.jpg) LC-39A (foreground) and LC-39B (background) on April 6, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Interactive map of Launch Complex 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Kennedy Space Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Coordinates | 28°36′30.2″N80°36′15.6″W / 28.608389°N 80.604333°W /28.608389; -80.604333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
• Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short name | LC-39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Established | 1962; 63 years ago (1962) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total launches | 276 (13 Saturn V, 4 Saturn IB, 135 Shuttle, 1 Ares I, 111 Falcon 9, 11 Falcon Heavy, 1 Space Launch System) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch pad | 6 (2 are Falcon landing zones) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orbital inclination range | 28°–62° | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Launch Complex 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Location | John F. Kennedy Space Center,Titusville, Florida | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Area | 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Built | 1967 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MPS | John F. Kennedy Space Center MPS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NRHP reference No. | 73000568[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 1973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Launch Complex 39 (LC-39) is arocket launch site at theJohn F. Kennedy Space Center onMerritt Island inFlorida, United States. The site and its collection of facilities were originally built as theApollo program's "Moonport"[2] and later modified for theSpace Shuttle program.Launch Complex 39 consists of three launch sub-complexes or "pads"—39A,39B, and 39C—aVehicle Assembly Building (VAB), aCrawlerway used bycrawler-transporters to carrymobile launcher platforms between the VAB and the pads,Orbiter Processing Facility buildings, aLaunch Control Center which contains the firing rooms, anews facility famous for the iconic countdown clock seen in television coverage and photos, and various logistical and operational support buildings.[3]
SpaceX leases Launch Complex 39A from NASA and has modified the pad to supportFalcon 9 andFalcon Heavy launches.[4][5]NASA began modifying Launch Complex 39B in 2007 to accommodate the now defunctConstellation program, and is currently prepared for theArtemis program,[6][7] which was first launched in November 2022.[8] A pad to be designated 39C, which would have been a copy of pads 39A and 39B, was originally planned for Apollo but never built. A smaller pad, also designated 39C, was constructed from January to June 2015, to accommodatesmall-lift launch vehicles.[9]
NASA launches from pads 39A and 39B have been supervised from the NASALaunch Control Center (LCC), located 3 miles (4.8 km) from the launch pads. LC-39 is one of several launch sites that share the radar and tracking services of theEastern Test Range.
Northern Merritt Island was first developed around 1890 when a few wealthy Harvard University graduates purchased 18,000 acres (73 km2) and constructed a three-story mahogany clubhouse, very nearly on the site of Pad 39A.[10] During the 1920s, Peter E. Studebaker Jr., son ofthe automobile magnate, built a small casino at De Soto Beach eight miles (13 km) north of the Canaveral lighthouse.[11]
In 1948, the Navy transferred the former Banana River Naval Air Station, located south ofCape Canaveral, to the Air Force for use in testing captured German V-2 rockets.[12] The site's location on the East Florida coast was ideal for this purpose, in that launches would be over the ocean, away from populated areas. This site became the Joint Long Range Proving Ground in 1949 and was renamed Patrick Air Force Base in 1950 and Patrick Space Force Base in 2020. The Air Force annexed part of Cape Canaveral, to the north, in 1951, forming the Air Force Missile Test Center, the futureCape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). Missile and rocketry testing and development would take place here through the 1950s.[13] Later on, an "Orbital Launch Platform" for Starship with plans to accommodate twolanding zones forFalcon 9 andFalcon Heavy rockets to conduct to "Return-to-launch-site" landings.[14][15][16]
After thecreation of NASA in 1958, the CCAFS launch pads were used for NASA's civilian uncrewed and crewed launches, including those ofProject Mercury andProject Gemini.[17]
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 theApollo 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.[18] NASA began acquisition of land in 1962, taking title to 131 square miles (340 km2) by outright purchase and negotiating with the state of Florida for an additional 87 square miles (230 km2). On July 1, 1962, the site was named theLaunch Operations Center.[19]
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The need for a new launch complex was first considered in 1961. At the time, the highest-numbered launch pad at CCAFS was Launch Complex 37. A proposed Launch Complex 38 had been set aside for the future expansion of theAtlas-Centaur program, but ultimately never built.[20] The new complex was thus designated Launch Complex 39.
The method of reaching the Moon had not yet been decided. The two leading alternatives weredirect ascent, which launched a single huge rocket; andEarth orbit rendezvous, where two or more launches of smaller rockets would place several parts of the lunar departure spacecraft which would be assembled in orbit. The former would require a hugeNova-class launcher and pads, while the latter would require several rockets to be launched in quick succession. Furthermore, the selection of the actual rockets was still ongoing; NASA was proposing the Nova design while their newly-acquired former Army group in Huntsville Alabama had proposed a series of slightly smaller designs known as Saturn.[21]
This complicated the design of the launch complex, as it had to encompass two very different possibilities and rockets. Accordingly, early designs from 1961 show two sets of launch pads. The first was a series of three pads for Saturn alongPlayalinda Beach, with the southernmost near the current Eddy Creek Boat Launch, and the northernmost around Klondike Beach. Far to the south was a similar set of three pads for Nova, the southernmost just south of theAstronaut Beach House and the northern roughly at the location of the current Pad A.[21]
The final selection oflunar orbit rendezvous and theSaturn V led to numerous changes. The Nova pads disappeared, and the three Saturn pads were moved southward. The southernmost was now at the current location of Pad A, while the northernmost was located between Patrol Road, the current boundary road for the LC39 site, and Playlandia Beach Road on the north. At the time, the original three were named from north to south: Pad A through Pad C.[22] The pads were evenly spaced 8,700 feet (2,700 m) apart to avoid damage in the event of an explosion on a pad.
In March 1963, plans were formalized to build only two of the three pads; the northernmost, furthest from the VAB, would not be built but reserved for future expansion. As the original Pad A would no longer be built, the naming was changed to run south-to-north, so that the two pads that would be built would be A and B. If the original 39A at the north end were ever built, it would now be known as 39C.
Some consideration for C's construction was made: theCrawlerway initially splits off from A toward B running north-northwest, and then bends north toward B a short distance north at Cochran Cove. Continuing straight north-northeast would have led to C after a similar northward bend. The original construction of the Crawlerway included an interchange between B and a short part of the extension northward for C, which remains intact as of 2022[update], and the traffic-light warning system for the Crawlerway has lights for Pad C.
The plans still set aside room for the remaining two pads, now known as D and E. Pad D would have been built due west of Pad C, some distance inland along Patrol Road. Access to D would have branched off westward from the crawlerway at the point where C's crawlerway turned north. Pad E would have continued the line of pads along the coast, north of C nearPlayalinda Beach, close to the original location of the southernmost pad in the original layout. No diagram of the access to E can be found. Had all of them been built, C, D and E would have formed a triangle.[23]
Months before a launch, the three stages of theSaturn V launch vehicle and the components of theApollo spacecraft were brought inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and assembled, in one of four bays, into a 363-foot (111 m)-tall space vehicle on one of threeMobile Launchers (ML). Each Mobile Launcher consisted of a two-story, 161-by-135-foot (49 by 41 m) launcher platform with four hold-down arms and a 446-foot (136 m)Launch Umbilical Tower (LUT) topped by a crane used to lift the spacecraft elements into position for assembly. The ML and unfueled vehicle together weighed 12,600,000 pounds (5,715 t).[24]
The umbilical tower contained two elevators and nine retractable swing arms that were extended to the space vehicle—to provide access to each of the three rocket stages and the spacecraft for people, wiring, and plumbing—while the vehicle was on the launch pad and were swung away from the vehicle at launch.[24][25] Technicians, engineers, and astronauts used the uppermost Spacecraft Access Arm to access the crew cabin. At the end of the arm, thewhite room provided an environmentally controlled and protected area for astronauts and their equipment before entering the spacecraft.[26]
Early diagrams of the proposed layout also included the Nuclear Assembly Building, NAB, northeast of the VAB. These would be used to prepare thenuclear rocket engines being developed under theNERVA program, before moving them to the VAB for assembly into a rocket stack. This program was cancelled and the NAB was not built.[27]
When the stack integration was completed, the Mobile Launcher was moved atop one of twocrawler-transporters, or Missile Crawler Transporter Facilities, 3–4 miles (4.8–6.4 km) to its pad at a speed of 1 mile per hour (1.6 km/h). Each crawler weighed 6,000,000 pounds (2,720 t) and was capable of keeping the space vehicle and its launcher platform level while negotiating the 5 percent grade to the pad. At the pad, the ML was placed on six steel pedestals, plus four additional extensible columns.[24]
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After the ML was set in place, the crawler-transporter rolled a 410-foot (125 m), 10,490,000-pound (4,760 t) Mobile Service Structure (MSS) into place to provide further access for technicians to perform a detailed checkout of the vehicle, and to provide necessary umbilical connections to the pad. The MSS contained three elevators, two self-propelled platforms, and three fixed platforms. It was rolled back 6,900 feet (2,100 m) to a parking position shortly before launch.[24]
While the ML was sat on its launch pedestals, one of twoflame deflectors was slid on rails into place under it. Having two deflectors allowed for one to be used while the other was being refurbished after a previous launch. Each deflector measured 39 feet (12 m) high by 49 feet (15 m) wide by 75 feet (23 m) long, and weighed 1,400,000 pounds (635 t). During a launch, it deflected the launch vehicle's rocket exhaust flame into a trench measuring 43 feet (13 m) deep by 59 feet (18 m) wide by 449 feet (137 m) long.[24]
The four-storyLaunch Control Center (LCC) was located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away from Pad A, adjacent to the Vehicle Assembly Building, for safety. The third floor had four firing rooms (corresponding to the four bays in the VAB), each with 470 sets of control and monitoring equipment.[clarification needed] The second floor contained telemetry, tracking, instrumentation, and data reduction computing equipment. The LCC was connected to the Mobile Launcher Platforms by a high-speed data link; and during launch a system of 62 closed-circuit television cameras transmitted to 100 monitor screens in the LCC.[24]
Large cryogenic tanks located near the pads stored the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (LOX) for the second and third stages of the Saturn V. The highly explosive nature of these chemicals required numerous safety measures at the launch complex. The pads were located 8,730 feet (2,660 m) away from each other.[24] Before tanking operations began and during launch, non-essential personnel were excluded from the danger area.
