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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-49
NASA Kennedy Space Center
At the time of splashdown, the ships are positioned in their stations located about eight to
ten nautical miles from the SRBs’ impact area. Each ship is designed to recover one SRB,
including its parachutes and frustum. Booster retrieval operations are controlled from the
aft bridge of the ship; the forward area of the bridge is for the operation of the ship itself.
The ships tow the boosters, and their companion parts, to the dock near Hangar AF where
they are disassembled and cleaned.
Photo 6.43. Retrieval ship, Freedom Star, forward and rear decks.
(Source: Archaeological Consultants, Inc., 2006)
Retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star are considered eligible for listing in the
NRHP in the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under NRHP
Criterion A in the areas of Transportation and Space Exploration. Because they have
achieved exceptional significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G
applies. The two ships were designed and constructed specifically for the task of SRB
retrieval. Since 1998, they also have been used to support the transport of ETs from MAF
to KSC. In addition, Liberty Star and Freedom Star participated in the eight-month
recovery mission in response to the Challenger accident. Although both recovery ships
have undergone some equipment modifications, they continue to convey their historic
functions and maintain their integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling,
and association.
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.