Launch Complex 18

• Viking
• Vanguard
• Thor
• Blue Scout Jr.
• Blue Scout I
• Blue Scout II
• Scout

Other Programs

• OAR
• HETS

Cost: $3,592,000 each pad

History of Launch Complex

• Built in 1955
• Navy accepted Pad 18A on 5 November 1956
• First Vanguard launch, 8 December 1956, Pad 18A
• Supported Navy and NASA's Vanguard launches, 8 December 1956 - 18 September 1959
• Total 14 Vanguard launches from Pad 18A. The first two Vanguards were Viking 13 (Vanguard TV-0), which fired only the 1st stage, and Viking 14 (Vanguard TV-1), which fired the 1st stage & 2nd stage solid motor. The first full Vanguard was TV-2 on 23 October 1957
• Pad 18A supported 10 NASA Blue Scout Jr. launches for US Air Force, 21 September 1960 - 9 June 1965. Total of 10 launches
• A Combined Systems Test Building and Assembly and Checkout Building completed, June 1963
• Modifications were completed on Pad 18A for the Blue Scout Jr., June 1963
• Pad 18B supported 17 Thor launches, 4 June 1958 - 29 February 1958. It remained active until the launch rate of the Thor was reduced enough for Launch Complex 17 to carry the load
• Pad 18B supported 6 Blue Scout I, Blue Scout II and Scout launches, 7 January 1961 - 12 April 1962
• Following 5 launches in 1961, operations on Launch Complex 18 were scaled back drastically
• Deactivated, 1 February 1967
• The launch complex was used in processing of de-mineralized water for the Cape. Water is used on the Navy submarines for reactor water.