Each pad had a 200-foot (61 m) evacuation tube running from the Mobile Launcher platform to a blast-resistant bunker 39 feet (12 m) underground, nicknamedRubber room, equipped with survival supplies for 20 persons for 24 hours and reachable through a high-speed elevator.[28]
A further Emergency Egress System was installed to allow fast escape of crew or technicians from pad in case of imminent catastrophic failure of the rocket.[29] The system included seven baskets suspended from seven slidewires that extended from the fixed service structure to a landing zone 370 meters (1,200 ft) to the west. Each basket could hold up to three people, which slid down the wire reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph), eventually reaching a gentle stop by means of a braking system catch net and drag chain which slowed and then halted the baskets.
The system was dismantled in 2012, as seen inthis video.
Connections between theLaunch Control Center,Mobile Launcher Platform, and space vehicle were made in the Pad Terminal Connection Room (PTCR), which was a two-story series of rooms located beneath the launch pad on the west side of the flame trench. The "room" was constructed of reinforced concrete and protected by up to 20 feet (6.1 m) of fill dirt.[30][31]
The first launch from Launch Complex 39 came in 1967 with the first Saturn V launch, which carried the uncrewedApollo 4 spacecraft. The second uncrewed launch,Apollo 6, also used Pad 39A. With the exception ofApollo 10, which used Pad 39B (due to the "all-up" testing resulting in a 2-month turnaround period), all crewed Apollo-Saturn V launches, commencing withApollo 8, used Pad 39A.
A total of thirteen Saturn Vs were launched for Apollo, including the uncrewed launch of theSkylab space station in 1973. The mobile launchers were then modified for the shorterSaturn IB rockets, by adding a "milk-stool" extension platform to the launch pedestal, so that theS-IVB upper stage and Apollo spacecraft swing arms would reach their targets. These were used for three crewed Skylab flights and theApollo–Soyuz Test Project, since the Saturn IB pads 34 and 37 at Cape Canaveral SFS had been decommissioned.[32][33]
The thrust to allow the Space Shuttle to achieve orbit was provided by a combination of theSolid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and theRS-25 engines. The SRBs used solid propellant, hence their name. The RS-25 engines used a combination ofliquid hydrogen andliquid oxygen (LOX) from theexternal tank (ET), as the orbiter did not have room for internal fuel tanks. The SRBs arrived in segments via rail car from their manufacturing facility inUtah, the external tank arrived from its manufacturing facility inLouisiana by barge, and the orbiter waited in theOrbiter Processing Facility (OPF). The SRBs were first stacked in the VAB, then the External tank was mounted between them, and then, with the help of a massive crane, the orbiter was lowered and connected to the External tank.
The payload to be installed at the launch pad was independently transported in a payload transportation canister and then installed vertically at the Payload Changeout Room. Otherwise, payloads would have already been pre-installed at the Orbiter Processing Facility and transported within the orbiter's cargo bay.
The original structure of the pads was remodeled for the needs of the Space Shuttle, starting with Pad 39A after the last Saturn V launch, and, in 1977, that of Pad 39B after theApollo–Soyuz in 1975. The first usage of the pad for the Space Shuttle came in 1979, whenEnterprise was used to check the facilities prior to the first operational launch.
Each pad contained a two-piece access tower system, the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) and the Rotating Service Structure (RSS). The FSS permitted access to the Shuttle via a retractable arm and a "beanie cap" to capture vented LOX from the external tank.
A Sound Suppression Water System (SSWS) was added to protect the Space Shuttle and its payload from effects of the intense sound wave pressure generated by its engines. An elevated water tank on a 290-foot (88 m) tower near each pad stored 300,000 U.S. gallons (1,100,000 liters) of water, which was released onto the mobile launcher platform just before engine ignition.[34] The water muffled the intense sound waves produced by the engines. Due to heating of the water, a large quantity of steam and water vapor was produced during launch.
The Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm positioned a hood, often called the "Beanie Cap", over the top of the external tank (ET) nose cone during fueling.[when?] Heated gaseous nitrogen was used there to remove the extremely cold gaseous oxygen that normally vented out of the external tank. This prevented the formation of ice that could fall and damage the shuttle.[35]
The Hydrogen Vent Line Access Arm mated the External Tank'sGround Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) to the launch pad hydrogen vent line. The GUCP provided support for plumbing and cables, called umbilicals, that transferred fluids, gases, and electrical signals between two pieces of equipment. While the External Tank was being fueled, hazardous gas was vented from an internal hydrogen tank, through the GUCP, and out a vent line to a flare stack where it was burned off at a safe distance. Sensors at the GUCP measured gas level. The GUCP was redesigned after leaks created scrubs ofSTS-127 and were also detected during attempts to launchSTS-119 andSTS-133.[36] The GUCP released from the ET at launch and fell away with a curtain of water sprayed across it for protection from flames.
The launch complex was equipped with a slidewire escape basket system for quick evacuation. Assisted by members of the closeout team, the crew would leave the orbiter and ride an emergency basket to the ground at speeds reaching up to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h).[37] From there, the crew took shelter in a bunker.
The pad fire station operated a fleet of four modifiedM113A2 Firefighting Vehicles, a variant of theM113 APC. Painted in a neon green rescue livery, these vehicles provided viable transportation to rescue personnel and firefighters should they need to approach the pad during a launch emergency. They could also be used to safely evacuate astronauts and crew from the vicinity of the pad. During launches, two manned APCs would be stationed less than a mile from the launch pad (holding firefighters at-the-ready), one unmanned would be stationed on the pad (for extra evacuation capacity), and the fourth provided a backup at the fire station.[38][39]
During the launch of Discovery onSTS-124 on May 31, 2008, the pad at LC-39A suffered extensive damage, in particular to the concrete trench used to deflect the SRB's flames.[40] The subsequent investigation found that the damage was the result of carbonation of epoxy and corrosion of steel anchors that held therefractory bricks in the trench in place. The damage had been exacerbated by the fact thathydrochloric acid is an exhaust by-product of the solid rocket boosters.[41]
After the launch ofSkylab in 1973, Pad 39A was reconfigured for the Space Shuttle, with shuttle launches beginning withSTS-1 in 1981, flown by theSpace Shuttle Columbia.[42] After Apollo 10, Pad 39B was kept as a backup launch facility in the case of the destruction of 39A, but saw active service during all three Skylab missions, the Apollo–Soyuz test flight, and a contingency Skylab Rescue flight that never became necessary. After the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, 39B was reconfigured similarly to 39A; but due to additional modifications (mainly to allow the facility to service a modifiedCentaur-G upper stage), along with budgetary restraints, it was not ready until 1986. The first shuttle flight to use it wasSTS-51-L, which ended with theChallenger disaster, after which the first return-to-flight mission,STS-26, was launched from 39B.
Just as for the first 24 shuttle flights, LC-39A supported the final shuttle flights, starting withSTS-117 in June 2007 and ending with theretirement of the Shuttle fleet in July 2011. Prior to the SpaceX lease agreement, the pad remained as it was whenAtlantis launched on the final shuttle mission on July 8, 2011, complete with amobile launcher platform.
With theretirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011,[43]and the cancellation ofConstellation Program in 2010, the future of the Launch Complex 39 pads was uncertain.By early 2011, NASA began informal discussions on use of the pads and facilities byprivate companies to fly missions for the commercial space market,[44] culminating in a 20-year lease agreement with SpaceX for Pad 39A.[45]
Talks for use of the pad were underway between NASA andSpace Florida—theState of Florida'seconomic development agency—as early as 2011, but no deal materialized by 2012, and NASA then pursued other options for removing the pad from the federal government inventory.[46]
The Constellation program planned to use LC-39A for uncrewed Ares V launches and LC-39B for crewed Ares I launches. In preparation for this, NASA began modifying LC-39B to support Ares I launches with 39A planned to be modified in the mid 2010s for Ares V launches. Prior to Ares I-X, the last Shuttle launch from pad 39B was the nighttime launch ofSTS-116 on December 9, 2006. To support the final Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space TelescopeSTS-125 launched from pad 39A in May 2009,Endeavour was placed on 39B if needed to launch theSTS-400 rescue mission.
