Spaceport Florida Launch Complex 36

Launch Complex 36

An Atlas-Centaur at LC-36 prior to the launch of Pioneer 10
Launch site	CCAFS (1962-2010) Spaceport Florida (2010—)
Location	28.470417°N 80.539978°W
Short name	SLC-36
Operator	Space Florida Formerly:NASA US Air Force
Total launches	145
Launch pad(s)	2
Minimum / maximum orbital inclination	28° - 57°
LC-36A launch history
Status	Inactive
Launches	69
First launch	Atlas-Centaur, 18 May 1962
Last launch	SDS-3, 31 August 2004
Associated rockets	Atlas Atlas II
LC-36B launch history
Status	Inactive
Launches	76
First launch	Atlas-Centaur, 11 August 1965
Last launch	NOSS-3, 3 February 2005
Associated rockets	Atlas Atlas II Atlas III

Launch Complex 36 (LC-36), known as Space Launch Complex 36 (SLC-36) from 1997 to 2010, is a launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Brevard County, Florida. Now operated under license by Space Florida, it was used for Atlas launches from 1962 until 2005.^[1][2] The complex consisted of two pads, SLC-36A and -36B, and was the launch site for the Pioneer, Surveyor, and Mariner probes.^[3] There were 69 and 76 launches from pads 36A and 36B, respectively. The Atlas rockets launched from Complex 36 were replaced by the Atlas V launches from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral.

In March 2010, the USAF 45th Space Wing issued Real Property Licenses to Space Florida for Space Launch Complexes 36 and 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.^[4][5]

Demolition

The umbilical towers of both pads were demolished during the autumn of 2006.^[6] The mobile service towers were both demolished in controlled explosions on June 16, 2007. Tower B was demolished at 13:59 GMT (09:59 EDT) and tower A followed twelve minutes later at 14:11 (10:11 EDT).^[7]

An Atlas III launches from SLC-36B   The MSS of Space Launch Complex 36A falls to the ground after critical supports are destroyed in a controlled explosion. (NASA)

See also

• List of Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island launch sites

References

1. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (February 22, 1998). "Issue 350". Jonathan's Space Report. Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.350. Retrieved January 25, 2010. 
2. ^ "Table 3 — Launch Capability in Florida". AU-18 Space Handbook. Air War College Gateway to the Internet. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/au-18/au180051.htm. Retrieved January 25, 2010. 
3. ^ Research Triangle Institute, Center for Aerospace Technology (CAST), Florida Office (March 1999). "Launch Site Safety Assessment, Section 1.0 Eastern Range General Range Capabilities" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. p. 31. http://www.fas.org/spp/military/facility/99mar_ccas_1.pdf. Retrieved January 25, 2010. 
4. ^ "Air Force licenses two launch complexes for commercial use". http://www.patrick.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123194543. Retrieved March 15, 2010. 
5. ^ "Space Florida secures licenses for Launch Complexes 46 and 36". http://www.spaceflorida.gov/index.php/en/news/37-news/192-space-florida-secures-licenses-for-launch-complexes-46-and-36. Retrieved March 15, 2010. 
6. ^ Coledan, Stefano S. (February 28, 2006). "Slowly Crumbling, NASA Landmarks May Face the Bulldozer". The New York Times (Cape Canaveral: The New York Times). http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/science/space/28merc.html. Retrieved January 25, 2010. 
7. ^ Warren, Ken (June 21, 2007). "Historic complex 36 towers toppled". Air Force (Patrick Air Force Base: 45th SW Public Affairs). http://www.patrick.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123058078. Retrieved January 25, 2010. 

External links

Coordinates: 28°28′14″N 80°32′24″W / 28.470417°N 80.539978°W / 28.470417; -80.539978

• Patrick Air Force Base