View source for Shuttle Landing Facility

{{short description|Airport located at Kennedy Space Center}}
{{redirect|X68|the computer|X68000}}
{{Infobox airport
 | name = Shuttle Landing Facility
 | image = Lunar planetary landscape and runway at KSC built to test Morpheus lander.jpg
 | caption                   = Aerial view of Shuttle Landing Facility in 2012
 | IATA         = QQS
 | ICAO         = KTTS
 | FAA          = TTS
 | type         = Government/Private
 | owner        = [[NASA]]
 | operator    = {{Unbulleted list
  | NASA (1976–2015)
  | [[Space Florida]] (2015–present)
}}
 | built        = 1974
 | opened       = 1976
 | location     = [[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]], [[Florida]]
 | elevation-f  = 10
 | elevation-m  = 3
 | coordinates  = {{coord|28.615|-80.6945|region:US-FL_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
 | r1-number   = 15/33
 | r1-length-f = 15,000
 | r1-length-m = 4,572
 | r1-surface  = [[Concrete]]
 | occupants                 = [[Kennedy Space Center]]
 | pushpin_map            = Florida
 | pushpin_map_caption    = Location of airport in Florida
 | pushpin_relief         = yes
 | pushpin_label          = SLF
}}{{Kennedy Space Center map|highlight=4}}The '''Shuttle Landing Facility''' ('''SLF'''), also known as '''Launch and Landing Facility''' ('''LLF''')<ref>{{Cite web |title=Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) – Space Florida |url=https://www.spaceflorida.gov/facilities/llf/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |language=en-US}}</ref> {{Airport codes|QQS|KTTS|TTS}}, is an [[airport]] located on [[Merritt Island, Florida|Merritt Island]] in [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard County]], [[Florida]], [[United States]]. It is a part of the [[Kennedy Space Center]] and was used by [[Space Shuttle]] for landing until July 2011. It was also used for takeoffs and landings for NASA training jets such as the [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft]] and for civilian aircraft.<ref name="SLF">{{Cite web|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/facilities/slf.html|title=Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF)|access-date=November 7, 2007|publisher=NASA|year=2007|author=NASA|archive-date=May 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527194438/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/facilities/slf.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="landing101">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/launch/landing101.html|title=Shuttle Landing 101|access-date=November 7, 2007|publisher=NASA|year=2007|author=NASA|archive-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204001432/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/launch/landing101.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Starting in 2015, [[Space Florida]] manages and operates the facility under a 30-year lease from NASA. In addition to ongoing use by NASA, private companies have been utilizing the SLF since the 2011 end of the [[Space Shuttle program]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NASA Signs Agreement with Space Florida to Operate Historic Landing Facility|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-signs-agreement-with-space-florida-to-operate-historic-landing-facility-1|publisher=NASA|access-date=5 November 2015|date=June 22, 2015}}</ref>

==Facilities==
The Shuttle Landing Facility covers {{convert|500|acre|km2}} and has a single runway, 15/33. It is [[List of longest runways|one of the longest runways in the world]], at {{convert|15000|ft}}, and is {{convert|300|ft}} wide.<ref name="SLF" /> (Despite its length, astronaut [[Jack R. Lousma]] stated that he would have preferred the runway to be "half as wide and twice as long"<ref name="lousma20100315">{{cite interview | title = Jack R. Lousma Edited Oral History Transcript | url=https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/oral_histories/LousmaJR/LousmaJR_3-15-10.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017123350/https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/oral_histories/LousmaJR/LousmaJR_3-15-10.htm | archive-date=October 17, 2019 | date=2010-03-15 | access-date=February 18, 2012 | last=Lousma | first=Jack R. | subject-link=Jack R. Lousma | interviewer=Ross-Nazzal, Jennifer | work=NASA Johnson Space Center Oral History Project}}</ref>) Additionally, the SLF has {{convert|305|m|order=flip}} of paved overruns at each end.  The [[Mate-Demate Device]] (MDD), for use when the Shuttle was transported by the [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft]], was located just off the southern end of the runway.<ref name="SLF" />

The runway is designated runway 15, or 33, depending on the direction of use. The runway surface consists of an extremely high-[[friction]] [[concrete]] strip designed to maximize the braking ability of the [[Space Shuttle]] at its high landing speed, with a paving thickness of {{convert|40.6|cm|in|order=flip}} at the center.<ref name="SLF" /> It uses a grooved design to provide drainage and further increase the coefficient of friction.<ref name="SLF" />  The original groove design was found to actually provide too much friction for the rubber used in the Shuttle's tires, causing failures during several landings. This issue was resolved by grinding down the pavement, reducing the depth of the grooves significantly.<ref>{{cite report|title=Texture Modification of the Shuttle Landing FacilityRunway at Kennedy Space Center|first1=Robert H. |last1=Daugherty |first2=Thomas J. |last2=Yager|url=https://www.cs.odu.edu/~mln/ltrs-pdfs/NASA-97-tp3626.pdf|date=May 1997|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref>

