Airspace, Bridges and Waterway Restrictions for STS-122 Mission

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Nov. 30, 2007

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 56-07

AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS FOR STS-122 MISSION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- For the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on 
the STS-122 mission, 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.

The first launch opportunity is Thursday, Dec. 6, with liftoff 
scheduled for 4:31 p.m. EST. This launch time is approximately in the 
middle of a 10-minute launch window. At NASA's request, U.S. Air 
Force and U.S. Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol Eastern 
Range airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will be 
intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and subject to 
enforcement action by the Federal Aviation Administration. A number 
of restrictions remain in effect around Kennedy 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 Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

For the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-122, all restricted areas 
surrounding Kennedy will be active and the area covered by flight 
restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch. 

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, or 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 Kennedy 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. Pilots are encouraged to consult the current FAA 
aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace.

On launch day, these restricted areas will be expanded by the TFR and 
will be activated seven hours before the launch window opens. This 
will continue in effect until 30 minutes after launch, after which 
the standard restricted areas for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air 
Force Station will remain in effect. On Thursday, Dec. 6, the TFR 
will be activated at 9:16 a.m. The launch is targeted to occur at 
4:31 p.m. within a launch window that extends from 4:26 to 4:36 p.m. 
The TFR will remain in effect until 5:17 p.m. If the launch is 
scrubbed, pilots should check NOTAMs for the hours the TFR will be in 
effect for the next launch attempt.

General aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a 
30-nautical-mile radius of Launch Pad 39A 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 and Arthur Dunn Airpark, both in Titusville, and 
Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island.

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

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, New 
Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Melbourne International Airport, 
Valkaria Airport and Massey Ranch.

Before flight, pilots should contact the St. Petersburg 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 southern Volusia County, 
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 at 118.9 megahertz.

BRIDGES AND ACCESS HIGHWAYS CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH

The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding Kennedy 
Space Center 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 (State Road 3, north of Kennedy Space Center).

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 then subtracting the total number of 
minutes from the opening of the 10-minute launch window (4:26 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 Kennedy, 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, Dec. 6, beginning at 11 a.m. NASA Causeway between the 
Kennedy 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.

Effective Dec. 3, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and the Cape 
Canaveral National Seashore will be closed until the day after 
launch.

State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 south from the 
Haulover Canal bridge to State Road 402 leading to Titusville will be 
open to badged personnel. These roads will close to all vehicle 
traffic at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 until after a successful launch has 
occurred.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

Waterways and boating near Kennedy will be strictly controlled prior 
to and during the launch of Atlantis on STS-122.

Safety and security requirements, including Air Force range safety 
impact limit lines, will go into effect 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 at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3 (L-3 days) 
and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in 
effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, near the north 
end of Kennedy, 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 72 hours prior to launch.

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito 
Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning 72 hours prior to launch.

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal 
south of Kennedy at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north. 
This restriction is effective 72 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 U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florida Wildlife Commission, 
Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and NASA security forces share 
responsibility for enforcing the boating guidelines.

	
-end-



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