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During the Space Shuttle Program, the Flight Dynamics Officer was responsible for the selection of Shuttle Landing sites for a variety of scenarios including nominal End-of-Mission (EOM), various Ascent Abort scenarios (Trans-Atlantic Abort Landing - TAL and Abort-Once-Around - AOA), and other potential emergency landing scenarios.

In coordination with the Landing Support Officer (LSO), worldwide runway complexes, that met basic requirements of runway length and navigational aids, were compiled into a list of potential Shuttle landing sites. Current mission requirements, Shuttle trajectories, and weather reports from around the world were combined to select the best landing opportunity in real-time. These landing sites were loaded into the FDO's Deorbit Opportunities Processor (DOPS), which provided an at-a-glance view of upcoming landing opportunities.

The (admittedly rough by today's standards) map graphics you see below were generated by the LSOs during the mid-1990s using the technology at hand. Obviously, more modern mapping capabilities would make these look so much better, but -THE TRENCH- will continue to provide these maps as an archive of how it was done in the Mission Control Center during the Space Shuttle Program of the 1980s and 1990s.

Presented by:
-thetrench-

Take me to the Shuttle Program Landing metrics table!

World Map of Shuttle Landing Sites

World Map

In this graphic, all world-wide designated Space Shuttle Landing Sites are identified. The sites in the two blue boxes are defined in the other two images below.

These sites included Primary Landing Site (PLS) as well as Emergency Landing Site (ELS) choices.

The three PLS sites were EDW - Edwards Air Force Base, NOR - Northrup, White Sands Space Harbor, and KSC - Kennedy Space Center.

ELS sites ranged from those also used for Trans-Atlantic Abort Landing (TAL) sites as well as true "Emergency" sites (Hao Atoll and Easter Island in the South Pacific). Hao and Easter Island had originally intended as "TAL" sites for launches planned from Vandenberg.

Eastern CONUS Shuttle Landing Sites

CONUS Map

In this graphic, sites in the Eastern Continental United States (CONUS) are displayed.

The details in this map show the sites up the coast of the Eastern United States. This was used, primarily, to outline the possible "intact abort" sites during high-inclination Space Shuttle launches.

Kennedy (KSC) was, of course, the launch facility, but was also the Return-to-Launch-Site (RTLS) abort landing site. RTLS was a very dangerous, and thankfully never executed, abort scenario. It was simulated many many times, however, and had the crew and the MCC needed to perform it, they were ready.

Sites up the East Coast were all on high-alert during a launch that might have needed them at a moment's notice.

European and Northern African Shuttle Landing Sites

Europe and Africa Map

In this final graphic, sites in Europe and Northern Africa are displayed.

The primary role of the sites in Europe and Northern Africa were to support Day-of-Launch (DOL) Abort landings.

The selection of the sites were specific to the launch inclination. More easterly launches (28.5 degree inclination) would have resulted in lower latitude potential abort landings, while the Mir/ISS launches (51.6 degree inclination) and higher would have engaged more of the northern/European sites.

Post-launch, these sites were also kept on hold for potential ELS opportunities.

Space Shuttle Landing Metrics

Approach and Landing Tests

This table outlines the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests conducted by the orbiter Enterprise. These critical evaluations were designed to assess the shuttle's landing capabilities and systems in preparation for future missions.

Approach & Landing Tests

Order Mission ALT Test Date Orbiter Duration Landing site Notes
1 ALT-12 8/12/1977 Enterprise 5 minutes EDW First free flight First non-captive flight of Enterprise First landing at Edwards Air Force Base
2 ALT-13 9/13/1977 Enterprise 5 minutes EDW Second free flight
3 ALT-14 9/23/1977 Enterprise 5 minutes EDW Third free flight
4 ALT-15 10/12/1977 Enterprise 2 minutes EDW Fourth free flight First flight without tailcone (operational configuration)
5 ALT-16 10/26/1977 Enterprise 2 minutes EDW Final free flight Final non-captive flight of Enterprise First landing on runway rather than lakebed
Generated by wpDataTables

