Shuttle Landing Facility
Kennedy Space Center’s historic Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), the site of one of the longest runways in the world, is available for use by external customers. The runway and associated facilities are operated and managed by Space Florida, the state’s aerospace economic development agency, under a 30-year property agreement with NASA. The goal of this […] The post Shuttle Landing Facility…
The Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, is a historic runway that has been repurposed to serve various aerospace companies and research facilities. Managed by Space Florida under a 30-year agreement with NASA, the SLF boasts a 15,000-foot runway and supporting infrastructure, making it capable of accommodating a wide range of aircraft and vehicles.
Its strategic location offers year-round access to restricted airspace, shielded from populated areas, and features specialized facilities such as an air traffic control tower, ground-to-air communications, and navigational aids. The runway, paved with high-friction concrete and grooved for drainage, is designed to support horizontal launch and landing operations, suborbital flight training, weightless flights, and aerodynamic testing.
Recently, the SLF has also been utilized for testing experimental flying machines, allowing companies like Starfighters to launch small satellites into space and automotive businesses to conduct aerodynamics research. With its versatile facilities, the SLF continues to adapt to the evolving needs of the aerospace industry, supporting both government and commercial space endeavors.
Written by urgent.news from NASA Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