After the completion ofSTS-125, 39B was converted to launch the single test flight of theConstellation ProgramAres I-X on October 28, 2009.[47] Pad 39B was then planned to have the FSS and RSS removed in preparation for Ares I. However, in 2010, the Constellation program was cancelled.
 | This article or sectionmay need to be cleaned up or summarized. It has been split from/toKennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A#SpaceX. |
By early 2013, NASA publicly announced that it would allow commercial launch providers to lease LC-39A,[48] and followed that, in May 2013, with a formal solicitation for proposals forcommercial use of the pad.[49]There were two competing bids for the commercial use of the launch complex.[50]SpaceX submitted a bid for exclusive use of the launch complex, whileJeff Bezos'Blue Origin submitted a bid for shared non-exclusive use of the complex, so that the launchpad would handle multiple vehicles, and costs could be shared over the long-term. One potential shared user in the Blue Origin plan wasUnited Launch Alliance.[51] Prior to the end of the bid period, and prior to any public announcement by NASA of the results of the process, Blue Origin filed a protest with theU.S.General Accounting Office (GAO) "over what it says is a plan by NASA to award an exclusive commercial lease to SpaceX for use of mothballed space shuttle launch pad 39A."[52] NASA had planned to complete the bid award and have the pad transferred by October 1, 2013, but the protest "will delay any decision until the GAO reaches a decision, expected by mid-December."[52] On December 12, 2013, the GAO denied the protest and sided with NASA, which argued that the solicitation contained no preference on the use of the facility as multi-use or single-use. "The [solicitation] document merely asks bidders to explain their reasons for selecting one approach instead of the other and how they would manage the facility."[53]
On April 14, 2014, the privately owned launch service providerSpaceX signed a 20-year lease for Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A).[54] The pad was modified to support launches of bothFalcon 9 andFalcon Heavy launch vehicles, modifications that included the construction of a largeHorizontal Integration Facility (HIF) similar to that used at existing SpaceX-leased facilities atCape Canaveral Space Force Station andVandenberg Air Force Base, horizontal integration being markedly difference from thevertical integration process used to assemble NASA's Apollo and Space Shuttle vehicles at the launch complex. Additionally, new instrumentation and control systems were installed, and substantial new plumbing was added for a variety of rocket liquids and gases.[55][56]
In 2015, SpaceX built the Horizontal Integration Facility just outside the perimeter of the existing launch pad in order to house both the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy rockets, and their associated hardware and payloads, during preparation for flight.[57] Both types of launch vehicles will be transported from the HIF to the launch pad aboard aTransporter Erector (TE) which will ride on rails up the former crawlerway path.[46][57] Also in 2015, the launch mount for the Falcon Heavy was constructed on Pad 39A over the existing infrastructure.[58][59] The work on both the HIF building and the pad was substantially complete by late 2015.[60] A rollout test of the new Transporter Erector was conducted in November 2015.[61]
In February 2016, SpaceX indicated that they had "completed and activated Launch Complex 39A",[62] but still had more work yet to do to support crewed flights. SpaceX originally planned to be ready to accomplish the first launch at pad 39A—of a Falcon Heavy—as early as 2015,[55] as they had had architects and engineers working on the new design and modifications since 2013.[63][58] By late 2014, a preliminary date for awet dress rehearsal of the Falcon Heavy was set for no earlier than July 1, 2015.[46] Due to a failure in a June 2015 Falcon 9 launch, SpaceX had to delay launching the Falcon Heavy in order to focus on the Falcon 9's failure investigation and its return to flight.[64] In early 2016, considering the busy Falcon 9 launch manifest, it became unclear if the Falcon Heavy would be the first vehicle to launch from Pad 39A, or if one or more Falcon 9 missions would precede a Falcon Heavy launch.[62] In the following months, the Falcon Heavy launch was delayed multiple times and eventually pushed back to February 2018.[65]
In 2018, SpaceX made further modifications to LC 39A to prepare it to accommodate it for the crew Dragon 2 mission. These modifications included installing a new crew access arm,[66] refurbishing the emergency egress slidewire system, and raising it up to the level of the new arm. The LC 39A fixed service structure was also repainted during this work.
In 2019, SpaceX began substantial modification to LC 39A in order to begin work on phase 1 of the construction to prepare the facility to launchprototypes of the large 9 m (30 ft)-diametermethalox reusable rocket—Starship—from a launch stand, which would fly from 39A on suborbital test flight trajectories with six or fewerRaptor engines. However, these plans were later cancelled.
In 2021, SpaceX began construction of an orbital launch pad for Starship at 39A.[67] As of early 2023, the new launch pad is still undergoing construction and will accommodate launch operations for the fully stackedStarship rocket. Starship will lift off under the power of 33Raptor engines, with each engine producing 500,000 lbf of force each, or 16,500,000 lbf for the whole vehicle.[68]
Later on, an "Orbital Launch Platform" for Starship with plans to accommodate twolanding zones forFalcon 9 andFalcon Heavy rockets to conduct to "Return-to-launch-site" landings.[69][70][71]
The first SpaceX launch from pad 39A wasSpaceX CRS-10 on February 19, 2017, using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle; it was the company's 10th cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station,[72] and the first uncrewed launch from 39A since Skylab.
WhileCape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) was undergoing reconstruction after the loss of theAMOS-6 satellite on September 1, 2016, all SpaceX's east coast launches were from Pad 39A until SLC-40 became operational again in December 2017. These included the May 1, 2017, launch ofNROL-76, the first SpaceX mission for theNational Reconnaissance Office, with a classified payload.[73]
On February 6, 2018, Pad 39A hosted the successful liftoff of the Falcon Heavy on itsmaiden launch, carryingElon Musk'sTesla Roadster car to space;[74] and the first flight of the human-rated spacecraftCrew Dragon (Dragon 2) took place there on March 2, 2019.
The second Falcon Heavy flight, carrying theArabsat-6A communications satellite for Arabsat of Saudi Arabia, successfully launched on April 11, 2019. The satellite is to provideKu band andKa band communication services for the Middle East and northern Africa, as well as for South Africa. The launch was notable as it marked the first time that SpaceX was able to successfully soft-land all three of thereusable booster stages, which will be refurbished for future launches.[75]
TheSpaceX Demo-2 − the first crewed test flight of theCrew Dragon "Endeavour" spacecraft, with astronautsBob Behnken andDoug Hurley on board launched from Complex 39A on May 30, 2020 and docked toPressurized Mating Adapter 2 on theHarmony module of theISS on May 31, 2020.[76][77]
On November 16, 2022, at 06:47:44 UTC theSpace Launch System (SLS) was launched from Complex 39B as part of theArtemis I mission.[78][79]
SpaceX has launchedtheir launch vehicles from Launch Complex 39A and built a new hangar nearby.[50][45][80]
SpaceX assembles its launch vehicles horizontally in a hangar near the pad, and transports them horizontally to the pad before erecting the vehicle to vertical for the launch.[63] Formilitary missions from Pad 39A,payloads will be vertically integrated, as that is required per launch contract with the U.S. Space Force.[63]
Pad 39A is used to host launches of astronauts on theCrew Dragon capsule in apublic–private partnership with NASA. In August 2018, SpaceX's Crew Access Arm (CAA) was installed on a new level, which was built at the necessary height to enter the Crew Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket.[81]
In April 2024,Elon Musk announced that SpaceX would have a launch tower for theStarship completed and operational by mid 2025.[82] Later on, SpaceX presented plans to accommodate twolanding zones forFalcon 9 andFalcon Heavy rockets to conduct to "Return-to-launch-site" landings.[83][84][85]
Since the Artemis I in 2022, Launch Complex 39B is used by NASA'sSpace Launch System rocket, aShuttle-derived launch vehicle which is used in theArtemis program and subsequent Moon to Mars campaigns. The pad has also been leased for use by NASA to aerospace companyNorthrop Grumman, for use as a launch site for their Shuttle-derivedOmegA launch vehicle, forNational Security Space Launch flights and commercial launches, but the plans were cancelled.
