NASA Signs Agreement with Space Florida to Operate Historic Landing Facility

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June 22, 2015

RELEASE 15-135

NASA Signs Agreement with Space Florida to Operate Historic Landing Facility

A new agreement marks another step in the transformation of NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida to a multi-user spaceport. NASA's historic Shuttle
Landing Facility, the site of one of the longest runways in the world, has a
new operator.

"Our journey to Mars goes straight through Florida, and this agreement
helps amplify the many ways that our critical Kennedy Space Center can
support the next generation of human spaceflight," said NASA Administrator
Charles Bolden.

A 30-year property agreement for the operations and management of the
facility, located at Kennedy, has been signed by NASA and Space Florida, the
aerospace and spaceport development authority for the state of Florida.

"Following the final space shuttle landing in 2011, the site has
transformed into a multi-user facility supporting a variety of commercial and
government partners," said Bob Cabana, Kennedy director. "We look forward
to partnering with Space Florida to expand upon the multi-use of this
historical asset."

Private companies frequently request time on the Shuttle Landing Facility.
That demand is expected to increase as businesses that were commercial
startups evolve into mature enterprises. The new arrangement with Space
Florida is expected to maximize opportunities to use the runway creatively
while maintaining its ability to serve NASA and the center, which has
transformed to a multi-user spaceport.

"This marks the dawn of a new era for horizontal spaceflight in Florida and
the country as a whole," said Space Florida's president and CEO Frank
DiBello. "The most storied runway in the world will now become the
cornerstone of Florida's next generation commercial spaceport."

Built in 1974 for space shuttles returning to Kennedy, the facility opened
for flights in 1976. The concrete runway is 15,000 feet long and 300 feet
wide and is capable of supporting all types and sizes of aircraft and
horizontal launch and landing vehicles.

For more information about partnership opportunities with Kennedy, visit:

http://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov

For more information on Space Florida, visit:

http://www.spaceflorida.gov

For more information on NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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