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From: jabishop@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu (Jonathan A Bishop)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle,sci.aeronautics
Subject: Re: KSC trivia -> Skid strip?
Message-ID: <1991Jun9.204942.6293@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu>
Date: 9 Jun 91 20:49:42 GMT
References: <1991Jun9.122905.8236@news.larc.nasa.gov>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Lines: 24

bjax@grissom.larc.nasa.gov ( Bruce Jackson) writes:

>Anybody know the origins, purpose, and capabilities of the "skid strip"
>(NOT the shuttle landing facility!) at the Cape?  We're considering a
>lifting body vehicle that might need to abort to a runway closer to the
>launch pads than the shuttle landing runway.

     I dimly remember reading a story about this.  As I recall, the people
at the Cape wanted a runway, but were denied funding.  Someone suggested
that they should instead ask for a "skid strip" for landing missiles.
I seem to remember that they were Bomarcs, but I can't really see why you
would want to land a Bomarc.  Anyway, the point was that this "skid strip"
(wink, wink, nudge, nudge) was actually just an excuse for building a runway.

(I just had another thought: I think funding for the strip was denied because
highers-up told them that Canaveral A.F.S. was close enough.)
--------
jabishop@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu

"I'm with you, LEM, though it's a shame that it had to be you.
 The mother ship is just a blip from your train made for two.
 I'm with you, boys, so please employ just a little extra care.
 It's on my mind, I'm left behind when I should have been there."
                      --Jethro Tull, "For Michael Collins, Jeffrey, and Me"