Space Shuttle Program Landing Site Data

This table provides a comprehensive overview of Space Shuttle missions, detailing key information such as launch and landing times, the specific Space Shuttle Orbiter used, and the designated landing sites. Each mission played a significant role in advancing human space exploration and scientific research. Explore the milestones achieved by these iconic spacecraft throughout their operational history. Please note that landing sites were not listed for Challenger on STS-51L nor for Columbia on STS-107

Space Shuttle Program landing data

Flight Order Mission Name Launch date Landing Date Orbiter Landing site
1 STS-1 04/12/1981 04/14/1981 Columbia EDW
2 STS-2 11/12/1981 11/14/1981 Columbia EDW
3 STS-3 03/22/1982 03/30/1982 Columbia WSSH
4 STS-4 06/27/1982 07/04/1982 Columbia EDW
5 STS-5 11/11/1982 11/16/1982 Columbia EDW
6 STS-6 04/04/1983 04/09/1983 Challenger EDW
7 STS-7 06/18/1983 06/24/1983 Challenger EDW
8 STS-8 08/30/1983 09/05/1983 Challenger EDW
9 STS-9 11/28/1983 12/08/1983 Columbia EDW
10 STS-41-B 02/03/1984 02/11/1984 Challenger KSC
11 STS-41-C 04/06/1984 04/13/1984 Challenger EDW
12 STS-41-D 08/30/1984 09/05/1984 Discovery EDW
13 STS-41-G 10/05/1984 10/13/1984 Challenger KSC
14 STS-51-A 11/08/1984 11/16/1984 Discovery KSC
15 STS-51-C 01/24/1985 01/27/1985 Discovery KSC
16 STS-51-D 04/12/1985 04/19/1985 Discovery KSC
17 STS-51-B 04/29/1985 05/06/1985 Challenger EDW
18 STS-51-G 06/17/1985 06/24/1985 Discovery EDW
19 STS-51-F 07/29/1985 08/06/1985 Challenger EDW
20 STS-51-I 08/27/1985 09/03/1985 Discovery EDW
21 STS-51-J 10/03/1985 10/07/1985 Atlantis EDW
22 STS-61-A 10/30/1985 11/06/1985 Challenger EDW
23 STS-61-B 11/26/1985 12/03/1985 Atlantis EDW
24 STS-61-C 01/12/1986 01/18/1986 Columbia EDW
25 STS-51-L 01/28/1986 Challenger
26 STS-26 09/29/1988 10/03/1988 Discovery EDW
27 STS-27 12/02/1988 12/06/1988 Atlantis EDW
28 STS-29 03/13/1989 03/18/1989 Discovery EDW
29 STS-30 05/04/1989 05/08/1989 Atlantis EDW
30 STS-28 08/08/1989 08/13/1989 Columbia EDW
31 STS-34 10/18/1989 10/23/1989 Atlantis EDW
32 STS-33 11/22/1989 11/27/1989 Discovery EDW
33 STS-32 01/09/1990 01/20/1990 Columbia EDW
34 STS-36 02/28/1990 03/04/1990 Atlantis EDW
35 STS-31 04/24/1990 04/29/1990 Discovery EDW
36 STS-41 10/06/1990 10/10/1990 Discovery EDW
37 STS-38 11/15/1990 11/20/1990 Atlantis KSC
38 STS-35 12/02/1990 12/11/1990 Columbia EDW
39 STS-37 04/05/1991 04/11/1991 Atlantis EDW
40 STS-39 04/28/1991 05/06/1991 Discovery KSC
41 STS-40 06/05/1991 06/14/1991 Columbia EDW
42 STS-43 08/02/1991 08/11/1991 Atlantis KSC
43 STS-48 09/12/1991 09/18/1991 Discovery EDW
44 STS-44 11/24/1991 12/01/1991 Atlantis EDW
45 STS-42 01/22/1992 01/30/1992 Discovery EDW
46 STS-45 03/24/1992 03/26/1992 Atlantis KSC
47 STS-49 05/07/1992 05/16/1992 Endeavour EDW
48 STS-50 06/25/1992 07/09/1992 Columbia KSC
49 STS-46 07/31/1992 08/08/1992 Atlantis KSC
50 STS-47 09/12/1992 09/20/1992 Endeavour KSC
51 STS-52 10/22/1992 11/01/1992 Columbia KSC
52 STS-53 12/02/1992 12/09/1992 Discovery EDW
53 STS-54 01/13/1993 01/19/1993 Endeavour KSC
54 STS-56 04/08/1993 04/17/1993 Discovery KSC
55 STS-55 04/26/1993 05/06/1993 Columbia EDW
56 STS-57 06/21/1993 06/21/1993 Endeavour KSC
57 STS-51 09/12/1993 09/22/1993 Discovery KSC
58 STS-58 10/18/1993 11/01/1993 Columbia EDW
59 STS-61 12/02/1993 12/13/1993 Endeavour KSC
60 STS-60 02/03/1994 02/11/1994 Discovery KSC
61 STS-62 03/04/1994 03/18/1994 Columbia KSC
62 STS-59 04/09/1994 04/20/1994 Endeavour EDW
63 STS-65 07/08/1994 07/23/1994 Columbia KSC
64 STS-64 09/09/1994 09/20/1994 Discovery EDW
65 STS-68 09/30/1994 10/11/1994 Endeavour EDW
66 STS-66 11/03/1994 11/14/1994 Atlantis EDW
67 STS-63 02/03/1995 02/11/1995 Discovery KSC
68 STS-67 03/02/1995 03/18/1995 Endeavour EDW
69 STS-71 06/27/1995 07/07/1995 Atlantis KSC
70 STS-70 07/13/1995 07/22/1995 Discovery KSC
71 STS-69 09/07/1995 09/18/1995 Endeavour KSC
72 STS-73 10/20/1995 11/05/1995 Columbia KSC
73 STS-74 11/12/1995 11/20/1995 Atlantis KSC
74 STS-72 01/11/1996 01/20/1996 Endeavour KSC
75 STS-75 02/22/1996 03/09/1996 Columbia KSC
76 STS-76 03/22/1996 03/31/1996 Atlantis EDW
77 STS-77 05/19/1996 05/29/1996 Endeavour KSC
78 STS-78 06/20/1996 07/07/1996 Columbia KSC
79 STS-79 09/16/1996 09/26/1996 Atlantis KSC
80 STS-80 11/19/1996 12/07/1996 Columbia KSC
81 STS-81 01/12/1997 01/22/1997 Atlantis KSC
82 STS-82 02/11/1997 02/21/1997 Discovery KSC
83 STS-83 04/04/1997 04/08/1997 Columbia KSC
84 STS-84 05/15/1997 05/24/1997 Atlantis KSC
85 STS-94 07/01/1997 07/17/1997 Columbia KSC
86 STS-85 08/07/1997 08/19/1997 Discovery KSC
87 STS-86 09/25/1997 10/06/1997 Atlantis KSC
88 STS-87 11/19/1997 12/05/1997 Columbia KSC
89 STS-89 01/22/1998 01/31/1998 Endeavour KSC
90 STS-90 04/17/1998 05/03/1998 Columbia KSC
91 STS-91 06/02/1998 06/12/1998 Discovery KSC
92 STS-95 10/29/1998 11/07/1998 Discovery KSC
93 STS-88 12/04/1998 12/15/1998 Endeavour KSC
94 STS-96 05/27/1999 06/06/1999 Discovery KSC
95 STS-93 07/23/1999 07/27/1999 Columbia KSC
96 STS-103 12/19/1999 12/27/1999 Discovery KSC
97 STS-99 02/11/2000 02/22/2000 Endeavour KSC
98 STS-101 05/19/2000 05/29/2000 Atlantis KSC
99 STS-106 09/08/2000 09/19/2000 Atlantis KSC
100 STS-92 10/11/2000 10/24/2000 Discovery EDW
101 STS-97 11/30/2000 12/11/2000 Endeavour KSC
102 STS-98 02/07/2001 02/20/2001 Atlantis EDW
103 STS-102 03/08/2001 03/21/2001 Discovery KSC
104 STS-100 04/19/2001 05/01/2001 Endeavour EDW
105 STS-104 07/12/2001 07/25/2001 Atlantis KSC
106 STS-105 08/10/2001 08/22/2001 Discovery KSC
107 STS-108 12/05/2001 12/17/2001 Endeavour KSC
108 STS-109 03/01/2002 03/12/2002 Columbia KSC
109 STS-110 04/08/2002 04/19/2002 Atlantis KSC
110 STS-111 06/05/2002 06/19/2002 Endeavour EDW
111 STS-112 10/07/2002 10/18/2002 Atlantis KSC
112 STS-113 11/23/2002 12/07/2002 Endeavour KSC
113 STS-107 01/16/2003 Columbia
114 STS-114 07/26/2005 08/09/2005 Discovery EDW
115 STS-121 07/04/2006 07/17/2006 Discovery KSC
116 STS-115 09/09/2006 09/21/2006 Atlantis KSC
117 STS-116 12/09/2006 12/22/2006 Discovery KSC
118 STS-117 06/08/2007 06/22/2007 Atlantis EDW
119 STS-118 08/08/2007 08/21/2007 Endeavour KSC
120 STS-120 10/23/2007 11/07/2007 Discovery KSC
121 STS-122 02/07/2008 02/20/2008 Atlantis KSC
122 STS-123 03/11/2008 03/26/2008 Endeavour KSC
123 STS-124 05/31/2008 06/14/2008 Discovery KSC
124 STS-126 11/14/2008 11/30/2008 Endeavour EDW
125 STS-119 03/15/2009 03/28/2009 Discovery KSC
126 STS-125 05/11/2009 05/24/2009 Atlantis EDW
127 STS-127 07/15/2009 07/31/2009 Endeavour KSC
128 STS-128 08/28/2009 09/11/2009 Discovery EDW
129 STS-129 11/16/2009 11/27/2009 Atlantis KSC
130 STS-130 02/08/2010 02/22/2010 Endeavour KSC
131 STS-131 04/05/2010 04/20/2010 Discovery KSC
132 STS-132 05/14/2010 05/26/2010 Atlantis KSC
133 STS-133 02/24/2011 03/09/2011 Discovery KSC
134 STS-134 05/16/2011 06/01/2011 Endeavour KSC
135 STS-135 07/08/2011 07/21/2011 Atlantis KSC
Generated by wpDataTables