Launch Complex 39C is a new facility forsmall-lift launch vehicles. It was built in 2015 within the Launch Complex 39B perimeter. It was to serve as a multi-purpose site that allowed companies to test the vehicles and capabilities of the smaller class of rockets, making it more affordable for smaller companies to break into the commercial spaceflight market. However, its primary customerRocket Lab opted to launch theirElectron rocket fromWallops Island, instead. Several small-lift launch-vehicle companies also wanted to launch their rockets from a dedicated site atCape Canaveral instead of 39C.[86]
Construction of the pad began in January 2015 and was completed in June 2015.Kennedy Space Center directorRobert D. Cabana and representatives from the Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Program and the Center Planning and Development (CPD) and Engineering directorates marked the completion of the new pad during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 17, 2015. "As America's premier spaceport, we're always looking for new and innovative ways to meet America's launch needs, and one area that was missing was small classpayloads", Cabana said.[9]
The concrete pad measures about 50 feet (15 m) wide by about 100 feet (30 m) long and could support the combined weight of a fueledlaunch vehicle,payload, and customer-provided launch mount up to about 132,000 pounds (60,000 kg), and an umbilical tower structure, fluid lines, cables, and umbilical arms weighing up to about 47,000 pounds (21,000 kg). There is a universal propellant servicing system to provide liquid oxygen andliquid methane fueling capabilities for a variety of small-class rockets.[9]
With the addition of Launch Complex 39C, KSC offered the following processing and launching features for companies working with small-class vehicles (maximum thrust up to 200,000 lbf or 890 kN):[87]
In 2016 a decision was made not to use LC-39C. Because the site was within the perimeter of LC-39B, Artemis use of that pad would make LC-39C unavailable to users.[88]
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2020) |
Previous Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Master Plan recommendations—in 1966, 1972, and 1977—noted that an expansion of KSC's vertical launch capacity could occur when the market demand existed. The 2007 Site Evaluation Study recommended an additional vertical launch pad, Launch Complex 49 (LC-49), to be sited north of existing LC-39B.
As part of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) process, this proposed launch complex was consolidated from two pads (designated in the 1963 plans as 39C and 39D) to one that would provide greater separation from LC-39B. The area was expanded to accommodate a wider variety of launch azimuths, helping to protect against potential overflight concerns of LC-39B. This LC-49 launch facility could accommodate medium to large launch vehicles.[89]
The 2007 Vertical Launch Site Evaluation Study concluded that a vertical launch pad could also be sited to the south of 39A, and to the north of pad 41, to accommodate small to medium launch vehicles. Designated asLaunch Complex 48 (LC-48), this area is best suited to accommodate small to medium class launch vehicles, due to its closer proximity to LC-39A and LC-41. Due to the nature of these activities, requiredquantity-distance arcs, launch hazard impact limit lines, other safety setbacks, and exposure limits will be specified for safe operations.[89] Details of the proposed launch pads were published in the Kennedy Space Center Master Plan in 2012.
The Master Plan also notes a proposed New Vertical Launchpad northwest of LC-39B and a Horizontal Launch Area north of the LC-49 and converting the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) and its apron areas into a second Horizontal Launch Area.[90][89]
Space Florida has proposed that Launch Complex 48 be developed for use by Boeing'sPhantom Express and that three landing pads be built for reusable booster systems, to provide more landing options for SpaceX'sFalcon 9 andFalcon Heavy, Blue Origin'sNew Glenn, and other potential reusable vehicles.[91] The pads would be located east of the Horizontal Launch Area and north of LC-39B[92]
In August 2019, SpaceX submitted an Environmental Assessment forStarship launch system at Kennedy Space Center.[93] This document included plans for the construction of additional structures at LC-39A to support Starship launches, including a dedicated pad, liquid methane tanks, and a Landing Zone.[94] These are separate from the existing structures that support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches.
All flights operated byNASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Serial number | Mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 November 1967 | 12:00 | Saturn V | SA-501 | Apollo 4 | Success | Maiden flight of the Saturn V and first launch from LC-39A. |
| 2 | 4 April 1968 | 12:00 | Saturn V | SA-502 | Apollo 6 | Partial failure | Pogo oscillations caused a failure of twoJ-2s in theS-II and a relight of theS-IVB, severely changing the planned mission trajectory of theApollo CSM. |
| 3 | 21 December 1968 | 12:51 | Saturn V | SA-503 | Apollo 8 | Success | First crewed launch of the Saturn V and first crewed launch from LC-39A. First crewed launch going beyondlow Earth orbit, inserting intoLunar orbit. |
| 4 | 3 March 1969 | 16:00 | Saturn V | SA-504 | Apollo 9 (CSMGumdrop and LMSpider) | Success | First launch of the Saturn V in its full Apollo configuration, flying with anApollo Lunar Module. First American manned flight with acall sign sinceGemini 3'sMolly Brown in 1965. |
| 5 | 16 July 1969 | 13:32 | Saturn V | SA-506 | Apollo 11 (CSMColumbia and LMEagle) | Success | First fully operational Apollo flight. First crewedlanding on theMoon and on another celestial body. |
| 6 | 14 November 1969 | 16:22 | Saturn V | SA-507 | Apollo 12 (CSMYankee Clipper and LMIntrepid) | Success | A lightning strike caused the shutdown of the CSM's computer systems, but was successfully restarted mid-flight. First surface rendezvous on another celestial body, landing next toSurveyor 3. |
| 7 | 11 April 1970 | 19:13 | Saturn V | SA-508 | Apollo 13 (CSMOdyssey and LMAquarius) | Partial failure | Launch was a success, but mission had to be aborted following a failure in the CSM's service module during the lunar transfer phase. |
| 8 | 31 January 1971 | 21:03 | Saturn V | SA-509 | Apollo 14 (CSMKitty Hawk and LMAntares) | Success | |
| 9 | 26 July 1971 | 13:34 | Saturn V | SA-510 | Apollo 15 (CSMEndeavour and LMFalcon) | Success | First flight of the extended Apollo missions, notably carrying theLunar Roving Vehicle. |
| 10 | 16 April 1972 | 17:54 | Saturn V | SA-511 | Apollo 16 (CSMCasper and LMOrion) | Success | Second flight of the extended Apollo missions. |
| 11 | 7 December 1972 | 05:33 | Saturn V | SA-512 | Apollo 17 (CSMAmerica and LMChallenger) | Success | Last crewed launch of the Saturn V, and last of the extended Apollo missions. Most recent crewed flight to the Moon. |
| 12 | 14 May 1973 | 17:30 | Saturn V | SA-513 | Skylab | Success | Last flight of the Saturn V. The S-IVB was replaced with the space station module, while the S-II was modified to make orbit. Payload was extensively damaged during ascent, leading to the loss of the station's micrometeoroid shield and a solar panel. |
All flights operated byNASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Shuttle | Mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 12 April 1981 | 12:00 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-1 | Success | Maiden flight of theSpace Shuttle program, and maiden flight of Space ShuttleColumbia. First Space Shuttle orbital test. First shuttle landing atEdwards. |
| 14 | 12 November 1981 | 15:10 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-2 | Success | Second orbital test. |
| 15 | 22 March 1982 | 16:00 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-3 | Success | Third orbital test. Only shuttle landing atWhite Sands. |
| 16 | 27 June 1982 | 15:00 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-4 | Success | Fourth and final Space Shuttle orbital test. First flight for theDepartment of Defense. |
| 17 | 11 November 1982 | 12:19 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-5 | Success | |
| 18 | 4 April 1983 | 18:30 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-6 | Success | Maiden flight of Space ShuttleChallenger. Launch and deployment ofTDRS-1 (as TDRS-A). First launch for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. |
| 19 | 18 June 1983 | 11:33 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-7 | Success | First crewed American flight with a female astronaut,Sally Ride. |
| 20 | 30 August 1983 | 06:32 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-8 | Success | First night launch and night landing of a Shuttle. First crewed flight with an African-American astronaut,Guion Bluford. |
| 21 | 28 November 1983 | 16:00 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-9 | Success | First mission usingSpacelab. |
| 22 | 3 February 1984 | 13:00 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-41-B | Success | First shuttle landing at theShuttle Landing Facility. |
| 23 | 6 April 1984 | 13:58 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-41-C | Success | Repair mission for theSolar Maximum Mission satellite launched in 1980. Also deployed theLong Duration Exposure Facility, aiming to study long-term data placed in an outer space environment. |
| 24 | 30 August 1984 | 12:41 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-41-D | Success | Maiden flight of Space ShuttleDiscovery. |
| 25 | 5 October 1984 | 11:03 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-41-G | Success | Deployment ofEarth Radiation Budget Satellite, aiming to studyEarth's energy budget. |
| 26 | 8 November 1984 | 12:15 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-51-A | Success | |
| 27 | 24 January 1985 | 19:50 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-51-C | Success | DoD mission. Deployment ofMagnum satellite, also known as USA-8. |
| 28 | 12 April 1985 | 13:59 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-51-D | Success | |
| 29 | 29 April 1985 | 16:02 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-51-B | Success | |
| 30 | 17 June 1985 | 11:33 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-51-G | Success | |
| 31 | 29 July 1985 | 22:00 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-51-F | Success | Mission was ultimately a success, but a faulty temperature reading caused an early shutdown of one of theRS-25s, forcing anabort to orbit. Insertion was thus much lower than planned altitude. |
| 32 | 27 August 1985 | 10:58 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-51-I | Success | |
| 33 | 3 October 1985 | 15:15 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-51-J | Success | Maiden flight of Space ShuttleAtlantis. DoD mission. Deployment of twoDefense Satellite Communications System satellites, also known as USA-11 and USA-12. |
