Originally Posted by
malkie
Brilliant stuff. Great to see something different
Photos look like something from the TV show 'Lost'
Thank you! I mentioned in my post how the site reminded me of Lost. Glad you felt the same way based on my photos.
Originally Posted by
Doc Savage
You're welcome! The US payed a ton of money to Chile plus all of the fees to extend the runway. I'd guess the government is glad the runway was lengthened to allow full size planes to bring the tourists & pay the entry visa!
Originally Posted by
lad2
The airport served as an emergency landing site for the Space Shuttle.
Correct, that was the plan!
Originally Posted by
glu800
Incidentally, the Mataveri International Airport (IPC) was once designated as an abort landing site for NASA's Space Shuttles when they were planned to be launched into polar orbit from Vandenberg AFB on the West Coast. Unfortunately, with the Challenger disaster, that never happened, and plans to use IPC were scrapped as well. I doubt that has anything to do with the facility you visited, but interesting none the less.
I'm actually writing up an Easter Island trip report now. Just went in early November!
EDIT: Oops... I guess I was a few minutes late posting this :P
How long did you spend on Easter Island? We loved it and felt that we got to see a ton of things. I have another post somewhere on FT (or on my blog) related to another really odd thing I did on Easter Island. It's related to souvenir shopping!