Mobile Launcher Platform 2

Space Shuttle Discovery rolls out of the VAB atop MLP-2, ahead of STS-120

Mobile Launcher Platform 2 or MLP-2, formerly Mobile Launcher 2 or ML-2 is one of three Mobile Launcher Platforms used at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was used for Saturn V and Saturn INT-21 launches, and it is now used by the Space Shuttle.

Saturn

Launch of Skylab from ML-2 at LC-39A

MLP-2 was originally constructed in 1964 as a Mobile Launcher for the Saturn V rocket, and was designated ML-2, or LUT-2. It was built by Ingalls Iron Works.^[1] The swing arms, which were constructed by Hayes International were added at a later date.

Following completion, ML-2 was used for the unmanned Apollo 6 mission, followed by three manned Apollo launches; Apollo 9, Apollo 12 and Apollo 14. It was subsequently used for the launch of Skylab on a Saturn INT-21 in 1973.

Space Shuttle

Following the launch of Skylab, ML-2 was the second 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-2.

In total, MLP-2 has been used for forty four Shuttle launches, starting in 1983. All of the orbiters except Columbia made their maiden flights from MLP-2. It was also the launch site for the ill-fated STS-51L mission, when Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated shortly after launch, killing all seven crew.

Launch history

Date/Time (GMT)	Rocket	Mission	Remarks
4 April 1968, 12:00	Saturn V SA-502	Apollo 6	Unmanned test flight
3 March 1969, 16:00	Saturn V SA-504	Apollo 9	Manned test flight
14 November 1969, 16:22	Saturn V SA-507	Apollo 12	Manned lunar landing
31 January 1971, 21:03	Saturn V SA-509	Apollo 14	Manned lunar landing
14 May 1973, 17:30	Saturn INT-21 SA-513	Skylab	Space station
4 April 1983, 18:30	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-6	TDRS deployment, maiden flight of Challenger
30 August 1983, 06:32	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-8
	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-41B
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-41D	Maiden flight of Discovery
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-51A
	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-51B
	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-51F
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-51J	Maiden flight of Atlantis
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-61B
28 January 1986, 16:38	Space Shuttle Challenger	STS-51L	Disintegrated during ascent to orbit
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-26
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-29
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-28
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-33
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-31
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-41
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-39
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-49	Maiden flight of Endeavour
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-47
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-54
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-57
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-61
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-59
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-64
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-63
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-70
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-74
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-76
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-81
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-84
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-86
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-90
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-95
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-96
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-103
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-106
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-98
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-104
	Space Shuttle Columbia	STS-109
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-113
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-115
	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-117
	Space Shuttle Discovery	STS-120
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-123
11 May 2009, 18:01	Space Shuttle Atlantis	STS-125	Hubble servicing mission
	Space Shuttle Endeavour	STS-134

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 2009-03-26. 

• McDowell, Jonathan. "Saturn V". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/SaturnV. Retrieved 2009-03-26. 
• McDowell, Jonathan. "STS". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/STS. Retrieved 2009-03-26.