Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS)
Cape Canaveral Air Station, the site of many historic launches, is the East Coast space launch facility for the Department of Defense. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is the historic base for man's quest of spaceflight. It was from the Cape that Alan Shepard, John Glenn and many other space pioneers first rocketed into the unknown.
Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), formerly Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), is located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, on Florida's Atlantic coastline near the City of Cocoa Beach. Cape Canaveral AS is located on the northern portion of a barrier island. The island is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Banana River to the west.
Cape Canaveral AS , occupies a total of 15,804 acres of land. Facilities at Cape Canaveral AS are scattered, with scrub vegetation separating these developed areas. Elevations range from sea level to 15 to 20 feet above mean sea level.
In 1947, Cape Canaveral AS was selected as the location for a US missile testing range, with construction beginning in 1950. The first missile was launched from Cape Canaveral AS on July 24, 1950. Continuous advancement in technology made possible the launching of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Saturn 1B in 1961, the Air Force Titan II in 1974, and the Navy Trident missile, which began testing in 1977.
CCAFS facilities include launch complexes, missile assembly buildings, and all other elements essential to the assembly, prelaunch, launch, and postlaunch operations of test vehicles. Trident basin and other military port facilities at Port Canaveral support the US Navy Fleet ballistic missile ship, submarine operations, and the range support ship.
Cape Canaveral AS has 81 miles of paved roads which connect various launch and support facilities with the centralized industrial area. Development of Cape Canaveral AS as a missile test center has produced an installation that is unique with respect to other Air Force installations.
An installation's visual development theme can be a physical expression of its desired image. It can be represented by architectural style, or it may evolve from the installation's focus or mission (i.e., education, training, or testing). For example, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station adopted a visual development theme that related to its primary space mission. A high-tech space image was promoted and recommended for incorporation in all future facilities development. A visual development theme can also be represented by a significant space or other factor that may be the result of historic or cultural influences. For example, Patrick Air Force Base promoted a Mediterranean architectural theme that was rooted in regional and climatic influences. While a visual development theme can be expressed in many ways, it is important that it be representative of the installation.
The Cape Commander and staff are the stewards of the Cape, having responsibility for assets which include over 16,000 acres, over 1500 facilities, 4.6 million square feet of office space, and nearly $600 million in real estate with a work force of 10,000 people. The Cape Commander and staff are stewards of the environment with responsibility for protecting the wildlife, both endangered and protected species, as well as the plant life. Finally, the Cape Commander and his deputies serve as On-Scene Commander of Disaster Response Forces for all space launches and hazardous operations.
Toxic commodity transfer/processing operations occur daily at various locations throughout CCAFS including, but not limited to, Fuel Storage Area (FSA) #1 located on Phillips Parkway, the Spacecraft Processing Integration Facility (SPIF) located in the Integrated Transfer Launch (ITL) area, and the active launch complexes (LC-40, 17A/B, 36A/B). Operational pre-clear distances are established for every hazardous operation.
Hazardous control areas can be established using barricades, guards, signs, or flashing lights during hazardous operations for positive control of personnel and vehicles. For their safety, personnel not involved in the operation must stay clear of these areas during hazardous operations.
FSA #1 is located on Phillips Parkway. In order to ensure the safety and well-being of all those who travel this road, toxic hazard warning signs and traffic lights with a yellow flashing light have been located both north and south of FSA #1. In the event of a toxic release in the FSA with winds blowing across the road, these traffic lights will be activated and a yellow flashing beacon will be illuminated. When this occurs, ALL traffic along Phillips Parkway must halt at the lights and await arrival of security personnel for further instructions. In the event of a non-launch day toxic release that exceeds the established operational pre-clear distance, evacuate the area as described over the Cape Aural Warning Zones (CAWZ) system, and as directed by Operations Safety/Security personnel. Do not seek shelter in cars, or in approved launch shelters. Evacuate affected area and listen for further instructions over the CAWZ system.
The exhaust plume from solid rocket motors (SRM) contains hazardous materials (primarily hydrogen chloride, an irritant gas). In case of a catastrophic failure of a launch vehicle early in flight, rocket fuel and oxidizer residues (e.g., Aerozine-50, nitrogen tetroxide and their combustion products) may also be present. Under certain meteorological conditions, these materials may drift over CCAFS in concentrations greater than health standards permit. All personnel must be protected from toxic plume hazards during launch operations.
On-base personnel and visitors within the forecasted Potential Hazard Corridor (PHC) and/or Emission Hazard Corridor (EHC) for a given launch, will be provided adequate shelter to ensure they are not exposed to hazardous concentrations of these materials. Employees and visitors with known respiratory disorders who work or are visiting in areas inside the predicted PHC/EHC will be relocated to an area outside the PHC/EHC during launches.
CCAFS is home to an abundance of wildlife. Alligators and snakes are potentially dangerous and should not be approached or fed. Shark attacks/bites are common in this area and in 2000, half of the shark attacks reported in the world occurred in Florida. There were 25 shark attacks along Florida's eastern coast. Remember when you go into the ocean you have just become part of a shark's food chain.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is a restricted-access area and not open to the general public. Only personnel with a Cape badge are allowed access (DoD and/or military ID cards do not qualify as a Cape badge).
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