This table outlines the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests conducted by the orbiter Enterprise. These critical evaluations were designed to assess the shuttle's landing capabilities and systems in preparation for future missions.

OrderMissionALT Test DateOrbiterDurationLanding siteNotes
1ALT-128/12/1977Enterprise5 minutesEDWFirst free flight
First non-captive flight of Enterprise
First landing at Edwards Air Force Base
2ALT-139/13/1977Enterprise5 minutesEDWSecond free flight
3ALT-149/23/1977Enterprise5 minutesEDWThird free flight
4ALT-1510/12/1977Enterprise2 minutesEDWFourth free flight
First flight without tailcone (operational configuration)
5ALT-1610/26/1977Enterprise2 minutesEDWFinal free flight
Final non-captive flight of Enterprise
First landing on runway rather than lakebed

This table provides a comprehensive overview of Space Shuttle missions, detailing key information such as launch and landing times, the specific Space Shuttle Orbiter used, and the designated landing sites. Each mission played a significant role in advancing human space exploration and scientific research. Explore the milestones achieved by these iconic spacecraft throughout their operational history. Please note that landing sites were not listed for Challenger on STS-51L nor for Columbia on STS-107

Flight OrderMission NameLaunch dateLanding DateOrbiterLanding site
1STS-1April 12, 1981April 14, 1981ColumbiaEDW
2STS-2November 12, 1981November 14, 1981ColumbiaEDW
3STS-3March 22, 1982March 30, 1982ColumbiaWSSH
4STS-4June 27, 1982July 4, 1982ColumbiaEDW
5STS-5November 11, 1982November 16, 1982ColumbiaEDW
6STS-6April 4, 1983April 9, 1983ChallengerEDW
7STS-7June 18, 1983June 24, 1983ChallengerEDW
8STS-8August 30, 1983September 5, 1983ChallengerEDW
9STS-9November 28, 1983December 8, 1983ColumbiaEDW
10STS-41-BFebruary 3, 1984February 11, 1984ChallengerKSC
11STS-41-CApril 6, 1984April 13, 1984ChallengerEDW
12STS-41-DAugust 30, 1984September 5, 1984DiscoveryEDW
13STS-41-GOctober 5, 1984October 13, 1984ChallengerKSC
14STS-51-ANovember 8, 1984November 16, 1984DiscoveryKSC
15STS-51-CJanuary 24, 1985January 27, 1985DiscoveryKSC
16STS-51-DApril 12, 1985April 19, 1985DiscoveryKSC
17STS-51-BApril 29, 1985May 6, 1985ChallengerEDW
18STS-51-GJune 17, 1985June 24, 1985DiscoveryEDW
19STS-51-FJuly 29, 1985August 6, 1985ChallengerEDW
20STS-51-IAugust 27, 1985September 3, 1985DiscoveryEDW
21STS-51-JOctober 3, 1985October 7, 1985AtlantisEDW
22STS-61-AOctober 30, 1985November 6, 1985ChallengerEDW
23STS-61-BNovember 26, 1985December 3, 1985AtlantisEDW
24STS-61-CJanuary 12, 1986January 18, 1986ColumbiaEDW
25STS-51-LJanuary 28, 1986Challenger
26STS-26September 29, 1988October 3, 1988DiscoveryEDW
27STS-27December 2, 1988December 6, 1988AtlantisEDW
