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Author Topic:   Commercial use of Kennedy shuttle facilities
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-25-2011 06:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
NASA Explores Potential New Users For Some Kennedy Facilities

NASA has released a formal Notice of Availability (NOA) and Request for Information (RFI) to identify interest from industry for space processing and support facilities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The facilities may become available for space-related commercial use following the end of the Space Shuttle Program.

The facilities that may become available are well-suited for entities operating or directly supporting government or commercial launches or space user services.

"Kennedy has been working for some time to enable commercial space activities at the center that are in line with NASA's mission," Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana said. "Partnering with the commercial space industry will help NASA meet its goals and help sustain facility assets to support our nation's space objectives."

The announcement groups facilities into four classes: space vehicle processing and launch facilities; off-line processing facilities; payload processing facilities; and miscellaneous facilities. Facilities listed in the announcement include: Launch Pads 39A and B, the Vehicle Assembly Building, Orbiter Processing Facilities and the Shuttle Landing Facility.

NASA reserves the right to subsequently remove facilities from this list if the agency determines it needs them for its own requirements. NASA also may pursue other options for disposition of the listed facilities if in the government's best interests.

NASA has received previous commercial interest in some of the facilities at the center. This notice is another step in efforts to build awareness with industry about potentially available center assets. It was issued to provide the widest notice about facilities and to ensure fairness to interested parties.

MrSpace86
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Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 01-27-2011 09:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MrSpace86   Click Here to Email MrSpace86     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wouldn't NASA want to keep the VAB for future manned spaceflight programs? The shuttle runway should also be kept for private use or even government use for transportation of space hardware. I would be baffled if they decide to get rid of all that.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-27-2011 09:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Although the space agency is reserving the option of disposing shuttle facilities in the future, this present effort is only to identify commercial interest in leasing their use.

NASA retains first use of the facilities if needed by on-going development and future programs.

Byeman
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posted 01-27-2011 02:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Byeman   Click Here to Email Byeman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
The shuttle runway should also be kept for private use or even government use for transportation of space hardware.

Already being done. As for the VAB, it is very expensive to maintain.

Fezman92
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Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 01-27-2011 04:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fezman92   Click Here to Email Fezman92     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Byeman:
Already being done. As for the VAB, it is very expensive to maintain.
I guess the companies are renting them?

xlsteve
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Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008

posted 01-29-2011 07:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for xlsteve   Click Here to Email xlsteve     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would guess it would more like leasing.

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