Freedom Star

**Freedom Star**
Ship data
flag	United States
Callsign	KRFB
home port	Jacksonville
Owner	US Department of Transportation
Shipyard	Atlantic Marine
Build number	184
Ship dimensions and crew
length	53.65 m ( Lüa )
width	11.28 m
Side height	4.57 m
measurement	743 GT / 222 NRZ
Machine system
machine	2 × diesel engines ( General Motors )
Machine ; performance	2,248 kW (3,056 hp)
Energy ; supply	2 × diesel generators
Generator ; power	330 kW (449 hp)
propeller	2 × propellers
Furnishing
traction	Max. 27 tons
Others
Classifications	American Bureau of Shipping
Registration ; numbers	IMO no. 7925314

The Freedom Star is an American ocean- going work ship and ocean tug . It is owned by NASA and operated by the United Space Alliance .

history

The ship was under the hull number 184 of the shipyard built Atlantic Marine Shipyard and delivered to the shipping company in January 1981st Around 2003 the ship was sold to NASA.

The Freedom Star recovered the separated solid rocket boosters during space shuttle missions about 230 km off the coast of Florida from the Atlantic . The ship acted as a tug for the rockets moored alongside. It was also used to transport the external tanks of the space shuttles on barges from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In the past, NASA has also made the ship available to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and some universities for research trips at short notice .

The sister ship is the Liberty Star .

Web links

Commons : Freedom Star - collection of pictures, videos and audio files