Author Topic: Runway to Space - SLF takes a commercial step forward (Read 3619 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 06/29/2013 04:26 am »

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/06/runway-space-slf-takes-commercial-step-forward/

Enjoyed writing that one....you can probably guess why!

Maverick · « **Reply #1 on:** 06/29/2013 11:03 am »

That's such a great birth to future article. Lots to enjoy and be hopeful for. Thanks!

Rocket Science · « **Reply #2 on:** 06/29/2013 12:05 pm »

Great article Chris!

I remember standing on the runway in the summer of 1977 and being amazed by the sheer size. I eyeballed the width and figured I could just make a short field takeoff crosswise in my Cessna 152 given the right winds...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #3 on:** 06/29/2013 08:56 pm »

Thanks guys. Glad you enjoyed an article, despite the lack of "SpaceX" in the headline.

jacqmans · « **Reply #4 on:** 06/15/2015 11:06 am »

State could land KSC runway Monday

Kennedy Space Center on Monday could take the most important step yet in its post-shuttle transformation if the state agrees to take over management of the center’s three-mile concrete runway.
Space Florida’s board of directors is expected to review, and likely approve, a tentative deal Monday morning with NASA that would put the state in charge of the former Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, for at least the next 30 years.

http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2015/06/14/state-land-ksc-runway-monday/71148898/

jacqmans · « **Reply #5 on:** 06/23/2015 07:46 am »

June 22, 2015
RELEASE 15-135

NASA Signs Agreement with Space Florida to Operate Historic Landing Facility

A new agreement marks another step in the transformation of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to a multi-user spaceport. NASA’s historic Shuttle Landing Facility, the site of one of the longest runways in the world, has a new operator.

“Our journey to Mars goes straight through Florida, and this agreement helps amplify the many ways that our critical Kennedy Space Center can support the next generation of human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.

A 30-year property agreement for the operations and management of the facility, located at Kennedy, has been signed by NASA and Space Florida, the aerospace and spaceport development authority for the state of Florida.

“Following the final space shuttle landing in 2011, the site has transformed into a multi-user facility supporting a variety of commercial and government partners,” said Bob Cabana, Kennedy director. “We look forward to partnering with Space Florida to expand upon the multi-use of this historical asset.”

Private companies frequently request time on the Shuttle Landing Facility. That demand is expected to increase as businesses that were commercial startups evolve into mature enterprises. The new arrangement with Space Florida is expected to maximize opportunities to use the runway creatively while maintaining its ability to serve NASA and the center, which has transformed to a multi-user spaceport.

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

Built in 1974 for space shuttles returning to Kennedy, the facility opened for flights in 1976. The concrete runway is 15,000 feet long and 300 feet wide and is capable of supporting all types and sizes of aircraft and horizontal launch and landing vehicles.

For more information about partnership opportunities with Kennedy, visit:

http://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov

For more information on Space Florida, visit:

http://www.spaceflorida.gov

For more information on NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

jacqmans · « **Reply #6 on:** 06/23/2015 07:53 am »

Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello (left) and NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana shake hands following the signing of a new agreement, marking another step in the transformation of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to a multi-user spaceport. A 30-year property agreement for the operations and management of the historic Shuttle Landing Facility, located at Kennedy, was signed June 22, 2015, by NASA and Space Florida, the aerospace and spaceport development authority for the state of Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello looks on, at left, as Space Florida Chairman of the Board of Directors William T. Dymond Jr. and NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, at right, shake hands following the signing of a new agreement, marking another step in the transformation of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to a multi-user spaceport. A 30-year property agreement for the operations and management of the historic Shuttle Landing Facility, located at Kennedy, was signed June 22, 2015, by NASA and Space Florida, the aerospace and spaceport development authority for the state of Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

francesco nicoli · « **Reply #7 on:** 06/23/2015 08:14 am »

would this 15.000 feet runaway support a Skylon?

Hauerg · « **Reply #8 on:** 06/23/2015 08:26 am »

Methinks if Skylon cannot work with runway they should better shelve the project.

francesco nicoli · « **Reply #9 on:** 06/23/2015 09:23 am »

thanks for your insightful comment

the issue, I suspect, is whether -given this particular coordinates- the 15.000 f runaway is long enough. I know there have been some debates concerning how long and robust the runaway should be, and how far the closest town has to be, etc. Does this fullfill the requirements for Skylon?