REISSUE: Airspace, Bridges and Waterway Restrictions in Effect for All Space Shuttle Launches

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07.08.05

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

RELEASE: 58-05

REISSUE: AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR ALL SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCHES

For the STS-114 launch of Space Shuttle Discovery, NASA managers urge 
all aircraft pilots and boaters to comply fully with the airspace, 
bridges and waterway restrictions imposed around KSC prior to and 
during Space Shuttle launches and landings.

"As always, we are coordinating with officials from the Eastern Range 
and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help provide a safe 
launch environment for the Shuttle crew and for interested 
spectators. Violating these restrictions is not only unsafe for the 
astronauts and support crews, it's unsafe for the violator," said KSC 
Launch Director Mike Leinbach.

Space Shuttle Discovery's first launch opportunity is on July 13 at 
3:51 p.m. and the launch window extends for five minutes. At NASA's 
request, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard surveillance aircraft 
will patrol KSC's airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will 
be intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and will be 
subject to FAA enforcement action. A number of restrictions remain in 
effect around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) during the hours 
immediately following the launch of a Space Shuttle.

Listed and described below are restrictions that apply to pilots, 
motor vehicle operators and boaters utilizing airspace, bridges and 
waterways that lead to KSC.

KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

For the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114, all 
restricted areas surrounding the Kennedy Space Center will be active 
and the area covered by flight restrictions has once again been 
expanded for this launch. The length of time the restrictions will be 
in effect prior to launch has also been extended.

Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security is 
essential to protect the Space Shuttle as a national asset. An 
inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape 
Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) could cause a scrub in 
the launch of Discovery, the activation of airspace defenses and an 
FAA enforcement action. Local pilots are asked to help NASA by 
respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so that the 
launch can occur on time and without incident.

The restricted areas for the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral 
Air Force Station are in effect on a continuous basis and are limited 
to official aircraft only, off-limits to general aviation pilots. The 
restricted air space extends from the surface to but not including 
14,000 feet and covers the area bounded by the Indian River to the 
west, Port Canaveral to the south, the city of Oak Hill to the north, 
and three miles over the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

On launch day these restricted areas will be expanded and will be 
activated beginning at launch minus 9 hours. On Wednesday, July 13 
this occurs at 6:35 a.m. EDT and remains in effect until 6:59 p.m. 
EDT. Should the launch be scrubbed after the astronauts have boarded 
Space Shuttle Discovery, the restrictions will remain in effect for 
three hours after the postponement has been announced.

FAA Part 91, Part 125, general aviation and VFR operations are 
prohibited within a 30 nautical mile radius of Launch Pad 39-B from 
the surface to but not including 18,000 feet (located on the 
Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree radial at 30 nautical miles). Among the 
general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast 
Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville, 
Merritt Island Airport in Merritt Island, Rockledge Airpark in 
Rockledge and Massey Ranch in Edgewater.

Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles of Pad 
39-B, a discrete transponder code must be obtained and clearance 
granted from air traffic control before entering this airspace. 
Continuous radio communications must be maintained.

Before flight, pilots should contact the FAA Flight Service Station at 
1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for details of the restrictions 
contained in the NOTAMS. In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, 
pilots should contact Daytona Beach Approach control on 134.95. In 
the Melbourne area contact Daytona Approach on 132.65, or in the New 
Smyrna Beach area on 125.35. Flight Service can also be reached 
locally by radio on the Titusville RCO at 123.6 or the Melbourne RCO 
on 122.6. Advisories will also be available from the control tower at 
Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville at 118.9 megahertz.

Among the airports affected within the 30-40 nautical mile radius in 
which flight is permitted but under positive air traffic control are 
Orlando International Airport, Orlando Executive Airport, 
Orlando-Sanford International Airport, the New Smyrna Beach and 
Spruce Creek airports, Melbourne International Airport and Valkaria. 
Pilots are encouraged to consult the most recent FAA aeronautical 
chart for Orlando Class B air space.

BRIDGES CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH

The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding KSC will 
be strictly controlled during the hours immediately before and after 
the launch period for each Space Shuttle mission.

Bridges affected by the launch include:

* Canaveral Harbor Barge Canal (SR 401, south of Cape Canaveral Air 
Force Station's Gate 1);

* Indian River Causeway West or NASA Causeway (Intracoastal Waterway 
at Addison Point);

* Merritt Island Barge Canal (Merritt Island State Road 3);

* Haulover Canal Bridge (State Road 3, north of KSC).

Restraints on bridge openings for boat traffic begin three hours 
before launch. The bridges may be opened for five minutes at the 
following points in the launch countdown: T-180 minutes, T-150 
minutes, T-120 minutes, T-90 minutes, and T-65 minutes. Adding 20 
minutes to these times and subtracting that amount from the launch 
time will result in an approximate time of openings.

Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes after 
lift-off (T+90). They may then open for five minutes at T+90, T+120 
minutes and T+150 minutes. Bridge operations will return to normal 
three hours (T+180 minutes) after launch.

Should the Shuttle be required to perform a Return-to-Launch-Site 
(RTLS) landing at KSC, all bridges would remain closed to boat 
traffic from 45 minutes before landing until at least one hour after 
landing.

KSC AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

Waterways and boating activities near the Kennedy Space Center will be 
strictly controlled prior to and during the launch of the Space 
Shuttle.

Safety and security requirements, including U.S. Air Force range 
safety impact limit lines, will go into effect as early as three days 
before launch. Other requirements will be phased into effect through 
sunset the night before launch. A general description of the area 
follows:

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning noon on Sunday, July 10 through the launch, 
a general exclusion zone will be in effect three miles offshore from 
the Haulover Canal, near the north end of KSC, and southward to Port 
Canaveral. Four hours prior to launch, all ocean-going traffic will 
be restricted from entering an area measured from nine miles north 
and south of the launch pad and extending 64 miles east into the 
ocean. An additional three-mile-wide exclusion zone will be extended 
eastward along the flight path of the Space Shuttle.

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito 
Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning the day before launch.

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to the 
Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel. 
Restrictions begin at noon on Sunday, July 10.

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal 
south of KSC at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north. This 
restriction is effective roughly 16 hours prior to launch.

All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one hour after 
launch.

Boating interests should monitor U.S. Coast Guard Channel 16 
broadcasting from Port Canaveral. The U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, and KSC security forces share responsibility 
for enforcing the boating guidelines.

ROAD CLOSURES: Space Commerce Way which connects State Road 3 with 
State Road 405 (NASA Causeway) will be closed on launch day, July 13 
beginning at 8 a.m. It will reopen after launch at 6 p.m. The closure 
is necessary due to the expected high volume of traffic on these 
highways.

	
-end-



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