john f. kennedy space center brevard county, florida - Environmental ...

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-48
NASA Kennedy Space Center
incorporated RCS, both of which use the hypergolic fuels MMH and nitrogen tetroxide,
which explode on contact. The HMP (North) is in good condition and maintains integrity
of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
6.2.26 Retrieval Ships Liberty Star (8BR2019) and Freedom Star (8BR2020)
Photo 6.42. Retrieval Ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star, looking east.
(Source: Archaeological Consultants, Inc., 2007).
Retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star were built in 1980 and 1981, respectively
at the Atlantic Marine Shipyard, Fort George Island, Florida. The nearly identical ships
measure approximately 176 ft in length and 37 ft in width and have four enclosed decks.
The lower deck contains the engine room and the crew quarters. The main deck includes
the galley and lounge in the forward area, and workshops and lockers in the aft area. This
level also contains the open deck at the stern of the ship. The retrieval cranes and
parachute reels sit in this area, and can be reconfigured for each mission. Deck 01
contains offices and quarters for the captain and chief scientist, and Deck 02 is the wheel
deck. The vessels also contain a Global Marine Distress and Safety System, a Dynamic
Positioning System (installed ca. 2002), satellite transmitter receivers, and radar tracking
used to detect any miscellaneous shuttle debris.
Since their original construction, permanent structural changes were made to both vessels
ca. 1997 and 1998 by Dentyen’s Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina in order to
support towing of the barge carrying the ET from the MAF in Louisiana to KSC.
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.