Poseidon launch from USS Daniel Boone – 15 May 1978

Overview

Not all flights on the Eastern Range actually launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launch complexes. Since the early 1960’s, launches from the Atlantic Ocean off the Cape have been commonplace with few of these launches noticed by people on shore.

Other than standard notices to mariners and airmen, no public announcement is generally made prior to these launches which take place from submarines or specially equipped surface ships.

Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU)

Created in 1950, the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) supports the mission capability and readiness of the U.S. Navy’s Trident II submarines as well as the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program of the United Kingdom. NOTU operates the Navy Port at Port Canaveral, supporting submarines and surface ships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visiting foreign navies, and Military Sealift Command assets.

Related Pages:

More Cape Canaveral Facilities
History Center Storyboard – Sea Launches