NASA <br />National Aeronautics and<br />Space Administration<br /><br /><br />John F. Kennedy Space Center<br />Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899<br />AC 321-867-2468<br />____________________________________________________________________________<br />_______________________________<br />George H. Diller<br />For Release: Jan. 13, 2003<br />321/867-2468<br />KSC Release No: 007-03 <br /><br /><br />EXPANDED AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS PLANNED FOR JAN. 16 SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH<br /><br /><br />The launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-107 is scheduled for<br />Thursday, Jan. 16. All restricted areas surrounding the Kennedy Space<br />Center will be active and the area covered by flight restrictions has once<br />again been expanded for this launch. The length of time the restrictions<br />will be in effect prior to launch has also been extended.<br /><br /><br />Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security is essential<br />to protect the Space Shuttle as a national asset. An inadvertent<br />unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape Canaveral Temporary Flight<br />Restriction (TFR) could cause a scrub in the launch of Columbia, the<br />activation of airspace defenses and an FAA enforcement action. Local pilots<br />are asked to help NASA by respecting these temporary but necessary<br />restrictions so that the launch can occur on time and without incident.<br /><br /><br />The expanded area will be activated on Thursday, Jan. 16 beginning at 1:40<br />a.m. EST and will remain in effect until 5:40 p.m. EST. However, the TFR is<br />expected to lifted earlier once it can be confirmed that Columbia is safely<br />on orbit and no return to launch site (RTLS) or abort once around (AOA) will<br />be necessary. Should the launch be scrubbed after the astronauts have<br />boarded Space Shuttle Columbia, the restrictions will remain in effect for<br />three hours after the postponement has been announced. The launch time will<br />be issued 24 hours in advance, but not later than 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan.<br />15. <br /><br /><br />FAA Part 91, Part 125, general aviation and VFR operations are prohibited<br />within a 30 nautical mile radius of Launch Pad 39-A from the surface to but<br />not including 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree<br />radial at 30 nautical miles). Among the general aviation airports affected<br />within this area are Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn<br />Airpark in Titusville, Merritt Island Airport in Merritt Island, Rockledge<br />Airpark in Rockledge and Massey Ranch in Edgewater.<br /><br /><br />Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles of Pad 39-A, a<br />discrete transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air<br />traffic control before entering this airspace. Continuous radio<br />communications must be maintained.<br /><br /><br />Before flight, pilots should contact the FAA Flight Service Station at<br />1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for details of the restrictions contained in<br />the NOTAMS. In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should<br />contact Daytona Beach Approach control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area<br />contact Daytona Approach on 132.65, or in the New Smyrna Beach area on<br />125.35. Flight Service can also be reached locally by radio on the<br />Titusville RCO at 123.6 or the Melbourne RCO on 122.6.<br /><br /><br />Among the airports affected within the 30-40 nautical mile radius in which<br />flight is permitted but under positive air traffic control are Orlando<br />International Airport, Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando-Sanford<br />International Airport, the New Smyrna Beach and Spruce Creek airports,<br />Melbourne International Airport and Valkaria.<br /><br /><br />The necessity for and scope of these increased restrictions is reviewed<br />prior to each launch.<br /><br /><br />###