Matagorda
Matagorda Island AFB[edit]
Matagorda Island AFB, Matagorda Island, TX (28.33N 96.46W) is a surface base that comes with the default Orbiter installation (although no structures, pads or runways are included).
History[edit]
Built during WW2 and know as Matagorda Island AFB. The site was one of the early NASA considerations for a launch site before they settled on Cape Canaveral. Matagorda Island AFB was deactivated in 1975.
Today, the runways and taxiways, although infested with vegetation, are in very good condition. There are several structures, hangars, and buildings of various types in various stages of deterioration. Also there is a usable dock and a small port facility.
Pads and runways[edit]
When in use, the base had 6 paved runways, control tower, VOR (116.4) and NDB beacons. It had one 15,000 ft runway, two 10,000 ft, and numerous shorter runways (at least 5000 ft).
Maps and charts[edit]
Pierce Field[edit]
Matagorda Peninsula Army Airfield (also named Matagorda Peninsula Airport, Matagorda Club Airfield or Pierce Field (72TA))(28.46N 96.29W) is also nearby.
History[edit]
Built during WW2 to support the Matagorda Bombing Range to the west. The airfield had a total of 5 paved runways. It was used by Deke Slayton and other former astronauts in a private space venture in the late 1960s/1970s. Several attempts to launch kerosene/liquid oxygen vehicles failed.
Pads and runways[edit]
- Runway 6/24, 1829 x 23 m, concrete
- Runway 18/36, 1524 x 23 m, concrete
Maps and charts[edit]
In science fiction[edit]
Matagorda is used in the Ben Bova books as a space base.