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{{short description|Historic launch pad operated by NASA}} |
{{short description|Historic launch pad operated by NASA}} |
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{{Use American English|date=May 2020}} |
{{Use American English|date=May 2020}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} |
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{{Infobox launch pad |
{{Infobox launch pad |
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| name = Launch Complex 39B |
| name = Launch Complex 39B |
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| location = [[Merritt Island]], [[Florida]] |
| location = [[Merritt Island]], [[Florida]] |
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| coordinates = {{Coord|28|37|38|N|80|37|15|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=title, inline}} |
| coordinates = {{Coord|28|37|38|N|80|37|15|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=title, inline}} |
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| operator = [[NASA]] ( |
| operator = [[NASA]] (1967–present) |
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| inclination = 28–62° |
| inclination = 28–62° |
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| paddetails = {{Infobox launch pad/pad |
| paddetails = {{Infobox launch pad/pad |
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| status = Active |
| status = Active |
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| launches = |
| launches = 60 |
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| first_launch = {{Start-date|May 18, 1969}} |
| first_launch = {{Start-date|May 18, 1969}} |first_details = [[Saturn V]] / [[Apollo 10]] |
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| ⚫ | | last_launch = {{Start-date|November 16, 2022}} |last_details = [[Space Launch System]] / [[Artemis 1]] |
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| first_details = [[Saturn V]] [[Apollo 10|SA-505]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| last_details = [[Artemis 1]] |
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| rockets = {{Hlist|[[Saturn V]] (retired)|[[Saturn IB]] (retired)|[[Space Shuttle]] (retired)|[[Ares I]] (plans canceled)|[[OmegA]] (plans canceled)|[[Space Launch System|SLS]] (current)}} |
| rockets = {{Hlist|[[Saturn V]] (retired)|[[Saturn IB]] (retired)|[[Space Shuttle]] (retired)|[[Ares I]] (plans canceled)|[[OmegA]] (plans canceled)|[[Space Launch System|SLS]] (current)}} |
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'''Launch Complex 39B''' ('''LC-39B''') is the second of [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39|Launch Complex 39]]'s three [[launch pad]]s, located at [[NASA]]'s [[Kennedy Space Center]] in [[Merritt Island]], |
'''Launch Complex 39B''' ('''LC-39B''') is the second of [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39|Launch Complex 39]]'s three [[launch pad]]s, located at [[NASA]]'s [[Kennedy Space Center]] in [[Merritt Island]], Florida. The pad, along with [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|Launch Complex 39A]], was first designed for the [[Saturn V]] launch vehicle, which at the time was the United States' most powerful rocket. Typically used to launch NASA's [[Human spaceflight|crewed spaceflight missions]] since the late 1960s, the pad is currently configured for use by the agency's [[Space Launch System]] rocket, a [[Shuttle-Derived Vehicle|Shuttle-derived launch vehicle]] which is currently used in the [[Artemis program]] and subsequent Moon to Mars campaigns. The pad had also been leased by NASA to aerospace company [[Northrop Grumman]], for use as a launch site for their Shuttle-derived [[OmegA]] launch vehicle, for [[National Security Space Launch]] flights and commercial launches, before the OmegA program was cancelled. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Apollo program=== |
===Apollo program=== |
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In 1961, President Kennedy proposed to Congress the goal of landing a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Congressional approval led to the launch of the [[Apollo program]], which required a massive expansion of NASA operations, including an expansion of launch operations from the Cape to adjacent Merritt Island to the north and west.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceline.org/capehistory/3a.html|title=The History of Cape Canaveral, Chapter 3: NASA Arrives (1959–Present)|publisher=Spaceline.org|access-date=2009- |
In 1961, President Kennedy proposed to Congress the goal of landing a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Congressional approval led to the launch of the [[Apollo program]], which required a massive expansion of NASA operations, including an expansion of launch operations from the Cape to adjacent Merritt Island to the north and west.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceline.org/capehistory/3a.html|title=The History of Cape Canaveral, Chapter 3: NASA Arrives (1959–Present)|publisher=Spaceline.org|access-date=July 6, 2009|archive-date=February 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204064853/http://www.spaceline.org/capehistory/3a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Launch Complex 39B was designed to handle launches of the [[Saturn V]] rocket, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle, which would propel Apollo spacecraft to the Moon. Launch Complex 39B's inaugural launch in May 1969 was also that of the only Saturn V to launch from the pad; SA-505, used to launch the [[Apollo 10]] mission. |
Launch Complex 39B was designed to handle launches of the [[Saturn V]] rocket, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle, which would propel Apollo spacecraft to the Moon. Launch Complex 39B's inaugural launch in May 1969 was also that of the only Saturn V to launch from the pad; SA-505, used to launch the [[Apollo 10]] mission. |
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After the [[Apollo 17]] mission in 1972, Pad 39B was used for [[Saturn IB]] launches. The [[Mobile launcher platform#Saturn V and Space Shuttle|Mobile Launcher]]s were then modified for the Saturn IB rocket, by adding a "milk-stool" extension platform to the launch pedestal, so that the [[S-IVB]] upper stage and Apollo spacecraft swing arms would reach their targets. These were used for three crewed [[Skylab]] flights and the [[ |
