Launch Complex 36

Systems

Other Programs

Cost: $6,535,000 each pad

History of Launch Complex

Built with a single launch pad, 36A, completed in February 1961 for Atlas Centaur by the Air Force. In 1963, the launch complex was transferred to NASA and NASA built Pad 36B

Pad 36A

Bids for the second pad were released on 21 November 1961
Construction started in February 1963 and completed 31 July 1964
Supported the first 5 developmental flights of the Atlas Centaur, 8 May 1962 - 2 March 1965
Four Surveyor missions launched, 30 May 1966 - 7 January 1968
Two Mariner missions launched, 27 March 1969 - 8 May 1971
Four Pioneer missions launched, 2 March 1972 - 8 August 1978
Supported INTELSAT IV & V commercial communications satellite missions in the 1970s and 1980s
First FLTSATCOM launch 9 February 1978
Total 5 FLTSATCOM launches, 9 February 1978 - 6 August 1981
Modified launch complex for Atlas II Centaur. Awarded contract to build new umbilical tower for Pad 36A on 1 December 1988 and completed in October 1989. Major work done on the Mobile Service Tower to halt corrosion
NASA returned launch complex to Air Force and General Dynamics for military operations in late September 1989
First Atlas Centaur II launch, 11 February 1992. Total of 9 launched with the last 16 March 1998
First Atlas Centaur IIA launch, 3 August 1994 and last 5 December 2002, Total of 18 launches
First Atlas Centaur IIAS launch, 4 September 1997 and last 31 August 2002, Total of 10 launches

Pad 36B

Second pad, 36B added between February 1963 and July 1964
Supported 3 developmental flights of the Atlas Centaur, 11 August 1965 - 26 October 1966
Three Surveyor missions launched, 17 April 1967 - 7 November 1967
Three Mariner missions launched, 24 February 1969 - 3 November 1973
Supported INTELSAT IV & V commercial communications satellite missions in the 1970s and 1980s
Total 3 FLTSATCOM launches, 5 December 1986 - 25 September 1989
First Atlas Centaur I launched 25 July 1990 and last 25 April 1991, Total of 11 launches
First and only Atlas Centaur II launched 7 December 1991
First Atlas Centaur IIA launched 10 June 1992, and last 23 November 1999, Total of 5 launches
First Atlas Centaur IIAS 16 December 1993, and last 19 May 2004, Total of 17 launches
First Atlas Centaur IIIA launch 24 May 2000, and last 13 March 2004
First Atlas Centaur IIIB launch 21 February 2002, and last 3 February 2005, Total of 4 launches

Launch Complexes 36A and 36B deactivated
Two Mobile Service Tower were brought down with explosives on 16 June 2007
Launch complex leased to Space Florida on 11 August 2008
On 22 October 2008, U.S. Air Force and Florida dignitaries broke ground on Launch Complex 36
Request For Proposals (RFP) for Launch Complex 36 issued on 5 October 2008 for a commercial space launch site