Launch Complex 36

Overview

Systems

  • Atlas Centaur, LV-3C and SLV-5D
  • Atlas G Centaur
  • Atlas I Centaur
  • Atlas II Centaur
  • Atlas IIA Centaur
  • Atlas IIAS Centaur
  • Atlas IIIA Centaur
  • Atlas IIIB Centaur

Other Programs

  • Surveyor
  • Mariner Mars
  • Pioneer Venus
  • INTELSAT IV and V
  • FLTSATCOM
  • Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS)
  • Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)
  • Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES)
  • National Reconnaissance Office payloads
  • Commercial

Cost: $6,535,000 each pad

Launch Complex 36 Highlights

  • February 1961 – Completed with a single launch pad, 36A, for Atlas Centaur by the Air Force
  • 21 November 1961 – Bids for the second pad were released
  • 1963 – Launch complex transferred to NASA and NASA built Pad 36B
  • February 1963 to 31 July 1964 – Construction on Pad 36A
  • February 1963 to July 1964 – Second pad, 36B added
  • 8 May 1962 to 2 March 1965 – Pad 36A supported the first 5 developmental flights of the Atlas Centaur
  • 11 August 1965 to 26 October 1966 – Pad 36B supported 3 developmental flights of the Atlas Centaur
  • 30 May 1966 to 7 January 1968 – Four Surveyor missions launched from Pad 36A
  • 17 April 1967 – 7 November 1967 – Three Surveyor missions launched from Pad 36B
  • 24 February 1969 to 3 November 1973 – Three Mariner missions launched from Pad 36B
  • 27 March 1969 to 8 May 1971 – Two Mariner missions launched from Pad 36A
  • 2 March 1972 to 8 August 1978 – Four Pioneer missions launched from Pad 36A
  • 1970’s and 1980’s – Launch Complex supported INTELSAT IV and V commercial communications satellite missions
  • 9 February 1978 to 6 August 1981 – Total 5 FLTSATCOM launched from Pad 36A
  • 5 December 1986 to 25 September 1989 – Total 3 FLTSATCOM launched from Pad 36B
  • 1 December 1988 – Awarded contract to build new umbilical tower for Pad 36A. Modified launch complex for Atlas II Centaur. Major work done on the Mobile Service Tower to halt corrosion
  • October 1989 – Modification work for Atlas II Centaur completed
  • Late September 1989 – NASA returned launch complex to Air Force and General Dynamics for military operations
  • 25 July 1990 to 25 April 1991 – Total of 11 Atlas Centaur I launched from Pad 36B
  • 17 December 1991 – First and only Atlas Centaur II launched from Pad 36B
  • 1 February 1992 to 16 March 1998 – Total of 9 Atlas Centaur II launched from Pad 36A
  • 10 June 1992 to 23 November 1999 – Total of 5 Atlas Centaur IIA launched from Pad 36B
  • 16 December 1993 to 19 May 2004 – Total of 17 Atlas Centaur IIAS launched from Pad 36B
  • 3 August 1994 to 5 December 2002 – Total of 18 Atlas Centaur IIA launched from Pad 36A
  • 4 September 1997 to 31 August 2002 – Total of 10 Atlas Centaur IIAS launched from Pad 36A
  • 24 May 2000 to 13 March 2004 – Atlas Centaur IIIA launched from Pad 36B
  • 21 February 2002, and last 3 February 2005 – Total of 4 Atlas Centaur IIIB launched from Pad 36B
  • Launch Complexes 36A and 36B deactivated
  • 16 June 2007 – Two Mobile Service Tower were brought down with explosives
  • 11 August 2008 – Launch complex leased to Space Florida
  • 5 October 2008 – Request For Proposals (RFP) for Launch Complex 36 issued for a commercial space launch site
  • 22 October 2008 – U.S. Air Force and Florida dignitaries broke ground on Launch Complex 36
More Cape Canaveral Facilities
History Center Storyboard – Launch Complex 36