The clock is ticking on a NASA icon that will soon be put in retirement. The countdown clock at Kennedy Space Center is being replaced.

"Every major launch that NASA has done, that clock has been on," said NASA launch commentator George Diller.

The countdown clock has been at KSC for so long that NASA Public Affairs said they can’t pinpoint an exact year when it started counting down to launches.

Since the late 1960s, the clock helped send off several Apollo missions and all space shuttle missions.

"Before I even worked here, back when I was a newsman, that was in the early '70s, I certainly remember covering the launch for the radio station," Diller said. "I worked here at the press site. That was the clock."

Florida's weather, especially Hurricane Charley, took its toll and NASA said they are unable to get replacement parts for the massive clock.

“The countdown is certainly what we do here," said Diller. "I mean, between the clock and the Vehicle Assembly Building, those are our two signature items that everybody all over the world recognizes, so that’s why we really haven’t changed the general visual appearance of the clock, the new one, too much.”

The new $280,000 clock will be similar to what you see at a baseball stadium. LED lights will be used and NASA said it will be able to display video.

NASA hopes to have the new clock installed before the first Orion launch set for early December on the Space Coast.          

The space agency also said they hope the current clock can be put on display at the nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.