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

Historic District was established as a landing site for the orbiter’s return-to-earth and, if
necessary, a return-to-launch-site maneuver. Similar to a small airport, it contains a concrete
runway and an operational control building (the LACB). In addition, a steel hoisting device, the
MDD, is used to attach or detach the orbiter from the Shuttle Aircraft Carrier, should the orbiter
land at a facility other than KSC, or, historically, if the orbiter needed to go to Palmdale,
California for upgrades and refurbishments.
The SLF Runway is one of the longest runways in the world. Its length of 15,000 feet, with an
additional 1000-foot overrun at each end, was designed specifically to accommodate the high
velocity of the orbiter upon its return to earth. It is constructed of concrete and has a width of 300
feet and a thickness of 21 inches, necessary to accommodate the weight of the orbiter. There is
also a 50-foot asphalt shoulder along each side. At 2500 feet from each end, there is a pair of
large, black rectangles to indicate the orbiter touchdown positions. The peripheral placement of
these rectangles allows the orbiter’s commander to see where to land. The originally grooved
runway ends were resurfaced in 1988, to prevent future damage to the orbiter’s wheels. In 1994
the entire runway surface was abraded to a smoother surface to further reduce tire wear. Other
enhancements included resurfacing the runway overruns and rebuilding, strengthening and paving
the runway shoulders, and replacing runway edge lights.
The LACB is a single-story rectangular, Industrial Vernacular style structure located at the
southeast corner of the parking apron adjacent to the SLF. It is 17 feet in height and measures
approximately 80 feet by 58 feet, encompassing an area of approximately 4,650 square feet. The
operations room occupies the northwest corner of the building. Both the north and west walls
contain two, one-light fixed windows, which provide views of the runway as well as the MDD.
Computer and radar screens sit along these walls as well. A counter to the south separates the
control area from the remainder of the room, which serves as a waiting/lounge area. A hangar for
support equipment and shuttle training aircraft is situated to the southwest.
The MDD is located at the northeast corner of the parking apron at the SLF. Its overall
dimensions are 105 feet in length (east-west axis), 93 feet in width (north-south axis), and 105
feet in height. The open steel truss frame rests on a concrete base and utilizes open grating for the
six deck levels, located at 4 feet, 20 feet, 40 feet, 60 feet, 80 feet, and 100 feet above grade. The
MDD features two orbiter access arms, which can be raised and lowered within the first 60 feet.
Between these arms is the orbiter sling back, which is connected to the orbiter in order to lift it
with the use of three 50-ton hoists. There are also two sets of moveable platforms at 15-feet 7-
inches and 44 feet 3-inches above grade. These are shaped around the orbiter’s nose, and are
hinged to raise and lower vertically. At the northeast and southeast corners are open-grate metal
stairs, which extend from ground level to the highest deck. The original navigation equipment for
the runway sat at the top of the MDD until early 2006.
The district boundary extends from the outer perimeter of each contributing resource (the SLF
Runway, the LACB, and the MDD), approximately 10 feet, which includes all necessary
structures and components historically required for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The SLF Area Historic District is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP
in the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criterion A in the area of
Space Exploration and under Criterion C in the area of Engineering. Because it has achieved
significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. The period of significance
for the SLF Area Historic District is from 1976, the date of the completed construction of Phase I,
through 2010, the designated end of the Space Shuttle Program. The Space Shuttle Program is
the longest running American space program to date. Unlike the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo