RAF Fairford - Space Shuttle Diversion...

[C]

Saw this over on Prune. As you may know there are several sites around the world geared up to take the shuttle should it be unable to land in the States. Three of those, RAF Fairford, Moron in Spain, and Wideawake on Ascension Island are used should the shuttle abort within minutes of lift off.

This link shows and interesting article showing Fairford's personnel going through their monthly training into dealing with such an event. Quite interesting.

Fairford Airmen prepare for shuttle launch

[Craig.]

And should that ever happen, Gloucester would go from being rather quiet farm country, to the most secure site in Britain, only accessable to US Airforce personel and the cows roaming off the end of the runway.

[a1]

Very interesting. I love shuttle launches.

[MWISimmer]

If it ever happened it would also be the fastest ever land to land trans-atlantic crossing, in the region of 20-25 minutes  :o

[C]

If it ever happened it would also be the fastest ever land to land trans-atlantic crossing, in the region of 20-25 minutes  :o

Thermo-man would be quicker...

[FsNovice]

Filton, from what i can remember would also be on alert to take the shuttles landing if the other sites were unsuitable, due to weather etc in an emergency which i thinks pretty cool, the teachers could wait!!!