| 34 | 30 October 1985 | 17:00 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-61-A | Success | Final successful flight of Space ShuttleChallenger. |
| 35 | 27 November 1985 | 00:29 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-61-B | Success | |
| 36 | 12 January 1986 | 11:55 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-61-C | Success | Last Space Shuttle flight before theChallenger disaster. Carried SenatorBill Nelson onboard. |
| 37 | 9 January 1990 | 12:35 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-32 | Success | First flight from LC-39A following the Space Shuttle's return to flight in 1988. Retrieval of theLong Duration Exposure Facility. |
| 38 | 28 February 1990 | 07:50 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-36 | Success | DoD mission. Deployment ofMisty satellite, also known as USA-53. Shuttle mission with the highest inclination, at 62°. Originally planned to launch fromSLC-6 atVandenberg, prior to the West Coast shuttle program's cancellation post-Challenger. |
| 39 | 15 November 1990 | 23:48 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-38 | Success | DoD mission. Deployment ofSDS satellite, also known as USA-67. |
| 40 | 28 April 1991 | 11:33 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-39 | Success | DoD mission. Performed a variety of experiments. |
| 41 | 2 August 1991 | 15:02 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-43 | Success | Launch and deployment ofTDRS-5 (as TDRS-E) for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. |
| 42 | 12 September 1991 | 23:11 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-48 | Success | Launch and deployment of theUpper Atmosphere Research Satellite. |
| 43 | 24 November 1991 | 23:44 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-44 | Success | DoD mission. Deployment ofDefense Support Program satellite, also known as USA-75. |
| 44 | 22 January 1992 | 14:52 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-42 | Success | |
| 45 | 24 March 1992 | 13:13 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-45 | Success | |
| 46 | 25 June 1992 | 16:12 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-50 | Success | |
| 47 | 2 December 1992 | 13:24 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-53 | Success | Last flight for the DoD. Deployment ofSDS satellite, also known as USA-89. |
| 48 | 26 April 1993 | 14:50 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-55 | Success | |
| 49 | 3 February 1994 | 12:10 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-60 | Success | First shuttle mission to fly with a Russian cosmonaut,Sergei Krikalev. |
| 50 | 9 April 1994 | 11:05 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-59 | Success | First flight of Space ShuttleEndeavour from 39A. |
| 51 | 8 July 1994 | 04:43 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-65 | Success | |
| 52 | 30 September 1994 | 11:16 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-68 | Success | |
| 53 | 2 March 1995 | 06:38 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-67 | Success | |
| 54 | 27 June 1995 | 19:32 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-71 | Success | First Shuttle docking with theMir space station. |
| 55 | 7 September 1995 | 15:09 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-69 | Success | |
| 56 | 12 November 1995 | 12:30 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-74 | Success | Docking withMir. Launch and delivery of theMir Docking Module to the station. |
| 57 | 16 September 1996 | 08:54 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-79 | Success | Docking withMir. |
| 58 | 11 February 1997 | 08:55 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-82 | Success | Servicing mission for theHubble Space Telescope. |
| 59 | 4 April 1997 | 19:20 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-83 | Success | Mission cut short because of a fuel cell issue. |
| 60 | 15 May 1997 | 08:07 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-84 | Success | Docking withMir. |
| 61 | 1 July 1997 | 18:02 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-94 | Success | Reflight of STS-83. |
| 62 | 7 August 1997 | 14:41 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-85 | Success | |
| 63 | 25 September 1997 | 14:34 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-86 | Success | Docking withMir. |
| 64 | 23 January 1998 | 02:48 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-89 | Success | Docking withMir. |
| 65 | 2 June 1998 | 22:06 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-91 | Success | Last shuttle mission toMir. |
| 66 | 4 December 1998 | 08:35 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-88 | Success | First flight to theInternational Space Station and first ISS assembly flight. Added theUnity Node 1 module. |
| 67 | 11 February 2000 | 16:43 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-99 | Success | |
| 68 | 19 May 2000 | 10:11 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-101 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 69 | 11 October 2000 | 23:17 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-92 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theZ1 truss. |
| 70 | 7 February 2001 | 23:13 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-98 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theDestiny US Lab module. |
| 71 | 19 April 2001 | 18:40 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-100 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theMobile Servicing System. |
| 72 | 10 August 2001 | 21:10 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-105 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 73 | 1 March 2002 | 11:22 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-109 | Success | Servicing mission for theHubble Space Telescope. Final successful flight of Space ShuttleColumbia. |
| 74 | 5 June 2002 | 21:22 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-111 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 75 | 24 November 2002 | 00:49 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-113 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theP1 truss. Last shuttle flight before theColumbia disaster. |
| 76 | 16 January 2003 | 15:39 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-107 | Failure | Launch and orbital operations were a success, but damage to thethermal protection system during ascent resulted in breakup during reentry, causing theSpace ShuttleColumbia disaster. |
| 77 | 8 June 2007 | 23:38 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-117 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theS3/S4 truss and solar arrays. First launch from 39A following the shuttle's return to service in 2005. |
| 78 | 8 August 2007 | 23:36 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-118 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theS5 truss. |
| 79 | 23 October 2007 | 15:38 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-120 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theHarmony Node 2 module. |
| 80 | 7 February 2008 | 19:45 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-122 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theColumbus European Laboratory module. |
| 81 | 11 March 2008 | 06:28 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-123 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theExperiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section andDextre. |
| 82 | 31 May 2008 | 21:02 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-124 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theKibō Japanese Experiment Module. |
| 83 | 15 November 2008 | 00:55 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-126 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 84 | 15 March 2009 | 23:43 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-119 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theS6 solar array and truss. |
| 85 | 11 May 2009 | 18:01 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-125 | Success | Final servicing mission for theHubble Space Telescope, and final non-ISS Space Shuttle mission. |
| 86 | 15 July 2009 | 22:03 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-127 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theJapanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility. |
| 87 | 29 August 2009 | 03:59 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-128 | Success | Docking with theISS. Final shuttle landing at Edwards. |
| 88 | 16 November 2009 | 19:28 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-129 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 89 | 8 February 2010 | 09:14 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-130 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theTranquility Node 3 module andCupola. |
| 90 | 5 April 2010 | 10:21 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-131 | Success | Docking with theISS. Final night launch of the Space Shuttle. |
| 91 | 14 May 2010 | 18:20 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-132 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theRassvet Mini-Research module. |
| 92 | 24 February 2011 | 21:53 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-133 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theLeonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module. Final daytime shuttle landing, and final flight of Space ShuttleDiscovery. |
| 93 | 16 May 2011 | 12:56 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-134 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theAlpha Magnetic Spectrometer. Final flight of Space ShuttleEndeavour. |
| 94 | 8 July 2011 | 15:29 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-135 | Success | Docking with theISS. Final flight of Space ShuttleAtlantis, final manned launch from the United States until 2020, and the final flight of the Space Shuttle program. |
All flights operated bySpaceX.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch Vehicle | Booster flight[a] | Payload/mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 19 February 2017 | 14:39 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1031‑1 | SpaceX CRS-10 | Success | ISS resupply flight. FirstFalcon 9 launch from LC-39A, and first unmanned launch from 39A since Skylab in 1973. Originally planned to launch fromSLC-40, but theAMOS-6 preclusion rendered that pad out of use until repairs. |
| 96 | 16 March 2017 | 06:00 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1030 | EchoStar 23 | Success | First uncrewed launch not to the ISS from LC-39A since Apollo 6 in 1968. First stage expended. |
| 97 | 30 March 2017 | 22:27 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1021‑2 | SES-10 | Success | First ever reflight of a previously used Falcon 9 first stage, being previously flown in 2016 as part ofSpaceX CRS-8. |
| 98 | 1 May 2017 | 11:15 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1032‑1 | NROL-76 | Success | NRO launch. Unknown satellite, also known as USA-276. First classified Falcon 9 flight and first SpaceX flight for theNational Reconnaissance Office. |
