This is the first shuttle launch since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon that killed about 3,900 people.

In what has been described as the highest security to ever accompany a U.S. space shot, the 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and other Department of Defense agencies supporting this launch have put a security plan into effect that both protects both a vital national space asset and a symbol of America's greatness, according to Col. Sameul Dick, 45th SW vice commander.

During a pre-launch press conference at NASA earlier this week, Dick couldn't elaborate on specific security measures, but gave repeated assurances that the wing, Air Force and other DOD agencies are up to any challenge or potential terrorist threat presented.

"The threat is terrorism and the terrorists have already demonstrated a capability and desire to attack national symbols of the United States," he said. "For those reasons, we must take an active approach to our security and we believe we are ready for any and all scenarios.

"We have taken unprecedented, but critical steps to ensure all reasonable measures are in place to protect the shuttle and its crew from any security threat whether from land, air or sea," Dick said.

F-15 fighters, Apache helicopter gunships and armed Humvee vehicles have been seen around Cape Canaveral for the past month. Additionally, the 728th Air Control Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., recently arrived here to operate their advanced air surveillance radar.

The Federal Aviation Administration has also created a 40-nautical-mile radius no-fly zone around the shuttle launch pad from the surface to 18,000 feet.

Working with the U.S. Coast Guard, a mariner security zone was established three miles around both the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. On launch day, boat traffic is also restricted in the launch hazard area that stretches 75 miles out to sea. The launch hazard area has been a precaution taken for years to ensure the safety of the general public.

"The point of these restrictions is to ensure we keep the shuttle, its crew and the general public safe and also secure America's access to space," Dick said.

Shuttle program manager, Ron Dittemore, indicated that NASA is comfortable with the new security.

"We're satisfied that appropriate precautions are in place or we wouldn't launch," he said.

Endeavor was set to blast off Nov. 29, but was delayed for 24 hours by NASA to solve a docking station problem on the International Space Station where the Shuttle will spend its 11-day mission.

Endeavor's flight crew of four will carry a new three-man crew to the orbiting space station and return with the three current crewmembers. Endeavor will also carry more than two tons of provisions and scientific hardware for the crew and station. The $95 billion space station program is a partnership between space agencies in the United States, Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Endeavor's mission will include a tribute to the victims of the attacks. Going up in space along with the shuttle's thousands of pounds of provisions and hardware are nearly 6,000 postcard-sized U.S. flags and at least two full-sized flags. The small flags will be given to the families of victims after the mission ends. The larger flags were the ones recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Courtesy of 45th Space Wing Public Affairs>

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