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From: kaplow@pobox.enet.dec.com (Bob Kaplow)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Watching Shuttle Landings at KSC
Message-ID: <1991Apr16.164855.14239@engage.enet.dec.com>
Date: 16 Apr 91 17:40:18 GMT
Sender: news@engage.enet.dec.com (USENET News System)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 41

In article <8502@crash.cts.com>, root@crash.cts.com (Bill Blue) writes...
>I've watched a number of shuttle take offs at KSC, but I've never seen a
>landing there.  Short of being on the property itself, where is/are the best
>place(s) to see the shuttle land if Kennedy is chosen instead of Edwards?
> 
>What is the orientation of the runway?  Is it likely based on wind that the
>shuttle could land in one of the two directions, or is only one of the
>directions acceptable?

    I tried to see the runway while I was down for the STS-37 
launch. It is west of the 39A/B complex, with its south end not far 
from the VAB. We didn't take the tour, but drove on a public road 
(SR 402, closed 24 hrs before launch operations) out to the Canaveral beach. 
That took us right past the north end of the runway, but there are 
so many weeds growing there that it remained hidden from view. The 
runway is just west of SR 3, and parallel to it. That area is not 
open to the public.

    As to orientation, the map I have of the KSC shows that the 
orientation is roughly NW/SE, about 15/33. Given what I experienced 
when I was there, it would seem that they would always have a 
cross-wind. Due to the sea vs land temperatures, the winds around 
the cape seem to be either easterly or westerly. I don't see where 
they could have built that long an E/W runway thou.

    If they land south to north, then anywhere on the Merrit Island 
complex should be good for watching the approach. I don't think that 
there is any place to see the actual runway. For a north approach, 
somewhere up the coast on US 1 or along the beach might be good. 
Having never seen a landing, I doubt it could be as impressive as 
the launch. Yet, if one were happening while I was there, I'd sure 
go out and see what there was to see.

    Edwards should be a much bettewr site to view from. Everytinng 
is flat and deserted, with no brush in thew way.

Bob Kaplow 		| UUCP:	...!decwrl!pobox.enet.dec.com!kaplow
Digital Equipment Corp. | ARPA:	kaplow@pobox.enet.dec.com
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    	There is no such thing as a free launch!