| 99 | 15 May 2017 | 23:21 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1034‑1 | Inmarsat-5 F4 | Success | |
| 100 | 3 June 2017 | 21:07 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1035‑1 | SpaceX CRS-11 | Success | ISS resupply flight. Launched and deliveredROSA andNICER. First flight of a reusedDragon capsule, previously flown as part ofSpaceX CRS-4. |
| 101 | 23 June 2017 | 19:10 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1029‑2 | BulgariaSat-1 | Success | |
| 102 | 5 July 2017 | 23:38 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1037 | Intelsat 35e | Success | First stage expended. |
| 103 | 14 August 2017 | 16:31 | Falcon 9 Block 4 | 1039‑1 | SpaceX CRS-12 | Success | ISS resupply flight. First Block 4 launch. |
| 104 | 7 September 2017 | 14:00 | Falcon 9 Block 4 | 1040‑1 | X-37B OTV-5 | Success | Fifth flight of theBoeing X-37B. First X-37B flight not launched on anAtlas V. |
| 105 | 11 October 2017 | 22:53 | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 1031‑2 | SES-11 /EchoStar 105 | Success | |
| 106 | 30 October 2017 | 19:34 | Falcon 9 Block 4 | 1042‑1 | Koreasat 5A | Success | |
| 107 | 6 February 2018 | 20:45 | Falcon Heavy | 1033 (core) 1023‑2, 1025‑2 (sides) | Falcon Heavy test flight | Success | Maiden launch of Falcon Heavy and first of twoNational Security Space Launch certification launches. PlacedElon Musk's Tesla Roadster intoheliocentric orbit. Boosters successfully recovered, but core stage was lost. First flight from LC-39A since SLC-40 was reactivated. |
| 108 | 11 May 2018 | 20:14 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1046‑1 | Bangabandhu-1 | Success | First Block 5 launch. |
| 109 | 15 November 2018 | 20:46 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1047‑2 | Es'hail 2 | Success | |
| 110 | 2 March 2019 | 07:19 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1051‑1 | Crew Dragon Demo-1 (Dragon C204) | Success | Maiden flight ofCrew Dragon and first SpaceX demonstration flight for theCommercial Crew Program, docking with theISS. Only flight of Dragon C204 before it was accidentally destroyed during a test. |
| 111 | 11 April 2019 | 22:35 | Falcon Heavy | 1055 (core) 1052‑1, 1053‑1 (sides) | Arabsat-6A | Success | First Block 5 Falcon Heavy launch and second of twoNational Security Space Launch certification launches. All three cores safely landed, but the core stage tipped over during transport back toPort Canaveral. |
| 112 | 25 June 2019 | 06:30 | Falcon Heavy | 1057 (core) 1052‑2, 1053‑2 (sides) | STP-2 | Success | First DoD flight for Falcon Heavy, and successful recovery of a fairing. |
| 113 | 19 January 2020 | 15:30 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1046‑4 | Crew Dragon in-flight abort test (Dragon C205) | Success | Suborbital flight. Falcon 9 was deliberately destroyed 85 seconds in to simulate a failure atmaxq. Dragon capsule then separated and followed an abort procedure. Only flight of Crew Dragon C205. |
| 114 | 18 March 2020 | 12:16 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1048‑5 | Starlink 5 (v1.0) | Success | FirstStarlink launch from LC-39A. |
| 115 | 22 April 2020 | 19:30 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1051‑4 | Starlink 6 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 116 | 30 May 2020 | 19:22 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑1 | Crew Dragon Demo-2 (DragonEndeavour) | Success | Maiden crewed flight of a Falcon 9 and the first crewed flight from the United States sinceSTS-135 in 2011, carrying astronautsBob Behnken andDoug Hurley to theISS. Maiden flight of Crew DragonEndeavour. |
| 117 | 7 August 2020 | 05:12 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1051‑5 | Starlink 9 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 118 | 3 September 2020 | 12:46 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑2 | Starlink 11 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 119 | 6 October 2020 | 11:29 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑3 | Starlink 12 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 120 | 18 October 2020 | 12:25 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1051‑6 | Starlink 13 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 121 | 16 November 2020 | 00:27 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1061‑1 | SpaceX Crew-1 (DragonResilience) | Success | First crew rotation mission of theCommercial Crew Program to theISS and maiden flight of Crew DragonResilience. |
| 122 | 6 December 2020 | 16:17 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑4 | SpaceX CRS-21 | Success | ISS resupply flight. Launched and delivered theNanoracks Bishop Airlock. Maiden flight ofCargo Dragon 2. |
| 123 | 19 December 2020 | 14:00 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1059‑5 | NROL-108 | Success | NRO launch. Two reportedStarshield satellites, also known as USA-312 and USA-313. |
| 124 | 20 January 2021 | 13:02 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1051‑8 | Starlink 16 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 125 | 4 March 2021 | 08:24 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1049‑8 | Starlink 17 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 126 | 14 March 2021 | 10:01 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1051‑9 | Starlink 21 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 127 | 23 April 2021 | 09:49 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1061‑2 | SpaceX Crew-2 (DragonEndeavour) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. |
| 128 | 4 May 2021 | 19:01 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1049‑9 | Starlink 25 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 129 | 15 May 2021 | 22:56 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑8 | Starlink 25 (v1.0) | Success | |
| 130 | 3 June 2021 | 17:29 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑1 | SpaceX CRS-22 | Success | ISS resupply flight. Launched and delivered the first set ofiROSA solar panels. |
| 131 | 29 August 2021 | 07:14 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1061‑4 | SpaceX CRS-23 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 132 | 16 September 2021 | 00:02 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1062‑3 | Inspiration4 (DragonResilience) | Success | First private crewed orbital spaceflight, being commanded by entrepreneurJared Isaacman. First non-ISS American crewed spaceflight sinceSTS-125 in 2009, first splashdown in theAtlantic Ocean sinceApollo 9 in 1969, and set highest crewed altitude record sinceSTS-103 in 1999. |
| 133 | 11 November 2021 | 02:03 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑2 | SpaceX Crew-3 (DragonEndurance) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. Maiden flight of Crew DragonEndurance. |
| 134 | 9 December 2021 | 06:00 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1061‑5 | Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer | Success | Part of theExplorers Program. Launch consisted of three identical telescope tasked with x-ray astronomy. |
| 135 | 21 December 2021 | 10:06 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑1 | SpaceX CRS-24 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 136 | 6 January 2022 | 21:49 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1062‑4 | Starlink Group 4–5 | Success | |
| 137 | 19 January 2022 | 02:02 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑10 | Starlink Group 4–6 | Success | |
| 138 | 3 February 2022 | 18:13 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1061‑6 | Starlink Group 4–7 | Success | |
| 139 | 3 March 2022 | 14:25 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑11 | Starlink Group 4–9 | Success | |
| 140 | 8 April 2022 | 15:17 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1062‑5 | Axiom Mission 1 (DragonEndeavour) | Success | Docking with theISS. First private crewed flight to the ISS. |
| 141 | 27 April 2022 | 07:52 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑4 | SpaceX Crew-4 (DragonFreedom) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. Maiden flight of Crew DragonFreedom. |
| 142 | 6 May 2022 | 09:46 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑12 | Starlink Group 4–17 | Success | |
| 143 | 18 May 2022 | 10:59 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1052‑5 | Starlink Group 4–18 | Success | |
| 144 | 17 June 2022 | 16:09 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑13 | Starlink Group 4–19 | Success | |
| 145 | 15 July 2022 | 00:44 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑5 | SpaceX CRS-25 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 146 | 24 July 2022 | 13:38 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1062‑8 | Starlink Group 4–25 | Success | |
| 147 | 10 August 2022 | 02:14 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1073‑3 | Starlink Group 4–26 | Success | |
| 148 | 11 September 2022 | 01:20 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑14 | Starlink Group 4–20 | Success | |
| 149 | 5 October 2022 | 16:00 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1077‑1 | SpaceX Crew-5 (DragonEndurance) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. |
| 150 | 1 November 2022 | 13:41 | Falcon Heavy | 1066 (core) 1064‑1, 1065‑1 (sides) | USSF-44 | Success | Launch for theUnited States Space Force. Eight technology demonstration satellites, also known as USA-339, 340, 341, 344, 399, 546, 547, and 548. Core stage expended. |
| 151 | 26 November 2022 | 19:20 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1076‑1 | SpaceX CRS-26 | Success | ISS resupply flight. Launched and delivered the second set ofiROSA solar panels. |
| 152 | 8 December 2022 | 22:27 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑4 | OneWeb Flight #15 | Success | |
| 153 | 17 December 2022 | 21:32 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1058‑15 | Starlink Group 4–37 | Success |
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch Vehicle | Booster flight[a] | Payload/mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | 15 January 2023 | 22:56 | Falcon Heavy | 1070 (core) 1064‑2, 1065‑2 (sides) | USSF-67 | Success | Launch for theUnited States Space Force. CBAS satellite, also known as USA-342. Core stage expended. |
| 155 | 2 February 2023 | 07:58 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑5 | Starlink Group 5–3 | Success | |
| 156 | 2 March 2023 | 05:34 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1078‑1 | SpaceX Crew-6 (DragonEndeavour) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. |
| 157 | 15 March 2023 | 00:30 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1073‑7 | SpaceX CRS-27 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 158 | 1 May 2023 | 00:26 | Falcon Heavy | 1068 (core) 1052‑8, 1053‑3 (sides) | ViaSat-3 Americas | Success | Heaviest all-electric satellite launched into orbit. All three boosters expended. |
| 159 | 21 May 2023 | 21:37 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1080‑1 | Axiom Mission 2 (DragonFreedom) | Success | Private crewed docking to theISS. |
