after the United States Naval Air Station has gone.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Bermuda is not threatened by the closure of the US base in September, 1995.

NASA Station Director Mr. Steve Stompf said the station remains an important position for tracking shuttles and other rockets launched from the US East Coast.

"Nobody has said anything to the contrary,'' Mr. Stompf said. "We are going to be here indefinitely.'' NASA Bermuda is part of a network of stations all over the world on which the launch of every shuttle relies. Others are in Gambia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

All stations must be in full working order and weather conditions must be good for a shuttle launch.

The Bermuda station holds a key role in tracking the shuttle from its launch in Cape Canaveral for some minutes before it loses contact. Staff at the base are able to check on pieces of information to ensure the flight is going according to plan.

The station then continues to monitor the shuttle's orbit as it passes over the North Atlantic until it lands some weeks later.

Mr. Stompf, recently said: "There are times when we are the only ones providing information for NASA in the United States.'' NASA Bermuda is located on Cooper's Island at the southern end of the Base.

The US Navy is NASA's landlords in Bermuda giving them the land on a lease basis. However the original deal was made between the US Government and the United Kingdom and when the US Navy moves on the NASA base will remain.

Mr. Stompf said: "Essentially the land is leased to the US Government and NASA, so on that basis I see us staying.

"There will be no great change although it will probably cost more because we will have to find services, which we have received from the US Navy, from other sources in Bermuda.'' This will also mean changes in the security of the station which has been surrounded by the US Base.

Mr. Stompf said: "Yes, we will have to beef up security where the US Navy protected us before.'' The US Navy has played a part in providing back up in case a shuttle encountered problems and had to land in Bermuda, its first landing site after Cape Canaveral.

While naval pilots would still be flown out to be on hand for any mishaps, ground crews may have to be trained to deal with the possibility of a shuttle landing in Bermuda.

The US Government has promised to discuss all difficulties which may arise with the closure of the US base with the Bermuda Government.