NASA picks Florida agency to take over shuttle landing strip

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, July 13:  NASA has selected  Space Florida, a state-backed economic development agency, to take over operations, maintenance and development of the space shuttle’s idled landing site at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, officials said yesterday. Terms of the agreement, which have not yet been finalized, were not disclosed, but Space Florida has made no secret about its desire to take over facilities no longer needed by NASA to develop a multi-user commercial spaceport, somewhat akin to an airport or seaport. (agencies)