28STS-29March 13, 1989March 18, 1989DiscoveryEDW
29STS-30May 4, 1989May 8, 1989AtlantisEDW
30STS-28August 8, 1989August 13, 1989ColumbiaEDW
31STS-34October 18, 1989October 23, 1989AtlantisEDW
32STS-33November 22, 1989November 27, 1989DiscoveryEDW
33STS-32January 9, 1990January 20, 1990ColumbiaEDW
34STS-36February 28, 1990March 4, 1990AtlantisEDW
35STS-31April 24, 1990April 29, 1990DiscoveryEDW
36STS-41October 6, 1990October 10, 1990DiscoveryEDW
37STS-38November 15, 1990November 20, 1990AtlantisKSC
38STS-35December 2, 1990December 11, 1990ColumbiaEDW
39STS-37April 5, 1991April 11, 1991AtlantisEDW
40STS-39April 28, 1991May 6, 1991DiscoveryKSC
41STS-40June 5, 1991June 14, 1991ColumbiaEDW
42STS-43August 2, 1991August 11, 1991AtlantisKSC
43STS-48September 12, 1991September 18, 1991DiscoveryEDW
44STS-44November 24, 1991December 1, 1991AtlantisEDW
45STS-42January 22, 1992January 30, 1992DiscoveryEDW
46STS-45March 24, 1992March 26, 1992AtlantisKSC
47STS-49May 7, 1992May 16, 1992EndeavourEDW
48STS-50June 25, 1992July 9, 1992ColumbiaKSC
49STS-46July 31, 1992August 8, 1992AtlantisKSC
50STS-47September 12, 1992September 20, 1992EndeavourKSC
51STS-52October 22, 1992November 1, 1992ColumbiaKSC
52STS-53December 2, 1992December 9, 1992DiscoveryEDW
53STS-54January 13, 1993January 19, 1993EndeavourKSC
54STS-56April 8, 1993April 17, 1993DiscoveryKSC
55STS-55April 26, 1993May 6, 1993ColumbiaEDW
56STS-57June 21, 1993June 21, 1993EndeavourKSC
57STS-51September 12, 1993September 22, 1993DiscoveryKSC
58STS-58October 18, 1993November 1, 1993ColumbiaEDW
59STS-61December 2, 1993December 13, 1993EndeavourKSC
60STS-60February 3, 1994February 11, 1994DiscoveryKSC
61STS-62March 4, 1994March 18, 1994ColumbiaKSC
62STS-59April 9, 1994April 20, 1994EndeavourEDW
63STS-65July 8, 1994July 23, 1994ColumbiaKSC
64STS-64September 9, 1994September 20, 1994DiscoveryEDW
65STS-68September 30, 1994October 11, 1994EndeavourEDW
66STS-66November 3, 1994November 14, 1994AtlantisEDW
67STS-63February 3, 1995February 11, 1995DiscoveryKSC
68STS-67March 2, 1995March 18, 1995EndeavourEDW
69STS-71June 27, 1995July 7, 1995AtlantisKSC
70STS-70July 13, 1995July 22, 1995DiscoveryKSC
71STS-69September 7, 1995September 18, 1995EndeavourKSC
72STS-73October 20, 1995November 5, 1995ColumbiaKSC
73STS-74November 12, 1995November 20, 1995AtlantisKSC
74STS-72January 11, 1996January 20, 1996EndeavourKSC
75STS-75February 22, 1996March 9, 1996ColumbiaKSC
76STS-76March 22, 1996March 31, 1996AtlantisEDW
77STS-77May 19, 1996May 29, 1996EndeavourKSC
78STS-78June 20, 1996July 7, 1996ColumbiaKSC
79STS-79September 16, 1996September 26, 1996AtlantisKSC
80STS-80November 19, 1996December 7, 1996ColumbiaKSC
81STS-81January 12, 1997January 22, 1997AtlantisKSC
