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Author Topic:   Shuttle Landing Facility transfer to Space Florida
Robert Pearlman
Editor

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

posted 06-15-2015 11:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Governor of Florida release
Governor Scott Announces Historic Partnership Between NASA and Space Florida

Transfer of the Shuttle Landing Facility Advances Florida's Aerospace Industry

Governor Rick Scott announced today at the 51st International Paris Airshow that the Space Florida Board of Directors approved the transfer of the historic Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center from NASA to Space Florida, the state's aerospace and spaceport development authority. Space Florida's operation of the Shuttle Landing Facility will provide Florida with a world-class horizontal launch capability and will keep Florida in the forefront of the rapidly growing commercial space market, as well as create more than 200 new jobs over six years for families in Brevard County according the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast.

Governor Rick Scott said, "This is an historic event for our state, and I am excited to make this announcement as we showcase the success of the aviation and aerospace industry in Florida during the 51st International Paris Airshow. With this agreement, Florida will gain access to both unrestricted airspace and one of the longest runways in the world, which will provide the Space Coast with a competitive advantage over any other state competing for aerospace jobs. The Shuttle Landing Facility will be converted into an economic engine that will bring more jobs to families in the Space Coast and will also help drive the next generation of spaceflight and discovery from Florida."

Built in 1974 for space shuttles returning to Kennedy Space Center from orbit or other landing sites around the world, the facility first opened for flights in 1976. At 15,000 feet long and 300 feet wide, it is one of the longest and most capable runways in the world. Its surface consists of an extremely high-friction concrete strip designed to maximize the braking ability of heavy fast landing spacecraft. It was last used by space shuttle Atlantis on July 21, 2011, for a landing that closed out NASA's space shuttle program.

Space Florida's President and CEO Frank DiBello said, "This marks the dawn of a new era for horizontal spaceflight in Florida and the country as a whole. The most storied runway in the world will now become the cornerstone of Florida's next generation commercial spaceport."

The Shuttle Landing Facility will be used by Space Florida as a testing ground for new technologies and companies. It will serve a wide variety of customers and a new generation of space launch vehicles.

The formal handover from NASA to Space Florida will be completed at a signing ceremony on June 22. Space Florida will have the right to run the facility as a commercial launchway under a 30-year management agreement from NASA.

onesmallstep
Member

Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 06-17-2015 11:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hopefully Space Florida will maintain and preserve the three plaques marking the final 'wheel stops' of all shuttles installed at the SLF as seen here

Editor's note: And discussed here.

Also, will NASA transfer/lease any of the support equipment used for shuttle or conventional aircraft operations out of the former SLF? I know Starfighters Aerospace uses ex-military F-104s based at the facility. I imagine NASA will now use Patrick AFB for any fixed-wing aircraft supporting Commercial Crew or Orion.

Jim Behling
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Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 06-17-2015 02:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This doesn't change how NASA operates its aircraft. NASA will still use the SLF for all types of aircraft. What has changed is the owner/operator of the SLF. NASA will now be a "tenant" vs the operator.

As for equipment, there isn't much, just some tugs and access stands.

onesmallstep
Member

Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 06-17-2015 03:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the reply. Of all the buildings still extant at the SLF, now operated by Space Florida, one is the RLV (Reusable Launch Vehicle) hangar built for the cancelled X-33 program.

It was also used to store debris and remnants from shuttle Columbia, and part of it is leased to Starfighters Aerospace, as I mentioned in my post. Lot of history there.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

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

posted 06-22-2015 03:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
collectSPACE
NASA hands over historic Shuttle Landing Facility for commercial use

The Florida runway where space shuttles touched down for nearly 30 years has a new mission.

NASA on Monday (June 22) formally transferred control of the Shuttle Landing Facility located at the Kennedy Space Center to Space Florida, the state agency responsible for driving aerospace economic development. The agreement assigns the facility's operation and management to Space Florida for the next 30 years.

Cozmosis22
Member

Posts: 968
From: Texas * Earth
Registered: Apr 2011

posted 06-22-2015 09:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Cozmosis22     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Suppose now they will announce with fanfare a contest of some sort to rename the Shuttle Landing Facility?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

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

posted 06-22-2015 10:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Not necessarily. Other shuttle-era properties that were taken over or leased under an agreement with Space Florida were renamed without any fanfare.

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