Kennedy_Space_Center_Launch_Complex_48

Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 48

Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 48

Launch complex at Kennedy Space Center


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]

Quick Facts Launch site, Time zone ...

The construction of LC-48 began in November 2019 but was halted in March 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Construction was resumed in June 2020, with the completion of the first pad in October 2020.[2]

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.[3] 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]

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 (now canceled) 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]

See also


References

Citations

  1. Kelly, Emre (14 June 2019). "Meet Launch Complex 48, NASA's new small rocket pad at Kennedy Space Center". Florida Today. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  2. Iemole, Anthony (2020-12-22). "Kennedy Space Center Expands as Launch Complex 48 Opens for Operations". Retrieved 2020-12-23.

Sources



Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Kennedy_Space_Center_Launch_Complex_48, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.