| 160 | 5 June 2023 | 15:47 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1077‑5 | SpaceX CRS-28 | Success | ISS resupply flight. Launched and delivered the third set ofiROSA solar panels. |
| 161 | 29 July 2023 | 03:04 | Falcon Heavy | 1074 (core) 1064‑3, 1065‑3 (sides) | EchoStar-24 | Success | Heaviest geostationary satellite ever launched. Core stage expended. |
| 162 | 26 August 2023 | 07:27 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1081‑1 | SpaceX Crew-7 (DragonEndurance) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. |
| 163 | 4 September 2023 | 02:47 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1073‑10 | Starlink Group 6–12 | Success | |
| 164 | 13 October 2023 | 14:19 | Falcon Heavy | 1079 (core) 1064‑4, 1065‑4 (sides) | Psyche | Success | Part of theDiscovery Program, aimed at studying16 Psyche. First Falcon Heavy launch towards another celestial body. Core stage expended. |
| 165 | 10 November 2023 | 01:28 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1081‑2 | SpaceX CRS-29 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 166 | 29 December 2023 | 01:07 | Falcon Heavy | 1084 (core) 1064‑5, 1065‑5 (sides) | X-37B OTV-7 | Success | Seventh flight of theX-37B. First X-37B flight tomedium Earth orbit, and first flight on a Falcon Heavy. Core stage expended. |
| 167 | 18 January 2024 | 21:49 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1080‑5 | Axiom Mission 3 (DragonFreedom) | Success | Private crewed docking to theISS. |
| 168 | January 29, 2024 | 01:10 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1062‑18 | Starlink Group 6–38 | Success | |
| 169 | 15 February 2024 | 06:05 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑18 | IM-1 | Success | Part of theCommercial Lunar Payload Services program. First launch ofIntuitive Machines'Nova-C Lunar lander. Second mission and first successful flight of the program. First launch to theMoon from 39A since Apollo 17 in 1972. |
| 170 | 4 March 2024 | 03:53 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑1 | SpaceX Crew-8 (DragonEndeavour) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. |
| 171 | 16 March 2024 | 00:21 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1062‑19 | Starlink Group 6–44 | Success | |
| 172 | 24 March 2024 | 03:09 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑19 | Starlink Group 6–42 | Success | |
| 173 | 30 March 2024 | 21:52 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1076‑12 | Eutelsat 36D | Success | |
| 174 | 7 April 2024 | 23:16 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1073‑14 | Bandwagon-1 | Success | First SpaceX dedicated rideshare mission from LC-39A. |
| 175 | 17 April 2024 | 21:26 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1077‑12 | Starlink Group 6–51 | Success | |
| 176 | 28 April 2024 | 00:34 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1060‑20 | Galileo-L12 | Success | Part of theGalileo satellite navigation system. First Gallileo launch from the United States, following development issues withAriane 6. First stage expended. |
| 177 | 8 May 2024 | 18:42 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑3 | Starlink Group 6–56 | Success | |
| 178 | 24 May 2024 | 02:45 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1077‑13 | Starlink Group 6–63 | Success | |
| 179 | 25 June 2024 | 21:26 | Falcon Heavy | 1087 (core) 1072‑1, 1086‑1 (sides) | GOES-19 | Success | Part of theGeostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system of satellites. Launched as GOES-U. First GOES launch on a SpaceX rocket. Core stage expended. |
| 180 | 27 July 2024 | 05:45 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑17 | Starlink Group 10–9 | Success | |
| 181 | 2 August 2024 | 05:01 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1078‑12 | Starlink Group 10–6 | Success | |
| 182 | 12 August 2024 | 10:37 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1073‑17 | Starlink Group 10–7 | Success | |
| 183 | 10 September 2024 | 09:23 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑4 | Polaris Dawn (DragonResilience) | Success | First mission of the privatePolaris Program, commanded byJared Isaacman. First ever privatespacewalk, conducted by Isaacman andSarah Gillis. Set non-Apollo crewed altitude record sinceGemini 11 in 1966, and contributed to current record of most people in orbit, at 19. |
| 184 | 14 October 2024 | 16:06 | Falcon Heavy | 1089 (core) 1064‑6, 1065‑6 (sides) | Europa Clipper | Success | Part of theLarge Strategic Science Missions, aimed at studyingJupiter and its moonEuropa. First Falcon Heavy launch to another planet. All three boosters expended. |
| 185 | 5 November 2024 | 02:29 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑5 | SpaceX CRS-31 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 186 | 11 November 2024 | 17:22 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑23 | Koreasat 6A | Success | |
| 187 | 17 November 2024 | 22:28 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1077‑16 | Optus-X/TD7 | Success | |
| 188 | 27 November 2024 | 04:41 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1078‑15 | Starlink Group 6–76 | Success | |
| 189 | 5 December 2024 | 16:10 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1076‑19 | SXM-9 | Success | |
| 190 | 17 December 2024 | 22:26 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1090‑1 | O3b mPOWER 7 & 8 | Success | |
| 191 | 23 December 2024 | 05:35 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1080‑14 | Starlink Group 12–2 | Success | |
| 192 | 31 December 2024 | 05:39 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1078‑16 | Starlink Group 12–6 | Success | |
| 193 | 8 January 2025 | 15:27 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1086‑3 | Starlink Group 12–11 | Success | |
| 194 | 15 January 2025 | 06:11 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1085‑5 | Blue Ghost Mission 1 /Hakuto-R Mission 2 | Success | Part of theCommercial Lunar Payload Services program for Blue Ghost, private mission for Hakuto-R. First launch ofFirefly Aerospace'sBlue Ghost and second launch ofispace'sHakuto-R Lunar landers. Blue Ghost became first completely successful CLPS mission. Hakuto-R crashed into lunar surface during final descent. |
| 195 | 21 January 2025 | 05:24 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑8 | Starlink Group 13–1 | Success | |
| 196 | 30 January 2025 | 01:34 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1073‑21 | Spainsat NG I | Success | First stage expended. |
| 197 | 4 February 2025 | 23:13 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1086‑4 | WorldView Legion 5 & 6 | Success | |
| 198 | 27 February 2025 | 00:16 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑9 | IM-2 | Success | Part of theCommercial Lunar Payload Services program. Second flight ofNova-C. Flight contained secondary payloadsLunar Trailblazer,Brokkr-2, and Chimera-1. |
| 199 | 14 March 2025 | 23:03 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑22 | SpaceX Crew-10 (DragonEndurance) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. |
| 200 | 1 April 2025 | 01:46 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1085‑6 | Fram2 (DragonResilience) | Success | Private crewed mission, commanded byChun Wang. First ever crewed mission to go intopolar orbit, and first polar launch from LC-39A. |
| 201 | 13 April 2025 | 00:53 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1083‑10 | Starlink Group 12–17 | Success | |
| 202 | 21 April 2025 | 08:15 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1092‑3 | SpaceX CRS-32 | Success | ISS resupply flight. |
| 203 | 29 April 2025 | 02:34 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1094‑1 | Starlink Group 12–10 | Success | |
| 204 | 4 May 2025 | 08:54 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1078‑20 | Starlink Group 6–84 | Success | |
| 205 | 13 May 2025 | 05:02 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑28 | Starlink Group 6–83 | Success | |
| 206 | 28 May 2025 | 13:30 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1080‑19 | Starlink Group 10–32 | Success | |
| 207 | 25 June 2025 | 06:31 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1094‑2 | Axiom Mission 4 (DragonGrace) | Success | Private crewed docking to theISS. Maiden flight of Crew DragonGrace. |
| 208 | 1 July 2025 | 21:04 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1085‑9 | MTG-S1/Sentinel-4A | Success | Sentinel-4A part ofESA'sCopernicus Programme series ofearth observation satellites. First Sentinel launch from Cape Canaveral. |
| 209 | 1 August 2025 | 15:43 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1094‑3 | SpaceX Crew-11 (DragonEndeavour) | Success | ISS crew rotation flight. Final booster landing atLZ-1. |
| 210 | 22 August 2025 | 03:50 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1092‑6 | X-37B OTV-8 | Success | Eighth flight of theBoeing X-37B, also known asUSSF-36. Third launch from Falcon. |
| 211 | 28 August 2025 | 08:12 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1067‑30 | Starlink Group 10–11 | Success | First time a booster reached 30 flights. |
| 212 | 5 September 2025 | 12:32 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑27 | Starlink Group 10-57 | Success | |
| 213 | 24 September 2025 | 11:30 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1096‑2 | Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe | Success | Part of theSolar Terrestrial Probes program, designed to observeparticle acceleration andsolar wind interaction with theinterstellar medium. Launched alongsideSWFO-L1 and theCarruthers Geocorona Observatory. |
| 214 | 9 November 2025 | 08:10 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1069‑28 | Starlink Group 10‑51 | Success | |
| 215 | 15 November 2025 | 03:08 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1092‑8 | Starlink Group 6‑89 | Success | |
| 216 | 21 November 2025 | 03:39 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 1080‑23 | Starlink Group 6‑78 | Success |
| Date | Rocket Type | Mission / Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2025 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6‑86 |
All flights operated byNASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Serial number | Mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 May 1969 | 16:49 | Saturn V | SA-505 | Apollo 10 (CSMCharlie Brown and LMSnoopy) | Success | First launch, first crewed launch, and only Saturn V launch from LC-39B. Launch was conducted at the pad to practice high Saturn V launch cadence. Only crewed flight from 39B so far to go beyondlow Earth orbit. |
| 2 | 25 May 1973 | 13:00 | Saturn IB | SA-206 | Skylab 2 | Success | First visit toSkylab, making emergency repairs sustained duringspace station's launch. First launch of the Saturn IB from LC-39B, and the first launch of the Saturn IB sinceApollo 7 in 1968. |
| 3 | 28 July 1973 | 11:10 | Saturn IB | SA-207 | Skylab 3 | Success | Second visit toSkylab. |