After the [[Apollo 17]] mission in 1972, Pad 39B was used for [[Saturn IB]] launches. The [[Mobile launcher platform#Saturn V and Space Shuttle|Mobile Launcher]]s were then modified for the Saturn IB rocket, by adding a "milk-stool" extension platform to the launch pedestal, so that the [[S-IVB]] upper stage and Apollo spacecraft swing arms would reach their targets. These were used for three crewed [[Skylab]] flights and the [[Apollo–Soyuz]], since the Saturn IB pads 34 and 37 at Cape Canaveral had been decommissioned.<ref>{{cite web |
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| url = http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX34/ |
| url = http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX34/ |
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| title = Launch Complex 34 |
| title = Launch Complex 34 |
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| access-date = February 11, 2017 |
| access-date = February 11, 2017 |
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| archive-date = February 12, 2017 |
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| ⚫ | |||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170212093022/http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX34/ |
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| url-status = dead |
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| ⚫ | |||
| url = http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX37/ |
| url = http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX37/ |
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| title = Launch Complex 37 |
| title = Launch Complex 37 |
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| access-date = February 11, 2017 |
| access-date = February 11, 2017 |
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| archive-date = March 2, 2017 |
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| ⚫ | |||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170302234203/http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX37/ |
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| url-status = dead |
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| ⚫ | |||
===Space Shuttle=== |
===Space Shuttle=== |
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With the advent of the [[Space Shuttle program]] in the early 1980s, the original structure of the launch pads were remodeled for the needs of the [[Space Shuttle]]. Pad 39A hosted all Space Shuttle launches until January 1986, when {{OV|99}} would become the first to launch from pad 39B during the ill-fated [[STS-51-L]] mission, which ended with [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|the destruction of ''Challenger'' and the death of the mission's crew]] a minute into the flight. |
With the advent of the [[Space Shuttle program]] in the early 1980s, the original structure of the launch pads were remodeled for the needs of the [[Space Shuttle]]. Pad 39A hosted all Space Shuttle launches until January 1986, when {{OV|99|full=nolink}} would become the first to launch from pad 39B during the ill-fated [[STS-51-L]] mission, which ended with [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|the destruction of ''Challenger'' and the death of the mission's crew]] a minute into the flight. |
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Launch Complex 39B hosted 53 Space Shuttle launches until December 2006, when ''Discovery'' launched from the pad for the final time during the [[STS-116]] mission. The program's remaining flights launched from pad 39A. To support the final Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope [[STS-125]] launched from pad 39A in May 2009, ''[[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' was placed on 39B if needed to launch the [[STS-400]] rescue mission. |
Launch Complex 39B hosted 53 Space Shuttle launches until December 2006, when ''Discovery'' launched from the pad for the final time during the [[STS-116]] mission. The program's remaining flights launched from pad 39A. To support the final Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope [[STS-125]] launched from pad 39A in May 2009, ''[[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' was placed on 39B if needed to launch the [[STS-400]] rescue mission. |
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===Artemis program=== |
===Artemis program=== |
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On |
On November 16, 2022, at 06:47:44 UTC, the [[Space Launch System]] (SLS) was launched from Complex 39B as part of the [[Artemis 1]] mission.<ref>{{Citation |title=Artemis I Launch to the Moon (Official NASA Broadcast) - Nov. 16, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMLD0Lp0JBg |language=en |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116093027/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMLD0Lp0JBg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nasa-20221108">{{cite web |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2022/11/08/nasa-prepares-rocket-spacecraft-ahead-of-tropical-storm-nicole-re-targets-launch/ |title=NASA Prepares Rocket, Spacecraft Ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole, Re-targets Launch |work=[[NASA]] |date=November 8, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108231240/https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2022/11/08/nasa-prepares-rocket-spacecraft-ahead-of-tropical-storm-nicole-re-targets-launch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Current status == |
== Current status == |
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After the Ares I-X test flight in 2009, NASA removed the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) from Pad 39B, returning the location to an Apollo-like "clean pad" design for the first time since 1977. This approach is intended to make the pad available to multiple types of vehicles that will arrive at the pad with service structures on the [[mobile launcher platform]], as opposed to using fixed structures on the pad.<ref>{{cite news|title=Historic space shuttle pad soon to be scrap|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2011-03-23-shuttle-launch-pad_N.htm|newspaper=USA Today|date=23 |
