Airspace, Bridges and Waterway Restrictions in Effect for STS-115

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08.22.06

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

RELEASE: 53-06

AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR STS-115

For the STS-115 launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, NASA managers are 
urging all aircraft pilots and boaters to fully comply with the 
airspace, bridges and waterway restrictions imposed around Kennedy 
Space Center prior to and during shuttle launches and landings.

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

The first launch opportunity is Sunday, Aug. 27, with liftoff targeted 
for 4:30 p.m. EDT. This launch time is approximately in the middle of 
a 10-minute launch window. At NASA's request, Air Force and Coast 
Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol KSC's airspace boundaries on 
launch day. Violators will be intercepted by patrol forces, 
thoroughly investigated and subject to FAA enforcement action. A 
number of restrictions remain in effect around KSC during the hours 
immediately following the launch of a space shuttle.

The following are restrictions that apply to pilots, boaters and motor 
vehicle operators using the airspace, waterways, or roads and bridges 
that lead to KSC.

KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

For the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-115, all restricted areas 
surrounding KSC 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 Atlantis, 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 the launch 
can occur on time and without incident.

The Eastern Range restricted airspace for KSC and Cape Canaveral Air 
Force Station is in effect on a continuous basis and is off limits to 
general aviation pilots. Access is limited to official aircraft only. 
The restricted airspace normally 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 by the TFR and 
will be activated at approximately launch minus 7 hours. It will 
continue in effect until approximately 20 minutes after launch, after 
which the standard restricted areas for KSC and Cape Canaveral Air 
Force Station will be in effect. On Aug. 27, the TFR will be 
activated at 9:24 a.m. EDT. The launch is targeted to occur at 4:30 
p.m. EDT. Should the launch be scrubbed during the terminal 
countdown, the TFR will remain in effect until 5:54 p.m. For the next 
launch attempt, pilots should check NOTAMS for the hours the TFR will 
be in effect.

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 30.6 nautical miles). Among the public-use 
general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast 
Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville, 
Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island 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 St. Petersburg 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 Orlando Approach control on 
134.95. In the Melbourne area, contact Orlando Approach control on 
132.65. In the New Smyrna Beach area, contact Orlando Approach 
control 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 public-use airports affected within the 30- to 
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 Municipal Airport, Melbourne International Airport 
and Valkaria airport. Pilots are encouraged to consult the most 
recent FAA aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace dated Feb. 
16.

BRIDGES AND ACCESS HIGHWAYS 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:

* Port Canaveral Barge Canal (State Road 401);

* Indian River/NASA Causeway West (Intracoastal Waterway);

* 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 opening 
of the launch window (4:24 p.m.) will result in an approximate time 
of openings.

Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes after 
liftoff (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 after launch (T+180 minutes).

Should the shuttle be required to perform a return-to-launch-site 
landing at KSC, all bridges would remain closed to boat traffic from 
45 minutes before landing until at least one hour after landing.

State Road 3 from the Gate 2 Pass and Identification Building to State 
Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way will be closed on 
launch day, Aug. 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. NASA Causeway between the 
KSC Visitor Complex and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will also be 
closed starting at that time. Only badged employees and guests with 
passes will be permitted access. These roads will reopen 
approximately two hours after launch.

On the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, State Road 406 and County Road 
402 leading to Titusville, as well as State Road 3 south of the 
Haulover Canal bridge, will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 
and reopen approximately two hours after launch. 

KSC AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

Waterways and boating near KSC will be strictly controlled prior to 
and during the launch of Atlantis on STS-115.

Safety and security requirements, including 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 on L-3 days (Thursday, Aug. 24, at 8 a.m.) 
and continuing through 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.

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to the 
Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel. 
Restrictions begin on L-3 days (Aug. 24).

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito 
Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning the day before launch 
(L-1 day).

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 16 hours prior to launch.

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

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

	
-end-



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