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

The forecastle deck, or Deck 01, sits within the forward 100 ft of the vessel, slanting from
approximately 29 ft off of the base at the forward end to 23 ft off of the base at the aft end. It
consists of an enclosed area surrounded by an open deck area. The enclosed portion of the deck
begins 40 ft from the bow of the ship, and has approximate overall dimensions of 36 ft in length
and 26 ft in width. Its layout is based on a double-loaded corridor plan, with the Chief Scientist’s
cabin and the Captain’s cabin on the starboard side, and the ship’s office and Captain’s office on
the port side. On the aft end of the deck, along the starboard side, is the boat deck. The smoke
stack pierces through this deck on the aft end of the port side. The bridge deck, or Deck 02, sits
directly over the enclosed area of Deck 01, slanting from approximately 33 ft off of the base at
the forward end to 31 ft off of the base at the aft end. As its name suggests, the room, which
measures roughly 34 ft in length and 17 ft in width, contains the equipment necessary for the
vessel’s operations, including the wheel, engine controls, and chart table. It is the only deck that
contains large, fixed windows on all sides. In addition, it is surrounded on all four sides by an
open walkway, which measures approximately 3 ft in width.
The resource boundary incorporates all components within the perimeter of the external shell of
the Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, which includes all necessary components historically required
for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Freedom Star is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP under
Criterion A in the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) in the area of
Transportation. Because it has achieved significance within the past 50 years, Criteria
Consideration G applies. The period of significance for the Freedom Star is from 1981, the date
of the first Space Shuttle launch, 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 station. The Freedom Star was designed and constructed
specifically for the task of SRB retrieval. It is still used for this purpose, and in 1998, added the
task of transporting ETs from the Michoud Assembly Facility, near New Orleans, to KSC. In
addition, the Freedom Star participated in the eight-month recovery mission in response to the
Challenger accident. As a result of SRB retrieval, the ship serves to facilitate the reuse of flight
hardware, thereby controlling costs and contributing significantly to the on-going operations of
the Space Shuttle Program. As such, the Freedom Star is of exceptional importance to the Space
Shuttle Program, and because it is less than 50 years in age, Criteria Consideration G applies.
INTEGRITY: Although the Freedom Star has undergone some structural enhancements and
equipment modifications, it continues to convey its historical functions and maintain its integrity
of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.