82STS-82February 11, 1997February 21, 1997DiscoveryKSC
83STS-83April 4, 1997April 8, 1997ColumbiaKSC
84STS-84May 15, 1997May 24, 1997AtlantisKSC
85STS-94July 1, 1997July 17, 1997ColumbiaKSC
86STS-85August 7, 1997August 19, 1997DiscoveryKSC
87STS-86September 25, 1997October 6, 1997AtlantisKSC
88STS-87November 19, 1997December 5, 1997ColumbiaKSC
89STS-89January 22, 1998January 31, 1998EndeavourKSC
90STS-90April 17, 1998May 3, 1998ColumbiaKSC
91STS-91June 2, 1998June 12, 1998DiscoveryKSC
92STS-95October 29, 1998November 7, 1998DiscoveryKSC
93STS-88December 4, 1998December 15, 1998EndeavourKSC
94STS-96May 27, 1999June 6, 1999DiscoveryKSC
95STS-93July 23, 1999July 27, 1999ColumbiaKSC
96STS-103December 19, 1999December 27, 1999DiscoveryKSC
97STS-99February 11, 2000February 22, 2000EndeavourKSC
98STS-101May 19, 2000May 29, 2000AtlantisKSC
99STS-106September 8, 2000September 19, 2000AtlantisKSC
100STS-92October 11, 2000October 24, 2000DiscoveryEDW
101STS-97November 30, 2000December 11, 2000EndeavourKSC
102STS-98February 7, 2001February 20, 2001AtlantisEDW
103STS-102March 8, 2001March 21, 2001DiscoveryKSC
104STS-100April 19, 2001May 1, 2001EndeavourEDW
105STS-104July 12, 2001July 25, 2001AtlantisKSC
106STS-105August 10, 2001August 22, 2001DiscoveryKSC
107STS-108December 5, 2001December 17, 2001EndeavourKSC
108STS-109March 1, 2002March 12, 2002ColumbiaKSC
109STS-110April 8, 2002April 19, 2002AtlantisKSC
110STS-111June 5, 2002June 19, 2002EndeavourEDW
111STS-112October 7, 2002October 18, 2002AtlantisKSC
112STS-113November 23, 2002December 7, 2002EndeavourKSC
113STS-107January 16, 2003Columbia
114STS-114July 26, 2005August 9, 2005DiscoveryEDW
115STS-121July 4, 2006July 17, 2006DiscoveryKSC
116STS-115September 9, 2006September 21, 2006AtlantisKSC
117STS-116December 9, 2006December 22, 2006DiscoveryKSC
118STS-117June 8, 2007June 22, 2007AtlantisEDW
119STS-118August 8, 2007August 21, 2007EndeavourKSC
120STS-120October 23, 2007November 7, 2007DiscoveryKSC
121STS-122February 7, 2008February 20, 2008AtlantisKSC
122STS-123March 11, 2008March 26, 2008EndeavourKSC
123STS-124May 31, 2008June 14, 2008DiscoveryKSC
124STS-126November 14, 2008November 30, 2008EndeavourEDW
125STS-119March 15, 2009March 28, 2009DiscoveryKSC
126STS-125May 11, 2009May 24, 2009AtlantisEDW
127STS-127July 15, 2009July 31, 2009EndeavourKSC
128STS-128August 28, 2009September 11, 2009DiscoveryEDW
129STS-129November 16, 2009November 27, 2009AtlantisKSC
130STS-130February 8, 2010February 22, 2010EndeavourKSC
131STS-131April 5, 2010April 20, 2010DiscoveryKSC
132STS-132May 14, 2010May 26, 2010AtlantisKSC
133STS-133February 24, 2011March 9, 2011DiscoveryKSC
134STS-134May 16, 2011June 1, 2011EndeavourKSC
135STS-135July 8, 2011July 21, 2011AtlantisKSC

