Edwards to open viewing area for possible shuttle landing Published June 21, 2007 By 1st Lt. Brad Kimberly 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Edwards Air Force Base is planning to open its Mercury Boulevard viewing area Friday and Saturday for the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis. In the event the space shuttle is unable to land at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Edwards is the primary alternate landing site for the conclusion of STS-117. Any members of the public wishing to view the potential shuttle landing must do so from the Mercury Boulevard viewing area. From Lancaster and Palmdale, the viewing area can be reached by driving northbound on 120th Street East and making a right-hand turn on Mercury Boulevard just before the South Gate checkpoint. From there, the viewing area is 12 miles down the road. From Boron, go south on Rocket Site Road until it intersects with Mercury Boulevard. Make a right on Mercury Boulevard and continue to the viewing area four miles down the road. The public will not be permitted to pass through any of the installation's gates for viewing the shuttle landing on base. The shuttle's potential landing times at Edwards are Friday at 12:49 p.m., 2:23 p.m., and 3:59 p.m. The potential landing times for Saturday are 1:07 p.m. and 2:42 p.m. Media are invited to attend the landing, but must make arrangements with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Public Affairs office by calling (661) 276-3449 as soon as possible. (Editor's Note: Landing times current as of June 22 at 8:02 a.m.)