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GDW RESOLUTION 70-15 WHEREAS the space shuttle -- a reusable low-cost rocket for ferrying man and materials back and forth between earth and space stations -- is the next big essential piece of hardware for the U. S. space explora- tion program; and WHEREAS the Kennedy Space Center is the most modern and complete space- ® port in the world; and WHEREAS almost $1 billion is already invested in the extensive facilities at the Kennedy Spdce Center; and 14HEREAS these facilities include extensive assembly, pre -launch checkout, cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen storage, launch and support capabilities; and WHEREAS a down range tracking (after launch) capability exists at the nearby Eastern Test Range facility; and 141LEREAS a 10,000 foot runway for landing and returning the booster and orbit stage is in existence; and WHEREAS a highly skilled team of 18,000 operations, maintenance and assembly personnel are at the Cape; and WHEREAS the launch of space shuttles over the water add immeasurably to the safety of development flights of the system; and WHEREAS advantage can be taken of existing facilities for assembly of vehicles after delivery and refurbishment of vehicles after each flight; and MEREAS Cape Kennedy is easily accessible by all modes of transportation; and W'.i!:-M%S construction costs in the area are cheaper t:, n other areas of the .:ountry which might be possibly considered; and 1411MAS theru are huge tracts of government land available for expansion if needed; and UM -REAS the educational support and opportunities provided by higher educa- tional institutions in the immediate area and throughout Florida have and will continue to contribute significantly to the success of NASA and industry; and WHEREAS the Kennedy Space Center offers a unique aggregate of facilities which are not available at any other possible site for development and operational flights of the space shuttle system at minimum cost to the U. S. taxpayer; and WHEREAS the House Science and Astronautics Conanittea in its report on the Fiscal 1971 budget stated that "maximum use should be made of existing facilities to support the space shuttle program" and that "the extensive launch and checkout capabilities at the Kennedy Space Center... should receive early and most careful consideration": Now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County hereby request the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to designate Cape Kennedy as the operational base for the space shuttle system. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, the Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, President of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representative and to each member of the Appropriations and Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committees of the United States Senate and the Appropriations and Science and Astronautics Committees of the United States House of Representatives. Adopted this Eighth day of April , 1970.