15 Comments

  1. Ceth
    Ceth on April 7, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    Cool!

    Reply
  2. Eric
    Eric on December 9, 2020 at 11:12 am

    Hey! This is really great. I found your site from a link on simpleflying.com. Thanks for this info.

    Reply
  3. Chris Ahart
    Chris Ahart on May 26, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    When I was stationed at Kadena Air Base Okinawa from 79 to 81 we were designated as a abort destination .
    I worked in Central Security Control and we had charts and maps on the wall to advise Security where the shuttle would be parked, perimeter control and access etc.

    Reply
    • Roger Balettie
      Roger Balettie on May 26, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Chris! Thanks for adding that cool bit of Shuttle history… and yes, there were a number of 12Kft runways around the world that could have been used for those contingency landings.

      The sites that I have listed on this page were ones that were actively supported during certain mission timeframes with dedicated personnel. Not every one of the 12Kft runways around the world met that criteria, although we certainly *would* have used (for instance) Kadena if it were our best option – even if we didn’t have real-time personnel there to meet the Orbiter!

      Reply
      • Steve Pemberton
        Steve Pemberton on December 12, 2022 at 11:57 am

        I know that at the two trans-Atlantic abort sites for a particular mission there were personnel on standby during launch. I assume that these were local airport workers who were being paid by NASA for this? Or maybe there was also at least one NASA employee stationed there during the launch. Were people on standby at all of the east coast launch abort sites? As for emergency landings from space, since a particular site could be called up anytime during the mission, I would guess that no one was necessarily there on standby during the entire mission dedicated to Shuttle, but that instead all of the controllers and security personnel had been briefed or received training so that whoever happened to be working when the emergency occurred would be able to handle it. That’s my guess anyway. Thanks for any insight on this.

        Reply
        • Roger Balettie
          Roger Balettie on December 12, 2022 at 1:35 pm

          Hi Steve! There were actually several TAL abort sites that could be used, depending on the inclination of the mission. You’re correct, though, that some locals were paid for support, but the primary TAL support were NASA (or DoD) personnel specifically sortied to those sites pre-launch to verify all of the NAVAIDS were working and then to support the actual mission. There would be times where the *specific* TAL site wouldn’t be selected until the final weather forecast briefing, so there were NASA/DoD personnel at multiple sites! For “emergency landings”, a lot of these were “best available support”, but the primary CONUS site (EDW, KSC, or NOR) for specific orbits each day were fully staffed and ready. There were also times where certain worldwide landing sites could be identified as possible options, based on the orbital groundtrack, so in those cases – they had knowledge of a possible timespan in which (if it were to happen) they might have been needed to support. The FDO would coordinate with the Landing Support Officer (DoD early on, but transitioned to NASA personnel who worked directly with DoD and State assets worldwide for coordination) to make sure they always had the latest deorbit opportunities timeline. You can see an example of one of the CONUS Deorbit Opportunities Table on the Entry FDO displays page. But again, yes – anyone who was at a potential emergency landing site (CONUS, TAL, or otherwise) that would have needed to support a Shuttle landing would have received both extensive initial and subsequent refresher training!

