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

overrun, a series of approach lights begins, ending 1000 feet into the actual runway. Each set of
lights stands 200 feet apart. Prior to the runway, each set is comprised of five, constantly lit,
above-grade fixtures and one additional sequential flasher, placed atop a junction box. Those
within the runway are in-grade fixtures, so as not to hinder the aircraft. There is also a group of
four xenon search lights on each side of the overrun at each end. The painted “15” and “33” at
the center of the ends of the runway signal the touchdown locations for commercial aircraft using
the strip. 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. All painted features use industry standard paint containing
reflective beads.
Lining each side of the runway is a canal, now used mainly for animal control. These canals were
originally dug to create a flat surface for the runway. Near the center of the runway, to the
northeast, is the circa 2005 Air Traffic Control tower, complete with viewing stands for the press
and members of the public. Also in this vicinity is the fire and rescue vehicle building. At the
southeast end of the runway is a 550-foot by 490-foot parking apron. The Mate-Demate Device
sits at the northeast corner of this apron, with the Landing Aids Control Building to its southeast.
There is also an Orbiter Towway for the orbiter to be taken to the Orbiter Processing Facilities.
In addition, numerous other navigation and landing aids lie along the runway. These include the
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system for range and bearing measurements when the Orbiter
is up to 145,000 ft altitude and the Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System (MSBLS) for
more precise guidance signals on slant range, azimuth and elevation when the orbiter is up to
18,000-20,000 ft.
The resource boundary extends from the outer perimeter of the Shuttle Landing Facility
(Runway) approximately 10 feet, which includes the runway, its shoulders and overruns, and
necessary components, such as runway lights, historically required for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The SLF Runway 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 areas of Space
Exploration and Transportation and under Criterion C in the area of Engineering. Because it has
achieved significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. In addition to its
individual eligibility, the SLF Runway also is a contributing resource within the SLF Area
Historic District. The period of significance for the SLF Runway is from 1976, the date of its
completed construction, 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 programs, the emphasis was on cost effectiveness and reusability, as
well as the construction of a space. The SLF Runway is significant as the site where all five
orbiters originally arrived at KSC from their assembly plant in Palmdale, California. It serves as
the main landing site for the Shuttle vehicle, or as a return from landing site when weather or
other issues necessitated the use of Edwards AFB as the landing facility. Under Criterion C, the
SLF Runway was specifically engineered for the space shuttle orbiter. The 15,000-foot length of
the runway, excluding the 1,000-foot overruns at each end, was necessary due to the speed, 303
mph, with which the orbiter lands. This length also makes the SLF Runway one of the longest
runways in the world. In addition, the thickness of the runway, 16 inches at the center and 15
inches at the sides, is necessary to accommodate the weight of the orbiter. As the primary
landing site for the orbiter, the SLF runway is of exceptional importance to the Space Shuttle
Program, and because it is less than 50 years in age, Criteria Consideration G applies.
INTEGRITY: The SLF Runway maintains a high level of integrity with regards to location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.