Stay Out Or Else

NASA managers urge all aircraft pilots to fully comply with the airspace restrictions imposed around KSC prior to and during Space Shuttle launches and landings. Bridge and waterway restrictions will also be in effect.

"As always, we are coordinating with officials from the Eastern Range and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help provide a safe launch environment for the Shuttle crew and for interested spectators. Violating these restrictions is not only unsafe for the astronauts and support crews, it's unsafe for the violator," said KSC Launch Director Mike Leinbach.

Space Shuttle Discovery's first launch opportunity is on July 13 at 3:51 p.m. and the launch window extends for five minutes. At NASA's request, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol KSC's airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will be intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and will be subject to FAA enforcement action. A number of restrictions remain in effect around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) during the hours immediately following the launch of a Space Shuttle.

Listed and described below are restrictions that apply to pilots, motor vehicle operators and boaters utilizing airspace, bridges and waterways that lead to KSC.

KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS

For the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114, all restricted areas surrounding the Kennedy Space Center will be active and the area covered by flight restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch. The length of time the restrictions will be in effect prior to launch has also been extended.

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 (TFR) could cause a scrub in the launch of Discovery, 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 that the launch can occur on time and without incident.

The restricted areas for the KennedySpace Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are in effect on a continuous basis and are limited to official aircraft only, off-limits to general aviation pilots. The restricted air space extends from the surface to but not including 14,000 feet and 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.

On launch day these restricted areas will be expanded and will be activated beginning at launch minus 9 hours. On Wednesday, July 13 this occurs at 6:45 a.m. EDT and remains in effect until 6:50 p.m. EDT. Should the launch be scrubbed after the astronauts have boarded Space Shuttle Discovery, the restrictions will remain in effect for three hours after the postponement has been announced.

FAA Part 91, Part 125, general aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a 30 nautical mile radius of Launch Pad 39-B from the surface to but not including 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree radial at 30 nautical miles). Among the general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville, Merritt Island Airport in Merritt Island, Rockledge Airpark in Rockledge and Massey Ranch in Edgewater.

Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles of Pad 39-B, a discrete transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air traffic control before entering this airspace. Continuous radio communications must be maintained.

Before flight, pilots should contact the FAA Flight Service Station at 1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for details of the restrictions contained in the NOTAMS. In flight, outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should contact Daytona Beach Approach control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area contact Daytona Approach on 132.65, or in the New Smyrna Beach area 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 in Titusville at 118.9 megahertz.

Among the airports affected within the 30-40 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, the New Smyrna Beach and Spruce Creek airports, Melbourne International Airport and Valkaria. Pilots are encouraged to consult the most recent FAA aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B air space.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/returntoflight