Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Why is Edwards the primary site?
Message-ID: <1991May10.153044.21402@zoo.toronto.edu>
Date: Fri, 10 May 1991 15:30:44 GMT
References: <3218.282A166A@ofa123.fidonet.org> <32726@usc>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology

In article <32726@usc> sharp@mizar.usc.edu (Malcolm Sharp) writes:
>I read that with the shuttle landing at KSC instead of Edwards it
>saves about $1million (plus time).  Why is Edwards used as the
>primary landing area?

Edwards has longer runways at a greater variety of angles (i.e. less trouble
with crosswinds) and, more important, far more predictable weather.  Surprise
thunderstorms are common at KSC; it is quite possible for one to develop in
the time between retrofire and landing.  It's actually a lousy place to put
a spaceport, as opposed to a rocket test range.
-- 
And the bean-counter replied,           | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
"beans are more important".             |  henry@zoo.toronto.edu  utzoo!henry