After the Ares I-X test flight in 2009, NASA removed the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) from Pad 39B, returning the location to an Apollo-like "clean pad" design for the first time since 1977. This approach is intended to make the pad available to multiple types of vehicles that will arrive at the pad with service structures on the [[mobile launcher platform]], as opposed to using fixed structures on the pad.<ref>{{cite news|title=Historic space shuttle pad soon to be scrap|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2011-03-23-shuttle-launch-pad_N.htm|newspaper=USA Today|date=March 23, 2011|access-date=July 14, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726192453/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2011-03-23-shuttle-launch-pad_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The LH<sub>2</sub>, LOX, and water tanks used for the sound suppression system are the only structures left from the Space Shuttle era.<ref name=nsf20150322>{{cite news |last1=Bergin |first1=Chris |title=KSC Pads continue preparations for future vehicles |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/ksc-pads-preparations-future-vehicles/ |access-date=March 24, 2015 |work=NASASpaceFlight.com |date=March 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324225630/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/ksc-pads-preparations-future-vehicles/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sound">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/sound-suppression-system.html|title=Sound Suppression System|access-date=September 30, 2007|publisher=NASA|year=2006|author=NASA|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629143632/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/sound-suppression-system.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts127/status.html |title=STS-127 Rollaround starts |access-date=May 31, 2009 |publisher=Space Flight Now |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227120211/https://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts127/status.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{As of|2012|6}}, repairs and modifications to selected facility systems at LC-39B for [[Space Launch System]] (SLS) processing and launch operations, as part of the first phase of a five-phase project, were being completed. The second phase of this project is currently budgeted for $89.2 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/632670main_NASA_FY13_Budget_CECR-508.pdf |title=NASA FY13 Budget |publisher=NASA |access-date=23 February 2016 }}</ref>{{update after|2014|4|16}} |
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In 2014, NASA announced that it would make LC-39B available to commercial users during times when it is not needed by the Space Launch System.<ref name=sfn20140415>{{cite news |last=Clark|first=Stephen |title=SpaceX's mega-rocket to debut next year at pad 39A |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1404/15pad39a/#.U06Y5VfTnhN|access-date= |
In 2014, NASA announced that it would make LC-39B available to commercial users during times when it is not needed by the Space Launch System.<ref name=sfn20140415>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |title=SpaceX's mega-rocket to debut next year at pad 39A |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1404/15pad39a/#.U06Y5VfTnhN |access-date=April 16, 2014 |newspaper=SpaceflightNow |date=April 15, 2014 |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308004405/https://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1404/15pad39a/#.U06Y5VfTnhN |url-status=live }}</ref> NASA subsequently agreed to allow Orbital ATK to use LC-39B for their [[OmegA]] launch vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/04/06/orbital-atk-optimistic-proposed-ksc-rocket/100091308/|title=Orbital ATK optimistic about proposed KSC rocket|website=floridatoday.com|access-date=November20, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120055859/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/04/06/orbital-atk-optimistic-proposed-ksc-rocket/100091308/|url-status=live}}</ref> However Northrop Grumman, who absorbed Orbital ATK in June 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/northrop-grumman-completes-acquisition-of-orbital-atk-for-92-billion/128410.article|title=Northrop Grumman completes acquisition of Orbital ATK for $9.2 billion|website=flightglobal.com|date=June 7, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208190013/https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/northrop-grumman-completes-acquisition-of-orbital-atk-for-92-billion/128410.article|url-status=live}}</ref> cancelled the development of OmegA in September 2020 before any launches had taken place; SLS will therefore remain the only user of LC-39B for the foreseeable future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/14/northrop-grumman-ends-omega-rocket-program-after-losing-military-launch-competition/|title=Northrop Grumman ends OmegA rocket program|website=spaceflightnow.com|date=September14, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120055859/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/14/northrop-grumman-ends-omega-rocket-program-after-losing-military-launch-competition/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/09/omega-mlp-ksc-39b-multi-user-pad/|title=OmegA Launch Tower to be demolished as KSC 39B fails to become a multi-user pad|website=nasaspaceflight.com|date=September11, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106153055/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/09/omega-mlp-ksc-39b-multi-user-pad/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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{{As of|2022|11}}, LC-39B manages the [[Space Launch System]] (SLS)'s processing and launch operations, as part of the first phase of a five-phase project, were being completed. The second phase of this project is currently budgeted for $89.2 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/632670main_NASA_FY13_Budget_CECR-508.pdf |title=NASA FY13 Budget |publisher=NASA |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217015915/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/632670main_NASA_FY13_Budget_CECR-508.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Artemis I Launch to the Moon (Official NASA Broadcast) - Nov. 16, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMLD0Lp0JBg |language=en |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116093027/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMLD0Lp0JBg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nasa-20221108"/> |
