Hound Dog Launch from B-52

Not all flights on the Eastern Range actually launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launch complexes. Since late 1958, launches from aircraft flying above the Atlantic Ocean off the Cape have been commonplace with few of these launches noticed by the general public.

Overview

Systems

Launch Platforms

  • B-47 aircraft
  • B-52 aircraft
  • B-58 aircraft
  • FB-111 aircraft
  • L-1011 aircraft

Launch Highlights

  • ALBM-C launched from B-58 aircraft
    • First launch – 5 September 1958
    • Last launch – 4 June 1959
    • Total launched – 3
  • Bold Orion launched from B-47 aircraft
    • First launch – 26 May 1958
    • Last launch – 13 October 1959
    • Total launched – 12
  • Hound Dog launched from B-52 aircraft
    • First launch – 23 April 1959
    • Last launch – 30 August 1965
    • Total launched – 77
  • Pegasus launched from B-52 aircraft
    • Single launch – 9 February 1993
  • Pegasus H launched from L-1011 aircraft
    • Single launch – 23 October 1998
  • Pegasus XL launched from L-1011 aircraft
    • First launch – 5 February 2002
    • Last launch – 28 April 2003
    • Total launched – 3
  • Skybolt launched from B-52 aircraft
    • First launch – 19 April 1962
    • Last launch – 22 December 1962
    • Total launched – 6
  • SRAM launched from B-52 aircraft
    • First launch – 20 August 1974
    • Last launch – 26 July 1983
    • Total launched – 17
  • SRAM launched from FB-111 aircraft
    • First launch – 21 April 1975
    • Last launch – 9 December 1981
    • Total launched – 14
More Cape Canaveral Facilities