The Space Shuttle was America's ride into space from 1981 - 2011. During that time, did you know that the shuttle could have landed across New York? Here's 5 sites in New York NASA kept in mind in the case of a shuttle landing/abort. 

1) Stewart Air National Guard Base located in Newburgh

Stewart Air National Guard Base is the home of the 105th Airlift Wing (105 AW), an Air Mobility Command (AMC). The base is located two miles west of Newburgh, and about 100 miles south of Albany. The space shuttle could have landed at Stewart in case of an emergency.

 

2) Plattsburgh Air Force Base located in Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) base covering 3,447 acres just 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Built during the Cold War, Plattsburgh AFB's runway was large enough to land the space shuttle. It was on a list of alternate landing sites for the entire program. Space shuttle Columbia astronaut Michael P. Anderson, was an Air Force pilot at Plattsburgh AFB when he got selected by NASA in 1994.

 

3) John F. Kennedy International Airport located in New York City

JFK Airport may be one of the busiest airports in America. It currently holds the title of second-longest commercial runway in North America. In the event of a shuttle abort, or emergency, the landing strip would need to be cleared in order to land a space shuttle in the Big Apple.

 

4) Francis S. Gabreski Airport located in Long Island

Francis S. Gabreski Airport is situated on 1,453 acres of land on the southeastern portion of Long Island in the Town of Southampton. The Airport lies between Sunrise Highway to the north and the Long Island Rail Road to the south. The airport serves general aviation and military Air National Guard Aircraft. During the shuttle program, it was always on a list of possible landing sites.

 

5) Griffiss International Airport located in Rome

Right here in our own backyard, the space shuttle could have landed at Griffiss International Airport in Rome. The airport is currently publicly owned by Oneida County. The runway measures 11,820 x 200 ft.

 

 

More From Big Frog 104