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{{Clear}} |
{{Clear}} |
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'''Sources''' |
'''Sources''' |
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{{Refbegin}} |
{{Refbegin}} |
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# {{Cite book|last=Ward|first=Jonathan H.|title=Countdown to a Moon Launch: Preparing Apollo for Its Historic Journey|date=2015|publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]|location=[[Greensboro, North Carolina]]|access-date=May 20, 2020|isbn=978-3-319-17792-2|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-17792-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdgjCgAAQBAJ}} |
# {{Cite book|last=Ward|first=Jonathan H.|title=Countdown to a Moon Launch: Preparing Apollo for Its Historic Journey|date=2015|publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]|location=[[Greensboro, North Carolina]]|access-date=May 20, 2020|isbn=978-3-319-17792-2|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-17792-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdgjCgAAQBAJ|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217133705/https://books.google.com/books?id=MdgjCgAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} |
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# {{Cite web|last=Bergin|first=Chris|title=KSC's historic Pad 39B laying the foundations for hosting big rockets|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/pad-39b-foundations-hosting-big-rockets/|website=[[NASASpaceFlight.com]]|access-date=May 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520031736/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/pad-39b-foundations-hosting-big-rockets/|archive-date=May 20, 2020|date=May 30, 2017|url-status=live}} |
# {{Cite web|last=Bergin|first=Chris|title=KSC's historic Pad 39B laying the foundations for hosting big rockets|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/pad-39b-foundations-hosting-big-rockets/|website=[[NASASpaceFlight.com]]|access-date=May 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520031736/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/pad-39b-foundations-hosting-big-rockets/|archive-date=May 20, 2020|date=May 30, 2017|url-status=live}} |
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{{Refend}} |
{{Refend}} |
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* [http://nasatech.net/PadBmod255_091014/ Pad B modifications for Ares 1-X, level 255] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101232259/http://nasatech.net/PadBmod255_091014/ |date=November 1, 2009 }} |
* [http://nasatech.net/PadBmod255_091014/ Pad B modifications for Ares 1-X, level 255] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101232259/http://nasatech.net/PadBmod255_091014/ |date=November 1, 2009 }} |
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* [http://nasatech.net/PadBmod235_091014/ Pad B modifications for Ares 1-X, level 235] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031020904/http://nasatech.net/PadBmod235_091014/ |date=October 31, 2009 }} |
* [http://nasatech.net/PadBmod235_091014/ Pad B modifications for Ares 1-X, level 235] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031020904/http://nasatech.net/PadBmod235_091014/ |date=October 31, 2009 }} |
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* [http://nasatech.net/ntSubPad39B_PAGE.html The conversion to SLS configuration on Launch Pad 39B – Construction Progress as of June 27, 2014]{{Dead link|date=November 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |
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{{Kennedy Space Center}} |
{{Kennedy Space Center}} |
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Space Launch System atop LC-39B on March 18, 2022
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 | |||||||||||||
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Merritt Island, Florida | ||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 28°37′38″N 80°37′15″W / 28.62722°N 80.62083°W / 28.62722; -80.62083 | ||||||||||||
| Operator | NASA (1967–present) | ||||||||||||
| Orbital inclination range | 28–62° | ||||||||||||
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Launch Complex 39--Pad B | |||||||||||||
 
 Show map of the United States | |||||||||||||
| Location | John F. Kennedy Space Center, Titusville, Florida | ||||||||||||
| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) | ||||||||||||
| Built | 1967-1968 | ||||||||||||
| MPS | John F. Kennedy Space Center MPS | ||||||||||||
| NRHP reference No. | 99001639[1] | ||||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | January 21, 2000 | ||||||||||||
Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B) is the second of Launch Complex 39's three launch pads, located at NASA's Kennedy Space CenterinMerritt Island, Florida. The pad, along with Launch Complex 39A, was first designed for the Saturn V launch vehicle, which at the time was the United States' most powerful rocket. Typically used to launch NASA's crewed spaceflight missions since the late 1960s, the pad is currently configured for use by the agency's Space Launch System rocket, a Shuttle-derived launch vehicle which is currently used in the Artemis program and subsequent Moon to Mars campaigns. The pad had also been leased by NASA to aerospace company Northrop Grumman, for use as a launch site for their Shuttle-derived OmegA launch vehicle, for National Security Space Launch flights and commercial launches, before the OmegA program was cancelled.
