Space shuttle landing sites
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Primary Space Shuttle Landing Sites: Kennedy Space Center and Edwards Air Force Base
The main landing sites for the Space Shuttle were the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida and Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California. KSC was the preferred site due to its proximity to the launch location and its specialized Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), which was constructed in the 1970s with high-performance concrete to meet the unique operational requirements of shuttle landings. The SLF has been maintained to a very high standard to ensure safety and reliability for returning orbiters . Edwards AFB served as a backup landing site, especially when weather or other conditions made KSC unavailable .
Weather and Safety Considerations for Shuttle Landings
Weather played a critical role in determining whether a landing could proceed at a given site. The National Weather Service Spaceflight Meteorology Group provided highly specialized forecasts and nowcasts for shuttle landings, focusing on factors like cloud cover, wind, visibility, precipitation, turbulence, and thunderstorms. These forecasts were essential for both scheduled and emergency landings, as weather-related issues were a leading cause of delays or diversions from the primary landing sites 37.
Emergency and Abort Landing Sites: Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) Locations
In the event of an emergency during ascent, such as engine failure or loss of cabin pressurization, the shuttle could not always return to its primary landing sites. For these situations, NASA designated several Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites around the world. Examples include Ben Guerir Air Base in Morocco and Yundum Airport in The Gambia. These sites were chosen for their long runways and ability to support emergency landings, including the provision of medical aid and other support services .
Site Selection and Shuttle Abort Flight Management
Selecting the best landing site during an abort scenario depended on several factors, including the shuttle's position, energy state, and glide capability at the time of the emergency. Preflight planning provided crews with detailed checklists and decision trees to guide site selection. Advances in cockpit avionics, such as the Shuttle Abort Flight Management (SAFM) system, were developed to help crews quickly assess their options and make informed decisions during critical situations .
Environmental and Wildlife Hazards at Landing Sites
Birdstrike risk was a significant safety concern, especially at KSC and Edwards AFB. Studies showed that the risk of birdstrikes was highest during the fall and early winter at KSC, with larger birds posing the greatest threat. Raptors were identified as a particular hazard at Vandenberg AFB during the summer. These risks were assessed using bird population data and avoidance models to inform landing decisions and minimize potential hazards .
Conclusion
Space Shuttle landing site selection was a complex process involving primary sites like Kennedy Space Center and Edwards AFB, with additional emergency options at international TAL sites. Weather forecasting, site maintenance, and wildlife risk assessments were all critical to ensuring safe landings. Advances in onboard decision support systems further improved the crew’s ability to respond to emergencies and select the safest possible landing site under a variety of conditions 123457.
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