A local nickname for the runway is the "gator tanning facility", as some of the 4,000 [[American Alligator|alligators]] living at Kennedy Space Center regularly bask in the sunlight on the runway.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Howard |title=Foot to the floor, aiming for 200mph |url=https://www.palmbeachillustrated.com/foot-floor-aiming-200mph/ |website=Palm Beach Illustrated |access-date=17 August 2022 |date=10 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="tv">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/alligators/kscovr.html|title=Alligators and Rocketships|publisher=NASA|year=2008|author=NASA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512014453/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/alligators/kscovr.html|archive-date=2009-05-12}}</ref>

The landing facility is managed by contractor [[EG&G]], which provides air traffic control services, as well as managing potential hazards to landing aircraft, such as bird life.  The Bird Team kept the facility clear of both local and migratory birds during Shuttle landings using [[pyrotechnic]]s, blank rounds fired from [[shotgun]]s and a series of 25 [[propane]] cannons arranged around the facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/clearbirds.html|title=Bird Team Clears Path for Space Shuttles|last=Herridge|first=Linda|date=August 12, 2009|publisher=NASA|access-date=2009-08-13|archive-date=2017-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618004513/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/clearbirds.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History and usage ==
===Space Shuttle===
''[[Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]'' was the first Shuttle to arrive at the SLF via the [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft]] on March 24, 1979.<ref name="KSC History Quiz">{{cite web|title=Kennedy History Quiz|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/history/quiz_page_prt.htm#17|publisher=NASA|access-date=5 November 2015|archive-date=3 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603122438/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/history/quiz_page_prt.htm#17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The runway was first used to land a Space Shuttle on February 11, 1984, when ''[[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger's]] ''[[STS-41-B]] mission returned to Earth.  This also marked the first landing of a spacecraft at its launch site.  Prior to this, all Shuttle landings were performed at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] in [[California]] (with the exception of [[STS-3]], which landed at [[White Sands Space Harbor]]) while the landing facility continued testing and Shuttle crews developed landing skills at White Sands and Edwards, where the margin for error is much greater than SLF and its water hazards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Landing Sites| date=15 November 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XeKS0MeLsA|publisher=NASA|access-date=November 18, 2022}}</ref>  On September 22, 1993, ''[[Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]'' was the first Space Shuttle to land at night at the SLF on [[STS-51]]. A total of 78 Space Shuttle missions landed at the SLF.<ref name="KSC History Quiz"/>

The final landing of a Space Shuttle occurred on July 21, 2011, by ''[[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]'' for [[STS-135]]. ''Discovery'' and ''[[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' took off from the SLF on top of the [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft#Ferry flights|Shuttle Carrier Aircraft]] for museums in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

===Boeing X-37B===
In January 2014 it was announced that Boeing would lease the [[Orbiter Processing Facility]] at Kennedy Space Center to enable the U.S. Air Force to efficiently land, recover, refurbish, and re-launch the [[X-37B]] uncrewed spacecraft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://spaceref.biz/2014/01/boeing-expands-at-ksc-to-support-x-37b-program.html |title=Boeing Expands at KSC To Support X-37B Program |access-date=2020-03-13 |archive-date=2014-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201193403/http://spaceref.biz/2014/01/boeing-expands-at-ksc-to-support-x-37b-program.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

In October 2014, NASA signed agreement for the use of the facility, and Boeing upgraded the OPF-1 for the X-37B program.<ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/october/nasa-partners-with-x-37b-program-for-use-of-former-space-shuttle-hangars/ NASA Partners with X-37B Program for Use of Former Space Shuttle Hangars]</ref>

The X-37B ([[OTV-4]] mission) first used [[Kennedy Space Center]]'s Shuttle Landing Facility Runway 15 on May 7, 2017 at 11:47&nbsp;UTC.<ref name="sfnow20170507">{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/07/x-37b-spaceplane-returns-to-earth-and-makes-precision-autopilot-landing/ |title=X-37B spaceplane returns to Earth and makes autopilot landing in Florida |work=Spaceflight Now |first=Justin |last=Ray |date=7 May 2017 |access-date=7 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508013454/https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/07/x-37b-spaceplane-returns-to-earth-and-makes-precision-autopilot-landing/ |archive-date=8 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/07/us/air-force-x-37b-landing-trnd/index.html |title=Air Force's mysterious space plane lands, wakes up Florida |work=CNN |first=Amanda |last=Jackson |date=8 May 2017 |access-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715191334/http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/07/us/air-force-x-37b-landing-trnd/index.html |archive-date=15 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently  OTV-5 and 6 mission used Shuttle Landing Facility Runway 33 for landing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=X-37B Information |url=https://x37b.nl/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=x37b.nl}}</ref>

===Project Morpheus testing===
In 2012, [[NASA's Johnson Space Center]]'s [[Project Morpheus]]'s first vehicle arrived at KSC. Prior to arrival at KSC and throughout the project, Morpheus vehicle tests were performed at other NASA centers; KSC was the site for advanced testing. Multiple tests, including free flight, were performed at the SLF in 2013–2014. Multiple vehicles and iterations of the vehicles were tested, due to upgrades and damages during this experimental test program. During the August 9, 2012, test at the SLF, a vehicle exploded; no one was injured.

