Launch Complex 40

Overview

Systems

Other Programs

  • SKYNET
  • JCSAT
  • INTELSAT
  • DSCS
  • Cassini
  • Milstar
  • SDS
  • Classified military programs
  • Dragon (SpaceX)

Cost: Not available

Launch Complex 40 Highlights

  • 18 June 1965 to 6 March 1982 – Total of 26 Titan IIIC launched
  • October 1965 – Akwa-Downey Construction Co. began building the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) Environmental Shelter
  • 3 October 1966 – Modified Gemini capsule by McDonnell Aircraft Co. delivered to Environmental Shelter to perform a heat shield test for the MOL program
  • 3 November 1966 – Sole Titan IIIC MOL/Gemini mockup launch
  • April 1970 – The Environmental Shelter modified to accept new Titan payload fairing and support Titan IIIC launch operations when flights continued
  • 8 April 1970 to 6 March 1982 – Total of 23 Titan IIIC launched with mainly DOD payloads – VELA, DSP, DSCS and classified DOD payloads
  • Pad modified for the first Titan 34D/IUS (Inertial Upper Stage)
  • 30 October 1982 to 4 September 1989 – Total of 8 Titan 34D IUS launched
  • 1 January 1990 to 25 September 1992 – Four commercial Titan IIIC launched
  • June 1990 to June 1993 – Launch complex almost completely rebuilt for Titan IVA. Project included a new Mobile Service Tower (MST), new umbilical tower (UT) and supporting systems. The MST was 265′ tall and the UT was 170′ tall.
  • Fall 1991 – Ubilical Tower completed
  • April 1992 – Mobile Service Tower completed
  • 7 February 1994 to 22 December 1994 – Total of 5 Titan IVA launched
  • 23 February 1997 to 30 April 2005 – Total of 5 Titan IVB launched
  • Pad then placed in standby status. Could have been used for the NASA Ares program
  • 27 April 2008 – Mobile Service Tower demolished
  • 2008 – Launch complex was modified for the SpaceX Falcon 9 program. Modifications include a large hangar on the pad to work on the Falcon, new launch mount, mobile Transporter/Erector system and support equipment
  • 4 June 2010 – First Falcon 9 launch, a test of the booster
  • 8 December 2010 – Falcon 9 NASA COTS-Demo with Dragon payload, released into space and successfully recovered in the Pacific Ocean after two orbits
  • 22 May 2012 – Falcon 9, NASA COTS 2 Dragon launched followed by berthing with International Space Station (ISS)
  • 2 December 2013 – Upgraded Falcon 9 with first geostationary payload scheduled
  • 30 May 2020 – historic launch of Falcon 9 and the Dragon Capsule by NASA and SpaceX, transporting American astronauts to the International Space Station, marking the first time the United States had launched astronauts into space since the Space Shuttle program was retired in 2011.

Related Pages:

More Cape Canaveral Facilities
History Center Storyboard – Launch Complex 40