Mobile Launcher Platform 1

A Saturn V with Apollo 10 rolls out to LC-39B on ML-3

Mobile Launcher Platform 1 or MLP-1, formerly Mobile Launcher 3 or ML-3 is one of three Mobile Launcher Platforms used at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. Saturn V and Space Shuttle launches were conducted from MLP-1 between 1969 and 2009. It will be used for the Ares I-X launch, before it is retired.

Apollo/Saturn V

ML-3 (right) under construction, along with ML-1 and ML-2. The VAB is on the left

MLP-1 was originally constructed as a Mobile Launcher for the Saturn V rocket, and was designated ML-3, or LUT-3. It was built by Ingalls Iron Works. Construction began in 1964, and was completed with the installation of the Launch Umbilical Tower hammerhead crane on 1 March 1965.^[1] The swing arms, which were constructed by Hayes International were added at a later date.

Following completion, ML-3 was used for five manned Apollo launches; Apollo 10, Apollo 13, Apollo 15, Apollo 16 and Apollo 17.

Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle Columbia rolls out to LC-39A atop MLP-1, ahead of STS-107.

Following the launch of Apollo 17, ML-3 was the first of the Mobile Launchers to be converted for use by the Space Shuttle. The Launch Umbilical Tower was dismantled and placed into storage, and the base of the launch platform was modified to accommodate the locations of engines on the Shuttle. The platform was redesignated MLP-1.

In total, MLP-1 was used for fifty two Shuttle launches, between 1981 and 2009. It was used for the first Space Shuttle launch, STS-1, in April 1981. Following the launch of STS-119 in March 2009, it was transferred to Project Constellation. It will be used for the Ares I-X test flight before it is retired.

Launch history

Date/Time (GMT)	Rocket	Mission	Remarks
18 May 1969, 16:49	Saturn V SA-505	Apollo 10	Manned flight to selenocentric orbit
11 April 1970, 19:13	Saturn V SA-508	Apollo 13	Manned Lunar landing, converted to circumlunar flight after oxygen tank exploded
26 July 1971, 13:34	Saturn V SA-510	Apollo 15	Manned Lunar landing
16 April 1972, 17:54	Saturn V SA-511	Apollo 16	Manned Lunar landing
7 December 1972, 05:33	Saturn V SA-512	Apollo 17	Manned lunar landing, final Apollo Lunar mission
12 April 1981, 12:00	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-1	Maiden flight of Space Shuttle, test flight
12 November 1981, 15:10	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-2	Test flight
22 March 1982, 16:00	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-3	Test flight
27 June 1982, 15:00	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-4	Test flight
11 November 1982, 12:19	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-5	Deployed SBS-3 and Anik C3
18 June 1983, 11:33	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-7	Deployed Anik C2 and Palapa B1
28 November 1983, 16:00	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-9	Spacelab mission
	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-41C	Deployed LDEF, repaired SolarMax
	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-41G	Deployed ERBS
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-51C	Deploayed USA-8
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-51D	Deployed Anik C1 and Syncom IV-1
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-51G	Deployed Arabsat 1B, Morelos I and Telstar 3D
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-51I
	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-61A
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-61C
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-27
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-30
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-34
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-36
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-38
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-37
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-43
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-44
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-45
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-46
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-53
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-56
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-58
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-62
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-68
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-67
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-69
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-72
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-77
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-79
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-82
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-94
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-87
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-91
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-93	Deployed Chandra
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-101	ISS resupply
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-97
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-100	ISS assembly, delivered Canadarm2
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-108	ISS resupply
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-111	ISS resupply and crew exchange
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-107	Spacehab mission, disintegrated during reentry
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-121	ISS logistics with MPLM
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-116	ISS assembly, delivered truss segment
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-118	ISS assembly, delivered truss segment
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-122	ISS assembly, delivered Columbus
15 March 2009, 23:43	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-119	ISS assembly, delivered truss segment
28 October 2009	Ares I-X		Final launch from MLP-1

References

1. ^ Benson, Charles D; Faherty, William B. "The Swing-Arm Controversy". Moonport: A History of Apollo Launch Facilities and Operations. NASA History Office. http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4204/ch13-3.html. Retrieved 2009-03-25. 

Further reading

• McDowell, Jonathan. "Saturn V". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/SaturnV. Retrieved 2009-03-25. 
• McDowell, Jonathan. "STS". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/STS. Retrieved 2009-03-25.