| 4 | 16 November 1973 | 14:01 | Saturn IB | SA-208 | Skylab 4 | Success | Last visit toSkylab. Set American record for time in space that stayed until the advent ofISS expeditions. |
| 5 | 15 July 1975 | 19:50 | Saturn IB | SA-210 | Apollo–Soyuz | Success | The Apollo component of the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, complementing Soyuz 19. First crewed international spaceflight for NASA, and last flight of the Saturn IB,Saturn family, andApollo CSM. |
All flights operated byNASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Shuttle | Mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 28 January 1986 | 16:38 | Space Shuttle | Challenger | STS-51-L | Failure | First Space Shuttle launch from LC-39B. Intended to launch and deployTDRS-B for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. A failure of thesolid rocket booster led to breakup 73 seconds after launch, causing theSpace ShuttleChallenger disaster. |
| 7 | 28 September 1988 | 15:37 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-26 | Success | First Space Shuttle launch following theChallenger disaster. Launch and deployment ofTDRS-3 (as TDRS-C) for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. |
| 8 | 2 December 1988 | 14:30 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-27 | Success | ClassifiedDepartment of Defense mission. Deployment ofLacrosse satellite, also known as USA-34. Shuttle'sthermal protection system was extensively damaged during liftoff, but survived reentry. |
| 9 | 13 March 1989 | 14:37 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-29 | Success | Launch and deployment ofTDRS-4 (as TDRS-D) for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. |
| 10 | 4 May 1989 | 14:46 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-30 | Success | Launch and deployment ofMagellan, aiming to study and create a radar map ofVenus. |
| 11 | 8 August 1989 | 12:37 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-28 | Success | DoD mission. Deployment ofSDS satellite and SSF satellite, also known as USA-40 and USA-41 respectively. |
| 12 | 18 October 1989 | 16:53 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-34 | Success | Launch and deploymentGalileo. Part of theLarge Strategic Science Missions, designed to studyJupiter and its moons. First spacecraft to enter orbit of Jupiter and of an outer planet, and first spacecraft to enter the atmosphere of agas giant with atmospheric probe. First Shuttle launch with anRTG. |
| 13 | 23 November 1989 | 00:23 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-33 | Success | DoD mission. Deployment ofMagnum satellite, also known as USA-48. |
| 14 | 12 April 1990 | 12:33 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-31 | Success | Launch and deployment of theHubble Space Telescope. Part of theLarge Strategic Science Missions, aspace telescope designed to conductoptical astronomy. Collaboration betweenNASA andESA. Was serviced five times over the following 20 years. |
| 15 | 6 October 1990 | 11:47 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-41 | Success | Launch and deployment ofUlysses. Collaboration between NASA and ESA, designed to study theSun from variousinclinations. First spacecraft to enterpolarheliocentric orbit, thanks to agravity assist fromJupiter. |
| 16 | 2 December 1990 | 06:49 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-35 | Success | |
| 17 | 5 April 1991 | 14:22 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-37 | Success | Launch and deployment of theCompton Gamma Ray Observatory. Part of theLarge Strategic Science Missions, aspace telescope designed to conductgamma-ray astronomy. |
| 18 | 5 June 1991 | 13:24 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-40 | Success | |
| 19 | 7 May 1992 | 23:40 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-49 | Success | Maiden flight ofSpace ShuttleEndeavour. Servicing mission forIntelsat 603, following staging failure during launch on aCommercial Titan III in 1990. Onlyspacewalk so far to feature three astronauts. |
| 20 | 31 July 1992 | 13:56 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-46 | Success | |
| 21 | 12 September 1992 | 14:23 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-47 | Success | |
| 22 | 22 October 1992 | 17:09 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-52 | Success | |
| 23 | 13 January 1993 | 13:59 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-54 | Success | Launch and deployment ofTDRS-6 (as TDRS-F) for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. |
| 24 | 8 April 1993 | 05:29 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-56 | Success | |
| 25 | 21 June 1993 | 13:07 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-57 | Success | |
| 26 | 12 September 1993 | 11:45 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-51 | Success | |
| 27 | 18 October 1993 | 14:53 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-58 | Success | |
| 28 | 2 December 1993 | 09:27 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-61 | Success | Servicing mission for theHubble Space Telescope. Notable for correcting its optics caused by incorrect mirror grounding made before launch. |
| 29 | 4 March 1994 | 13:53 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-62 | Success | |
| 30 | 9 September 1994 | 22:22 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-64 | Success | |
| 31 | 3 November 1994 | 16:59 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-66 | Success | |
| 32 | 3 February 1995 | 05:22 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-63 | Success | First shuttle mission to the space stationMir. Rendezvoused, but did not dock. |
| 33 | 13 July 1995 | 13:41 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-70 | Success | Launch and deployment ofTDRS-7 (as TDRS-G). Last Shuttle launch for theTracking and Data Relay Satellite System. |
| 34 | 20 October 1995 | 13:53 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-73 | Success | |
| 35 | 11 January 1996 | 09:41 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-72 | Success | |
| 36 | 22 February 1996 | 20:18 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-75 | Success | |
| 37 | 22 March 1996 | 08:13 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-76 | Success | Docking withMir. |
| 38 | 19 May 1996 | 10:30 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-77 | Success | |
| 39 | 20 June 1996 | 14:49 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-78 | Success | |
| 40 | 19 November 1996 | 19:55 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-80 | Success | Longest ever Space Shuttle flight, at 17 days and 15 hours. |
| 41 | 12 January 1997 | 09:27 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-81 | Success | Docking withMir. |
| 42 | 19 November 1997 | 19:46 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-87 | Success | |
| 43 | 17 April 1998 | 18:19 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-90 | Success | FinalSpacelab flight. |
| 44 | 29 October 1998 | 19:19 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-95 | Success | Carried senator andMercury-Atlas 6 veteranJohn Glenn into orbit. |
| 45 | 27 May 1999 | 10:49 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-96 | Success | First non-assembly Space Shuttle flight to theInternational Space Station. |
| 46 | 23 July 1999 | 04:31 | Space Shuttle | Columbia | STS-93 | Success | Launch and deployment of theChandra X-Ray Observatory. Part of theLarge Strategic Science Missions, aspace telescope designed to conductx-ray astronomy. |
| 47 | 19 December 1999 | 00:50 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-103 | Success | Servicing mission for theHubble Space Telescope. |
| 48 | 8 September 2000 | 12:45 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-106 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 49 | 1 December 2000 | 03:06 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-97 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theP6 solar array and radiators. |
| 50 | 8 March 2001 | 11:42 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-102 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 51 | 12 July 2001 | 09:03 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-104 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theQuest Joint Airlock. |
| 52 | 5 December 2001 | 22:19 | Space Shuttle | Endeavour | STS-108 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 53 | 8 April 2002 | 20:44 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-110 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theS0 truss. |
| 54 | 7 October 2002 | 19:45 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-112 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theS1 truss. |
| 55 | 26 July 2005 | 14:39 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-114 | Success | Docking with theISS. First Space Shuttle flight following theColumbia disaster in 2003. |
| 56 | 4 July 2006 | 18:37 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-121 | Success | Docking with theISS. |
| 57 | 9 September 2006 | 15:14 | Space Shuttle | Atlantis | STS-115 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theP3/P4 truss and solar arrays. |
| 58 | 10 December 2006 | 00:47 | Space Shuttle | Discovery | STS-116 | Success | ISS assembly flight, adding theP5 truss. Final Space Shuttle flight from LC-39B. |
All flights operated byNASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Configuration | Spacecraft | Mission | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 28 October 2009 | 15:30 | Ares I | Ares I-X | Boilerplate | Ares I-X | Success | Suborbital launch. Carried a boilerplate upper stage andOrion spacecraft. Only launch of the Ares I and of theConstellation Program. First uncrewed launch from LC-39B. |
| 60 | 16 November 2022 | 06:47 | Space Launch System | SLS Block 1 | CM-002 | Artemis I | Success | Maiden flight of SLS and first launch of theArtemis Program. Inaugural flight of a completed Orion spacecraft. First flight of a crewable spacecraft to the Moon sinceApollo 17 in 1972, and first 39B launch beyond LEO since Apollo 10 in 1969. |
| Date | Launch vehicle | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| 5 February 2026 | Space Launch System | Artemis II |
_and_Endeavour_(STS-400)_on_launch_pads_again.jpg)
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As the shuttle program nears retirement, KSC officials are evaluating whether other facilities that supported three decades of shuttle flights will transition to serve new vehicles or be discarded. The center is offering use of its launch pads, runway, Vehicle Assembly Building high bays, hangars and firing rooms to private companies expected to play a bigger role in NASA missions and a growing commercial space market.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporatespublic domain material fromLaunch Pad 39C.National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Media related toKennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 at Wikimedia Commons| Facilities |
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