Launch Complex 17

Overview

Systems

Other Programs

  • ASSET (Aero thermodynamic/Elastic Structural Systems Environmental Test
  • Echo
  • Relay
  • Explorer
  • OSO (Orbiting Solar Observatories)
  • Pioneer
  • Tiros
  • GOES (Geo-stationary Operational Environmental Satellite)
  • INTELSAT
  • FLTSATCOM
  • NATO
  • SKYNET
  • TELESAT
  • PALAPA
  • WESTAR
  • SATCOM
  • MARISAT
  • GPS (Global Positioning System)
  • Mars Exploration Rovers – Spirit and Opportunity
  • GRAIL

Cost: $3,503,000 each pad

Launch Complex 17 Highlights

  • April 1956 – Construction underway
  • September 1956 – Air Force accepted Pad 17B
  • 29 November 1956 – Construction completed
  • 25 January 1957 to 17 December 1959 – Total of 26 Thor launched from Pad 17B
  • April 1957 – Air Force accepted Pad 17A
  • 30 August 1957 to 28 January 1957 – Total of 5 Thor were launched from Pad 17A
  • 23 April 1958 to 1 April 1960 – Total of seven were launched from Pad 17A. Payloads were Explorer, Transit, Pioneer and Tiros
  • 17 August 1958 to 8 November 1958 – Thor Able I series launched from Pad 17A. Three were launched with Pioneer payloads
  • 23 January 1959 to 11 June 1959 – Total of 6 Thor Able II launched from Pad 17A
  • 14 April 1960 to 10 May 1962 – Total of 10 Thor Able Star launched from Pad 17B
  • 10 July 1962 – First Delta launched from Pad 17B
  • 10 July 1962 to 7 September 1967 – Total of 27 Delta B, C, E and G launches from Pad 17B
  • 31 October 1962 – One Thor Able Star launched from Pad 17A
  • Early 1960’s – Modified Pad 17A to support Thor Delta
  • 13 May 1960 – First Delta launched Pad 17A
  • 13 May 1960 to 27 August 1969 – Total of 44 Delta A, B, C, D, E, G, L, M and N launches from Pad 17A
  • 18 September 1963 to 23 February 1965 – Total of 6 DSV-2G ASSET (Aerothermodynamics Elastic Structural Systems Environmental Test) launched
  • April 1965 – Air Force transferred launch complex to NASA
  • October 1968 – Complex returned to Air Force to support Delta II launches
  • 22 September 1972 to 12 June 1990 – Total of 41 Delta 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 launched
  • 26 August 1975 to 26 February 1987 – Total of 34 Delta 2000 and 3000 from Pad 17A
  • 14 February 1989 – First Delta II launched from Pad 17A
  • Launch complex modifications to support Delta II included raising the Mobile Service Tower from 112′ to 126′, structural repairs and systems replacement
  • 14 February 1990 – First Delta II launch was from Pad 17B
  • 12 January 1997 – Blockhouse closed after Delta II failure from Pad 17A. Launch operations moved to Delta Launch Operations Control Facility.
  • 1997 – Pad 17B modified for Delta III
  • 26 August 1998 to 23 August 2000 – Total of 3 Delta III launched
  • 10 September 2011 – Final mission from Launch Complex 17, GRAIL lunar mission
  • December 2013 – Blockhouse demolished

Related Pages:

More Cape Canaveral Facilities
History Center Storyboard – Space Launch Complex 17