          Reply
  4. Joe Williams
    Joe Williams on September 9, 2021 at 8:52 am

    Hi I was told that filton air field in Bristol was the back up to RAF Fairfield if the shuttle over shot it’s mark

    Reply
    • Roger Balettie
      Roger Balettie on September 9, 2021 at 9:01 am

      Hi Joe! RAF Filton, being only 8Kft in length, would never have been a *planned* Shuttle runway. We never planned on anything less than 12Kft as a rule, with Fairford being one of the exceptions (10Kft) because of lack of options. However, if it were a “really bad day” and the energy situation (velocity and altitude, including rates) were so low as to not have any options, it would be any visual option available.

      Reply
    • JSPOC
      JSPOC on December 4, 2022 at 9:35 am

      Filton was never a TAL nor abort site. Fairford (FFD on the MOCR map) was routinely put on alert for a launch, even one time during when the Air Tattoo was on the base. A friend who works on the fire team said they were routinely tested on requirements, should they ever be required.

      Reply
  5. Neil
    Neil on March 12, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    I’m an Air Traffic Controller at Shannon ACC (en route control centre just down the road from Shannon Airport). In the Boardroom at work we have an Irish flag which flew in space aboard Discovery in 2008, presented by NASA as thanks for the unit’s support of the Shuttle program[me]

    Reply
    • Roger Balettie
      Roger Balettie on March 12, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      Hi Neil – that’s a fantastic memento and deserved recognition. Thank you for your and your unit’s support. The Shuttle Program was truly a worldwide team effort!

      Reply
  6. James Varden
    James Varden on December 29, 2022 at 4:46 am

    Comment *Hi Roger. I would very much like to clear something up. There has been a myth for many years here in Zimbabwe that Hwange National Park Airport (HWN)was an emergency landing site for the shuttle. The runway is 15,092 feet and asphalt. Could this have been true as I see that Hoedspruit is listed as one of the African runways? Thank you

    Reply
    • Roger Balettie
      Roger Balettie on December 29, 2022 at 8:11 am

      Hi James – there are distinctions in Space Shuttle ELS designations that are in play here. While yes – HWN is certainly long enough to support the landing and rollout requirements, there would not have been the Tactical Air Navigation / Navigation Aids (TACAN/NAVAIDS) required to support a safe/planned landing there. HWN isn’t in the Flight Data File (FDF) “Flight Maps and Charts” that I have (vintage 1991), so it would have had to have been a “Very Bad Day ™” to not be able to use one of the more equipped facilities (listed in the FDF) within a possible entry groundtrack. A proper ELS designation required not only the physical dimensions to support but also some of the basic navigation aids and agreements via State Department/DoD channels. I don’t believe HWN ever was in that list.

      Reply
  7. James Varden
    James Varden on February 5, 2026 at 3:43 am

    Hi Roger, firstly apologies for having not replied as this feed just came up on my email a couple of days ago!! And secondly thank you very much for your reply. It is a safari guides ‘myth that perpetually goes around the campfire sice for many years that HWN was a possible landing site. The runway is 4600m / 15,092Kft long with, at the time of extending it, only one commercial flight landing on a twice daily rotation. Hence the myth that one of the longest runways – and most un-used – was an emergency site. But your information certainly helps to clear up the myth! At least on a “Very Bad Day” the field would have been long enough. and weather wise probably ideal due to mostly clear days and average temperature ranges, ie not excessively hot.

    Mind you, it would have been an interesting panic at the field to get all of the buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, Topi, baboons and other wildlife off the airfield before a landing..!!

    Reply
    • Roger Balettie
      Roger Balettie on February 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm

      Hi James! No apologies – always great to hear from you! 🙂

      Yeah – the thought of guides and tourists frantically “shooing off” wildlife on the runway would’ve been one for the books… or at least a Netflix movie!

      Reply

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