Kennedy Space Center today asked for industry interest in facilities that may be made available after the shuttle program retires this year.The shuttle launch pads, hangers, high bays, mobile launcher platforms, firing rooms, runway and other assets all could be offered to commercial users on a full- or part-time basis.
The request for information asks for suggested uses supporting commercial or government space initiatives after the shuttle.
KSC hasn't made final decisions about what it will need to implement NASA's new policy direction and what facilities will be leased to commercial or other interests.
Expressions of interest in the facilities are due by Feb. 24, 2011.
IMAGE: On Dec. 21, 2010, an aerial view of the Vehicle Assembly Building, center, Launch Control Center, right, and NASA's new mobile launcher, back, in the Launch Complex 39 area at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
35 comments:
so the reality of the Obama plan suddenly appears. All jobs in the VAB and at the pads lost. All the equipment to slowly rust away from disuse. All the knowledge to be lost. The US space program will never come back from this.
Commercial operators will never use LC39 or the VAB as it will wreck there profit margins. And currently there are no slated manned missions that are commercial. I cant see these flying off a bare pad like the mercury/gemini days, and they would have to use the 39s. So renting out/mothballing this is WAY too early.
If I were NASA i'd be finding cracks in ET's and problems with leaking values for about, say the next 18 months in the hope that Obama gets the boot and some rationality returns.
The facilities are still useful and it's a good idea to ask others who are interested on them. Good thing you shared that info with us.
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