Space Shuttle Launch Facilities Now Available for Purchase
NASA’s Surplus Equipment and Facilities
With the retirement of the Space Shuttle program, NASA is selling off its surplus equipment and facilities at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This includes everything from the Vehicle Assembly Building, where Saturn V rockets were assembled, to the launch pad and landing strip.
Commercial Opportunities
NASA is eager to sell or lease these facilities to commercial partners. Boeing is already refurbishing one of the Orbiter Processing Facilities for its CST-100 space transport capsule. SpaceX has also used the launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center.
Potential Buyers
Potential buyers include wealthy individuals, aerospace companies, and research institutions. These facilities could be used for a variety of purposes, such as:
- Launching commercial satellites
- Developing new space technologies
- Training astronauts
- Hosting space tourism ventures
Vehicle Assembly Building
The Vehicle Assembly Building is one of the most iconic structures at Kennedy Space Center. It is a massive building that was used to assemble the Saturn V rockets for the Apollo missions. The building is over 525 feet tall and has a volume of over 130 million cubic feet.
Launch Pad
The launch pad at Kennedy Space Center is one of the most famous launch pads in the world. It was used to launch the first Space Shuttle mission in 1981. The launch pad is over 200 feet tall and has a flame trench that is over 500 feet long.
Landing Strip
The landing strip at Kennedy Space Center is over 15,000 feet long. It was used to land the Space Shuttles after they returned from space. The landing strip is also used by other aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 that carries the Space Shuttles back to Florida after they land at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Pricing and Availability
NASA has not yet released pricing information for the facilities. However, it is expected that the prices will be high. The facilities are also likely to be sold or leased on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested parties should contact NASA for more information.
Additional Information
- What Is It Like to View a Space Shuttle Launch?
- This One Beautiful Video Sums Up All of Space Shuttle History