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{{Infobox launch pad |
{{Infobox launch pad |
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| name = Launch Complex 48 |
| name = Launch Complex 48 |
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| image = LC-48 EIS Image-- |
| image = LC-48 EIS Image--022.jpg |
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| caption = A |
| caption = A composite imageof two-pad Launch Complex 48 |
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| location = [[Kennedy Space Center]] |
| location = [[Kennedy Space Center]] |
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| short = LC-48 |
| short = LC-48 |
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'''Launch Complex 48''' ('''LC-48''') is a multi-user launch site for small launchers and spacecraft. It is located south of [[Launch Complex 39A]] and north of [[Space Launch Complex 41]].<ref name="Kelly_FloridaToday_SLC-48">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Emre |title=Meet Launch Complex 48, NASA's new small rocket pad at Kennedy Space Center |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/06/14/meet-launch-complex-48-nasa-new-pad-kennedy-space-center-florida/1408175001/ |website=Florida Today |accessdate=7 January 2020 |language=en |date=14 June 2019}}</ref> LC-48 is designed as a "clean pad" to support multiple launch systems with differing propellant needs. While initially only planned to have a single pad, the complex is capable of being expanded to two at a later date.{{sfn|''Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch Complex 48'',|2019|pp=ii-iii|loc=Proposed Action}} With another pad constructed, LC-48 could support up to 104 launches per year, though actual usage is expected to be well below that.<ref name="Kelly_FloridaToday_SLC-48" /> The construction of LC-48 is completed on December 2020.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-12-23|title=NASA opens new launchpad at Kennedy Space Center meant to serve multiple commercial launch customers – TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/22/nasa-opens-new-launchpad-at-kennedy-space-center-meant-to-serve-multiple-commercial-launch-customers/}}</ref> |
'''Launch Complex 48''' ('''LC-48''') is a multi-user launch site for small launchers and spacecraft. It is located south of [[Launch Complex 39A]] and north of [[Space Launch Complex 41]].<ref name="Kelly_FloridaToday_SLC-48">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Emre |title=Meet Launch Complex 48, NASA's new small rocket pad at Kennedy Space Center |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/06/14/meet-launch-complex-48-nasa-new-pad-kennedy-space-center-florida/1408175001/ |website=Florida Today |accessdate=7 January 2020 |language=en |date=14 June 2019}}</ref> LC-48 is designed as a "clean pad" to support multiple launch systems with differing propellant needs. While initially only planned to have a single pad, the complex is capable of being expanded to two at a later date.{{sfn|''Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch Complex 48'',|2019|pp=ii-iii|loc=Proposed Action}} With another pad constructed, LC-48 could support up to 104 launches per year, though actual usage is expected to be well below that.<ref name="Kelly_FloridaToday_SLC-48" /> The construction of LC-48 is completed on December 2020.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2020-12-23|title=NASA opens new launchpad at Kennedy Space Center meant to serve multiple commercial launch customers – TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/22/nasa-opens-new-launchpad-at-kennedy-space-center-meant-to-serve-multiple-commercial-launch-customers/}}</ref> |
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NASA had previously constructed [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39#Launch Complex 39C|LC-39C]] within the bounds of [[Kennedy Space Center |
NASA had previously constructed [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39#Launch Complex 39C|LC-39C]] within the bounds of [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B|LC-39B]] with the purpose of serving small launchers, but the operational constraints of sharing the site on a non-interference basis with both the [[Space Launch System]] and [[OmegA]] launch vehicles, along with greater interest by commercial parties than originally anticipated, led NASA to pursue the construction of a dedicated launch site for this class of vehicles.{{sfn|''Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch Complex 48'',|2019|p=4}} |
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==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
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File:LC-48 EIS Image--001.jpg|The location of the Launch Complex 48 site |
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File:LC-48 EIS Image--003.jpg|A render of the two-pad LC-48 |
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File:LC-48 EIS Image--021.jpg|A composite photo of a two-pad LC-48 |
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File:LC-48 EIS Image--022.jpg|Ditto |
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File:LC-48 EIS Image--019.jpg|A render of [[Boeing]]'s [[XS-1 (spacecraft)#Boeing XS-1 Phantom_Express|XS-1 Phantom Express]] launch vehicle on LC-48 |
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File:LC-48 EIS Image--020.jpg|From another angle |
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</gallery> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[ |
* [[Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1]] |
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* [[List of Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island launch sites]] |
* [[List of Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island launch sites]] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Kennedy Space Center launch sites]] |
[[Category:Kennedy Space Center launch sites]] |
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A composite image of two-pad Launch Complex 48
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| Location | Kennedy Space Center |
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| Short name | LC-48 |
| Operator | NASA Exploration Ground Systems |
Launch Complex 48 (LC-48) is a multi-user launch site for small launchers and spacecraft. It is located south of Launch Complex 39A and north of Space Launch Complex 41.[1] LC-48 is designed as a "clean pad" to support multiple launch systems with differing propellant needs. While initially only planned to have a single pad, the complex is capable of being expanded to two at a later date.[2] With another pad constructed, LC-48 could support up to 104 launches per year, though actual usage is expected to be well below that.[1] The construction of LC-48 is completed on December 2020.[3]
NASA had previously constructed LC-39C within the bounds of LC-39B with the purpose of serving small launchers, but the operational constraints of sharing the site on a non-interference basis with both the Space Launch System and OmegA launch vehicles, along with greater interest by commercial parties than originally anticipated, led NASA to pursue the construction of a dedicated launch site for this class of vehicles.[4]
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