In 1961, President Kennedy proposed to Congress the goal of landing a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Congressional approval led to the launch of the Apollo program, which required a massive expansion of NASA operations, including an expansion of launch operations from the Cape to adjacent Merritt Island to the north and west.[2]
Launch Complex 39B was designed to handle launches of the Saturn V rocket, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle, which would propel Apollo spacecraft to the Moon. Launch Complex 39B's inaugural launch in May 1969 was also that of the only Saturn V to launch from the pad; SA-505, used to launch the Apollo 10 mission.
After the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, Pad 39B was used for Saturn IB launches. The Mobile Launchers were then modified for the Saturn IB rocket, by adding a "milk-stool" extension platform to the launch pedestal, so that the S-IVB upper stage and Apollo spacecraft swing arms would reach their targets. These were used for three crewed Skylab flights and the Apollo–Soyuz, since the Saturn IB pads 34 and 37 at Cape Canaveral had been decommissioned.[3][4]
With the advent of the Space Shuttle program in the early 1980s, the original structure of the launch pads were remodeled for the needs of the Space Shuttle. Pad 39A hosted all Space Shuttle launches until January 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger would become the first to launch from pad 39B during the ill-fated STS-51-L mission, which ended with the destruction of Challenger and the death of the mission's crew a minute into the flight.
Launch Complex 39B hosted 53 Space Shuttle launches until December 2006, when Discovery launched from the pad for the final time during the STS-116 mission. The program's remaining flights launched from pad 39A. To support the final Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope STS-125 launched from pad 39A in May 2009, Endeavour was placed on 39B if needed to launch the STS-400 rescue mission.
Launch Complex 39B would subsequently be reconfigured for crewed Ares I launches as part of the Constellation program; the Ares I-X mission launched a prototype Ares I from 39B in October 2009, prior to the program's cancellation the following year.
On November 16, 2022, at 06:47:44 UTC, the Space Launch System (SLS) was launched from Complex 39B as part of the Artemis 1 mission.[5][6]
After the Ares I-X test flight in 2009, NASA removed the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) from Pad 39B, returning the location to an Apollo-like "clean pad" design for the first time since 1977. This approach is intended to make the pad available to multiple types of vehicles that will arrive at the pad with service structures on the mobile launcher platform, as opposed to using fixed structures on the pad.[7] The LH2, LOX, and water tanks used for the sound suppression system are the only structures left from the Space Shuttle era.[8][9][10]
In 2014, NASA announced that it would make LC-39B available to commercial users during times when it is not needed by the Space Launch System.[11] NASA subsequently agreed to allow Orbital ATK to use LC-39B for their OmegA launch vehicle.[12] However Northrop Grumman, who absorbed Orbital ATK in June 2018,[13] cancelled the development of OmegA in September 2020 before any launches had taken place; SLS will therefore remain the only user of LC-39B for the foreseeable future.[14][15]
As of November 2022[update], LC-39B manages the Space Launch System (SLS)'s processing and launch operations, as part of the first phase of a five-phase project, were being completed. The second phase of this project is currently budgeted for $89.2 million.[16][17][6]
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| Launch sites |
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NASA programs
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| Policy and history |
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| Individual featured missions (human and robotic) |
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| Communications and navigation |
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| NASA lists |
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| NASA images and artwork |
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| Related |
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