Date: February 2nd 2008

Feb 1, 2008

George Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 george h diller@nasa gov

RELEASE: 01-08

AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAY RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR STS-122

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla - For the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, NASA managers are urging all aircraft pilots and boaters to fully comply with the airspace, bridges and waterway restrictions imposed around Kennedy Space Center prior to and during shuttle launches and landings

The first launch opportunity is Thursday, Feb 7, with liftoff scheduled for 2:45 p m EST This launch time is approximately in the middle of a 10-minute launch window At NASA's request, U S Air Force and U S Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol Eastern Range airspace boundaries on launch day Violators will be intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and subject to enforcement action by the Federal Aviation Administration A number of restrictions remain in effect around Kennedy during the hours immediately following the launch of a space shuttle

The following are restrictions that apply to pilots, boaters and motor vehicle operators using the airspace, waterways, or roads and bridges that lead to Kennedy

KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

For the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-122, all restricted areas surrounding Kennedy will be active and the area covered by flight restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch

Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security is essential to protect the space shuttle as a national asset An inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, could cause a scrub in the launch of Atlantis, the activation of airspace defenses and an FAA enforcement action Local pilots are asked to help NASA by respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so the launch can occur on time and without incident

The Eastern Range restricted airspace for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is in effect on a continuous basis and is off limits to general aviation pilots Access is limited to official aircraft only The restricted airspace normally covers the area bounded by the Indian River to the west, Port Canaveral to the south, the city of Oak Hill to the north, and three miles over the Atlantic Ocean to the east Pilots are encouraged to consult the current FAA aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace

On launch day, these restricted areas will be expanded by the TFR and will be activated seven hours before the launch window opens This will continue in effect until 30 minutes after launch, after which the standard restricted areas for Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station will remain in effect On Thursday, Feb 7, the TFR will be activated at 7:30 a m The launch is targeted to occur at 2:45 p m within a TFR launch period that extends from 2:30 to 3:01 p m If launch were to occur at the end of the period, then the TFR would remain in effect until 3:31 p m If the launch is scrubbed, pilots should check NOTAMs for the hours the TFR will be in effect for the next launch attempt

General aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a 30-nautical-mile radius of Launch Pad 39A from the surface to (but not including) 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree radial at 30 6 nautical miles) Among the public-use general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast Regional Airport and Arthur Dunn Airpark, both in Titusville, and Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island

Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles, a discrete transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air traffic control before entering this airspace Continuous radio communications must be maintained

Among the public-use airports affected within the 30 to 40-nautical-mile radius in which flight is permitted but under positive air traffic control are Orlando International Airport, Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport, New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Melbourne International Airport, Valkaria Airport and Massey Ranch

Before flight, pilots should contact the St Petersburg Flight Service Station at 1-800/WxBrief, 800-992-7433, for details of the restrictions contained in the NOTAMs

In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should contact Orlando Approach control on 134 95 In the Melbourne area, contact Orlando Approach control on 132 65 In southern Volusia County, contact Orlando Approach control on 125 35 Flight Service can also be reached locally by radio on the Titusville RCO at 123 6 or the Melbourne RCO on 122 6 Advisories will also be available from the control tower at Space Coast Regional Airport at 118 9 megahertz

BRIDGES AND ACCESS HIGHWAYS CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH

The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding Kennedy will be strictly controlled during the hours immediately before and after the launch period for each space shuttle mission

Bridges affected by the launch include:

Port Canaveral Barge Canal (State Road 401);
Indian River/NASA Causeway West (Intracoastal Waterway);
Merritt Island Barge Canal (Merritt Island State Road 3);
Haulover Canal (State Road 3, north of Kennedy Space Center)

Restraints on bridge openings for boat traffic begin three hours before launch The bridges may be opened for five minutes at the following points in the launch countdown: T-180 minutes, T-150 minutes, T-120 minutes, T-90 minutes and T-65 minutes Adding 20 minutes to these times and then subtracting the total number of minutes from the opening of the 10-minute launch window (2:40 p m ) will result in an approximate time of openings

Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes after liftoff (T+90) They may then open for five minutes at T+90, T+120 minutes and T+150 minutes Bridge operations will return to normal three hours after launch (T+180 minutes)

Should the shuttle be required to perform a return-to-launch-site landing at Kennedy, all bridges would remain closed to boat traffic from 45 minutes before landing until at least one hour after landing

State Road 3 from the Gate 2 Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway) via Space Commerce Way will be closed on launch day, Feb 7, beginning at 11 a m NASA Causeway between the Kennedy Visitor Complex and the U S Astronaut Hall of Fame will also be closed starting at that time Only badged employees and guests with passes will be permitted access These roads will reopen approximately two hours after launch

Effective Monday, Feb 4, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore will be closed until the day after launch

State Road 406 east to State Road 3, and State Road 3 south from the Haulover Canal bridge to State Road 402 leading to Titusville will be open to badged personnel These roads will close to all vehicle traffic at 12:40 p m on Feb 7 until after a successful launch has occurred

KSC AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

Waterways and boating near Kennedy will be strictly controlled prior to and during the launch of Atlantis on STS-122

Safety and security requirements, including Air Force range safety impact limit lines, will go into effect three days before launch Other requirements will be phased into effect through sunset the night before launch A general description of the area follows:

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Beginning at 2:40 p m on Monday, Feb 4 (L-3 days) and continuing through launch, a general exclusion zone will be in effect three miles offshore from the Haulover Canal, near the north end of Kennedy, and southward to Port Canaveral Four hours prior to launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted from entering an area measured from nine miles north and south of the launch pad and extending 64 miles east into the ocean An additional three-mile-wide exclusion zone will be extended eastward along the flight path of the space shuttle

INDIAN RIVER: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north to the Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel Restrictions begin 72 hours prior to launch

MOSQUITO LAGOON: This area south of the Haulover Canal in the Mosquito Lagoon is off limits to all boats beginning 72 hours prior to launch

BANANA RIVER: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge Canal south of Kennedy at the State Road 528 crossing and extend north This restriction is effective 72 hours prior to launch

All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one hour after launch Boating interests should monitor Coast Guard Channel 16 broadcasting from Port Canaveral The U S Coast Guard, U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florida Wildlife Commission, Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and NASA security forces share responsibility for enforcing the boating guidelines

-end-

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