From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: Airspace, bridges and waterways restrictions will be in effect for launch of Atlantis on space shuttle mission STS-46 [Release 102-92/KSC] (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 19:12:48 GMT

          Bruce Buckingham                              July 27, 1992
          407/867-2468

          KSC RELEASE NO. 102 - 92


          AIRSPACE, BRIDGES AND WATERWAYS RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR
          LAUNCH OF ATLANTIS ON SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-46

               During preparations prior to Space Shuttle launches and
          immediately following liftoff, a number of restrictions are in
          effect around Kennedy Space Center. The launch of Atlantis on
          mission STS-46 is targeted for 9:56 a.m. EDT, July 31, 1992.

               Listed and described below are restrictions that apply to
          pilots, boaters and motor traffic crossing bridges leading to KSC.

          KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

               The airspace immediately surrounding Kennedy Space Center
          will be limited to official aircraft only and will be off-limits
          to general aviation pilots prior to and during the launch of the
          Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-46.

               NOTAMS must be checked by pilots prior to flights near the
          KSC area. Pilots are warned that violations of restricted airspace
          may result in serious penalties, including suspension or
          revocation of pilot privileges.

               Official aircraft supporting the launch will be in the air.
          Pilots must be aware that wandering into a restricted area is not
          only forbidden, but will also create a safety hazard to support
          aircraft and the errant pilot.

               Anyone wishing to view the launch from the air should stay
          well west of the Indian River. Pilots should be advised that the
          airspace in that area is expected to be extremely congested with
          both controlled and uncontrolled aircraft.

               Pilots should also be aware of the solid rocket booster (SRB)
          exhaust cloud that occurs after launch. They should stay at least
          five miles away from that cloud, even if it drifts out of the
          restricted area. Research aircraft will be flying into and out of
          the cloud, and visibility will be limited.

               In general, the airspace restrictions cover a variety of air
          ranges from now through launch. In addition to the normal
          restrictions over Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air
          Force Station, the launch will require that all private aircraft
          stay out of an area roughly bounded by the west side of the Indian
          River on the west, the Trident Basin (State Road 528 area) on the
          south, slightly north of Haulover Canal, and three miles out into
          the Atlantic on the east. The restrictions are "surface-to-
          unlimited." These launch-specific restrictions begin three hours
          before launch.

               Pilots should consult the most recent edition of the
          Jacksonville Sectional Aeronautical Chart. In addition, they
          should contact the St. Petersburg Flight Service Station at 1-800-
          99-27433 (1-800-WX-BRIEF). Advisories will be available from the
          Patrick Approach Control (VHF 134.95 megahertz), Space Center
          Executive Airport Tower (TIX) (VHF 118.9 megahertz), or the NASA
          Tower (128.55 megahertz).

               Pilots should also refer to the current Patrick Air Force
          Base release on restricted airspace.


          BRIDGES CONTROLLED FOR LAUNCH

               The opening and closing of bridges over waterways surrounding
          the Kennedy Space Center will be strictly controlled during the
          hours immediately before and after the launch period of the Space
          Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-46.

               Bridges affected by the launch requirements include:

               -- Canaveral Harbor Barge Canal (State Road 401, south of
          Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Gate 1);

               -- Indian River Causeway west, a.k.a. NASA Causeway
          (Intracoastal Waterway at Addison Point);

               -- Merritt Island Barge Canal (Merritt Island State Road 3);

               -- Haulover Canal Bridge (State Road 3, north of KSC).

               Restraints on bridge openings for boat traffic begin three
          hours before launch. The bridges may be opened for 5 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.

               Bridges will remain closed to boat traffic until 90 minutes
          after liftoff (T+90). They may then open for 5 minutes at T+90
          minutes, T+120 minutes, and T+150 minutes. Bridge operations will
          return to normal at three hours (T+180 minutes) after launch.

               Should the Shuttle orbiter be required to perform a Return-
          to-Launch-Site (RTLS) landing at KSC, all bridges would remain
          closed to boat traffic from 45 minutes before landing to one hour
          after landing.

          KSC AREA BOATING RESTRICTIONS

               Waterways and boating near the Kennedy Space Center will be
          strictly controlled prior to and during the launch of the Space
          Shuttle Atlantis.

               Safety and security requirements, including U.S. Air Force
          Range Safety impact limit lines, will go into effect as early as
          three days before launch. Other requirements will be phased into
          effect through sundown the night before launch. A general
          description of the restricted areas follows.

               Banana River: Security limits begin at the Banana River Barge
          Canal south of KSC at the State Road 528 crossing and extend
          north. This restriction goes into effect at sundown the night
          before launch.

               Atlantic Ocean: Beginning at sundown the night before launch,
          a general exclusion zone will be in effect three miles offshore
          from the Haulover Canal, near the north end of KSC, to the
          entrance of Port Canaveral on the south end of KSC. Four hours
          prior to launch, all ocean-going traffic will be restricted from
          entering an area measured from five miles north and south of the
          pad, and extending 30 miles east into the ocean. Pad 39-A is
          located at latitude 28 degrees, 36 minutes, 33 seconds north;
          longitude 80 degrees, 36 minutes, 15 seconds west. An additional
          three mile wide exclusion zone will be extended eastward through
          the projected flight path of the shuttle.

               Mosquito Lagoon: This area south of the Haulover Canal is off
          limits to all boats beginning at dusk the night before launch.

               Indian River: Restrictions apply from the NASA Causeway north
          to the Haulover Canal and east of the Indian River's main channel.
          Restrictions begin at sundown the night before launch.

               All boating restrictions will be lifted approximately one
          hour after launch.

               The U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
          KSC security forces share responsibility for enforcing the boating
          guidelines.
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