"LC-18" redirects here. For the Neptune trojan, see 2008 LC18.
Launch Complex 18 (LC-18) is a launch complex at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida that was active during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was used by Viking, Vanguard, Thor and Scout rockets. The complex consists of two launch pads, LC-18A, which was originally built by the US Navy for the Vanguard rocket, and LC-18B, which was originally by the US Air Force used for tests of the PGM-17 Thor missile.
The first launch from LC-18 was a Viking rocket from LC-18A on 8 December 1956, on a test flight for Project Vanguard. A further Viking launch was conducted in May 1957, and the Vanguard made its maiden flight from the complex in September. Following this, the United States first satellite launch attempt was made from LC-18A, using Vanguard TV3, on 6 December 1957. The launch failed after the rocket lost thrust and exploded on the launch pad. All twelve Vanguard launches were conducted from LC-18A, with the complex being transferred to NASA after it took over responsibility for Vanguard following its formation in 1958. After the Vanguard's retirement in 1959, LC-18A was transferred to the US Air Force for use by Scout rockets.
LC-18B was used for 17 tests of Thor missiles between 4 June 1958 and 29 February 1960. Following this, it was also converted for use by Scout rockets.
Sixteen Scouts were launched from LC-18; ten from LC-18A and six from LC-18B. Fifteen of the launches were suborbital sounding flights, and one was an orbital launch with the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA. This failed to reach orbit and was destroyed by range safety 43 seconds after launch. The launches from LC-18A used the Blue Scout Junior configuration, and were conducted between 21 September 1960 and 9 June 1965. The launches from LC-18B consisted of three Blue Scout I rockets and three Blue Scout IIs, launched between 7 January 1961 and 12 April 1967.
Referencesedit
Wade, Mark. . Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
Wade, Mark. . Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
Wade, Mark. . Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
March 17, 2024
cape, canaveral, launch, complex, redirects, here, neptune, trojan, 2008, lc18, launch, complex, launch, complex, cape, canaveral, space, force, station, florida, that, active, during, late, 1950s, early, 1960s, used, viking, vanguard, thor, scout, rockets, co. LC 18 redirects here For the Neptune trojan see 2008 LC18 Launch Complex 18 LC 18 is a launch complex at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Florida that was active during the late 1950s and early 1960s It was used by Viking Vanguard Thor and Scout rockets The complex consists of two launch pads LC 18A which was originally built by the US Navy for the Vanguard rocket and LC 18B which was originally by the US Air Force used for tests of the PGM 17 Thor missile Launch Complex 18Vanguard TV3 at LC 18A prior to its launch attemptLaunch siteCape Canaveral Space Force StationLocation28 26 57 N 80 33 44 W 28 4493 N 80 5623 W 28 4493 80 5623Short nameLC 18OperatorNASAU S Space ForceTotal launches47Launch pad s TwoLC 18A launch historyStatusDemolishedLaunches24First launch8 December 1956Viking Vanguard TV0Last launch9 June 1965Blue Scout Jr AFWL 304AssociatedrocketsVikingVanguardXRM 91 Blue Scout Junior LC 18B launch historyStatusDemolishedLaunches23First launch4 June 1958PGM 17 ThorLast launch12 April 1962RM 89 Blue Scout IAssociatedrocketsPGM 17 ThorRM 89 Blue Scout IRM 90 Blue Scout IIThe first launch from LC 18 was a Viking rocket from LC 18A on 8 December 1956 on a test flight for Project Vanguard A further Viking launch was conducted in May 1957 and the Vanguard made its maiden flight from the complex in September Following this the United States first satellite launch attempt was made from LC 18A using Vanguard TV3 on 6 December 1957 The launch failed after the rocket lost thrust and exploded on the launch pad All twelve Vanguard launches were conducted from LC 18A with the complex being transferred to NASA after it took over responsibility for Vanguard following its formation in 1958 After the Vanguard s retirement in 1959 LC 18A was transferred to the US Air Force for use by Scout rockets LC 18B was used for 17 tests of Thor missiles between 4 June 1958 and 29 February 1960 Following this it was also converted for use by Scout rockets Sixteen Scouts were launched from LC 18 ten from LC 18A and six from LC 18B Fifteen of the launches were suborbital sounding flights and one was an orbital launch with the Mercury Scout 1 satellite for NASA This failed to reach orbit and was destroyed by range safety 43 seconds after launch The launches from LC 18A used the Blue Scout Junior configuration and were conducted between 21 September 1960 and 9 June 1965 The launches from LC 18B consisted of three Blue Scout I rockets and three Blue Scout IIs launched between 7 January 1961 and 12 April 1967 References editWade Mark Cape Canaveral LC18 Encyclopedia Astronautica Archived from the original on July 6 2008 Retrieved 2009 04 23 Wade Mark Cape Canaveral LC18A Encyclopedia Astronautica Archived from the original on January 31 2010 Retrieved 2009 04 23 Wade Mark Cape Canaveral LC18B Encyclopedia Astronautica Archived from the original on March 30 2009 Retrieved 2009 04 23 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 18 amp oldid 1084018583, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
