage," said NASA spokesman George Diller, who was among 105 employees who stayed at the space center during the hurricane.

"This was probably a once-in-a-lifetime storm," he said.

The point of reviewing the hurricane plans is to make sure the rationales for adopting the procedures are still sound. The buildings and facilities were designed to withstand the highest winds generated by the worst of the most typical hurricanes. The costs to construct for the rare monster storm are prohibitive.

"Theres probably not a whole lot were going to be able to do with buildings that are already constructed," said Diller.

Moving the shuttles out of Florida is not really an option either. The spaceships can only be transported piggyback-style on top of a specially outfitted 747. NASA has two such jets, which are based at Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Califormia.

Dryden spokesman Fred Brown said the jets are always ready to fly, but preparing the shuttles for a piggyback ride is another matter. NASA typically requires two months of work to configure a shuttle for ferry flight, said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Joel Wells. In addition to removing payloads and gear that are returning from space, technicians take out the shuttles steering jet systems and maneuvering pods for cross-country travel. Dummy equipment is installed to maintain the vehicles weight and center of gravity, Wells added.

One upgrade for hurricane safety is already in work. Kennedy Space Center recently awarded contracts to extend the specially made roadway used by the shuttle transporter around to the west side of the Vehicle Assembly Building. Inside the mammoth building, a third bay will be modified so that a full stack of 151-foot tall solid rocket boosters, or a fully equipped space shuttle can be housed in the VAB during a hurricane. NASA currently has two bays open for work and shelter. Once a shuttle moves to the launch pad, one bay is left empty in case it has to be rolled back for safe haven in a storm.

The modifications are expected to cost about $4.2 million, said Wells.