===Commercial use===
The SLF has also been used by commercial users. [[Zero Gravity Corporation]], which offers flights where passengers experience [[Vomit Comet|brief periods of microgravity]], has operated from the SLF,<ref>{{cite press release |title=NASA Hosts Zero-G Flights at Space Shuttle Landing Facility |first=Jessica |last=Rye |date=2005-10-31 |agency=[[Kennedy Space Center|John F. Kennedy Space Center]]<!--- name per the cited article ---> |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2005/release-20051031.html |access-date=2022-11-14 |archive-date=2023-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705190936/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2005/release-20051031.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> as have record-setting attempts by the [[Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kennedy Hosts GlobalFlyer |date=2006-01-13 |work=[[Kennedy Space Center|John F. Kennedy Space Center]]<!--- name per the cited article ---> |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/global_flyer_prt.htm |access-date=2022-11-14 |archive-date=2023-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622140941/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/global_flyer_prt.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The SLF has been the site of high performance automobile testing and speed record attempts. In 2010, [[NASCAR]] teams used the facility for vehicle testing.<ref>{{cite news |title=From Runway to Racetrack: NASCAR Team Tests at Kennedy |first=Steven |last=Siceloff |date=2010-07-06 |work=[[Kennedy Space Center|John F. Kennedy Space Center]]<!--- name per the cited article ---> |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/nascartesting.html |access-date=2022-11-14 |archive-date=2023-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705191004/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/nascartesting.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, Performance Power's Johnny Bohmer drove his Ford GT modified test car at the SLF,<ref name=KSCPartners>{{cite news |title=Performance Power LLC |author=Information Technology & Communications Services Directorate |editor-first=Anna |editor-last=Ryan |work=[[Kennedy Space Center]] Partnerships |url=http://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov/Success-Stories/Partnerships/Performance-Power-LLC |access-date=2022-11-14 |archive-date=2022-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814010807/https://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov/Success-Stories/Partnerships/Performance-Power-LLC |url-status=dead }}</ref>  setting the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' mark for 'Fastest standing mile – car' with a record {{convert|283|mph|abbr=on}}, which still stands as of March 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fastest Standing Mile - Car |date= |work=Guinness World Records|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-standing-mile-%e2%80%93-car |access-date=2022-11-14}}</ref> Bohmer impressed the fact that the partnership agreement with NASA and the SLF to test the technology and designs and collect engineering data meant that "[B]y NASA allowing us access to a one-of-a-kind facility, we are given the opportunity to explore these technologies and share their benefits."<ref name=KSCPartners/>

In 2014, in an attempt at an unofficial [[Production car speed record#Cars excluded from the list|production car speed record]] at the SLF, a [[Hennessey Venom GT#Speed records|Hennessey Venom GT]] recorded a top speed of {{convert|270.49|mph|abbr=on}}. In 2021, in a similar attempt at the SLF, the [[SSC Tuatara]] recorded a one-way speed of {{convert|286.1|mph|abbr=on}} and a two-way average of {{convert|282.9|mph|abbr=on}}.

In 2019, the [[Gulfstream G650ER]] of the multinational One More Orbit flight mission recorded the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth via the north and south poles of 46 h 40 min 22 s.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Record-breaking Business Jet Flight Film Set for Release |first=Mike |last=Stones |date=2020-08-19 |website=CorporateJetInvestor.com |url=https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/one-more-orbit-record-bizjet-flight-film-poised-for-distribution-123/ |access-date=2022-11-14}}</ref> The Shuttle Landing Facility served as launch and landing site for the world speed record, certified by the [[Guinness World Records]] and the World Air Sports Federation [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fastest circumnavigation via both Poles by aeroplane |date=2019-07-11 |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-circumnavigation-via-both-poles-by-aeroplane |access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200" perrow="6">
File:SLF in 1999.png|Aerial view of Shuttle Landing Facility in 1999
File:ShuttleLandingFacilityMateDemate.jpg|The Mate-Demate Device at the Shuttle Landing Facility
File:STS-122 landing.jpg|Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'' landing after [[STS-122]], 2008
File:X-37B OTV4 landed at Kennedy Space Center (170507-O-FH989-001).jpg|X-37B stationary after [[OTV-4]], 2017
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Skid Strip]]
*[[List of Space Shuttle landing sites]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Launch and Landing Facility}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110205010348/http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/landingfac.htm Shuttle Landing Facility] - NASA.gov fact sheet
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XeKS0MeLsA Space Shuttle Era: Landing Sites] - NASA video on YouTube
{{US-airport-ga|TTS|KTTS}}

{{Kennedy Space Center}}
{{NASA centers}}
{{Space Shuttle}}
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[[Category:Airports in Brevard County, Florida]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle program]]
[[Category:Kennedy Space Center]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Merritt Island, Florida]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle Emergency Landing Sites]]