Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!eagle!allegra!karn
From: karn@allegra.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.columbia
Subject: Re: Shuttle Security
Message-ID: <2043@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Nov-83 17:42:10 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.2043
Posted: Tue Nov 29 17:42:10 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Dec-83 04:08:48 EST
References: <1097@ucf-cs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 34

I don't understand how anyone can say that there was no security at
Kennedy surrounding the shuttle launch complex.

I was there for STS-9 starting on Saturday (T-2 days) with press
credentials.  I lost track of how many roadblocks we had to pass through
and how many times we had to individually show our badges and car
passes. Armed guards were present at all intersections in the areas
leading to the pad, VAB, landing strip, etc.  When we took the bus tours
out to the pad areas on the day before launch, we had to exchange our
badges for red hazard area passes so that they would know who was trying
to hide in the bushes.  This was true even though we were not taken
through the perimeter fence around the launch pad - only on the Saturn
Causeway running parallel to the crawlerway and around on Cape Road on
the east side of the pad.

It should be pointed out that pad 39A (used for STS-9) is the southernmost
pad at Launch Complex 39; pad B, when it becomes operational, will most
likely push the security perimeter much further north along the beach.

Despite the ubiquitous presence of security people, they were universally
courteous and polite to us, and I think everybody good-naturedly
accepted the need for at least SOME of the hassles.  Its a shame that a
realistic view of human nature makes security necessary.  I would say,
though, that concern for safety is probably a larger factor than
protection against crazies.  KSC is so large that just accounting for
each and every person's whereabouts at the time of launch, even when
they aren't intentionally trying to violate the security zones, must be
a major challenge.

After you've first seen how enormous the pad area is, and then
how fast the blast wave from SRB ignition spreads to cover the entire
area, you begin to develop a very healthy respect for the beast.

Phil Karn