Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 48
 Aerial view of KSC Launch Complex 48. Launch Complexes 39A and 39B are both visible behind the pad. | |||||
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| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC−5(EST) | ||||
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4(EDT) | ||||
| Short name | LC-48 | ||||
| Established | October 2020 | ||||
| Operator | NASA | ||||
| Launch pad(s) | 1 (planned 2) | ||||
| |||||
Launch Complex 48(LC-48) is a multi-user launch site for small launchers and spacecraft. It is located south ofLaunch Complex 39Aand north ofSpace Launch Complex 41.[1]
The construction of LC-48 began in November 2019 but was halted in March 2020 due to the ongoingCOVID-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 constructedLC-39Cwithin the bounds ofLC-39Bwith the purpose of serving small launchers, but the operational constraints of sharing the site on a non-interference basis with both theSpace Launch SystemandOmegA(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]
As of May 2024, LC-48 has seen no launches, and none are currently planned from the complex.
See also[edit]
- Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1
- List of Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island launch sites
- Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ^abKelly, Emre (14 June 2019)."Meet Launch Complex 48, NASA's new small rocket pad at Kennedy Space Center".Florida Today.Retrieved7 January2020.
- ^Iemole, Anthony (2020-12-22)."Kennedy Space Center Expands as Launch Complex 48 Opens for Operations".Retrieved2020-12-23.
- ^Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch Complex 48,2019,pp. ii–iii, Proposed Action.
- ^Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch Complex 48,2019,p. 4.
Sources[edit]
- Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch Complex 48(PDF).NASA. 19 February 2019.Retrieved7 January2020.
External links[edit]
- Exploration Ground Systems websiteat NASA.gov
- Kennedy Space Center Master Planat KSC.NASA.gov
- Spaceport Development – Space Floridaat SpaceFlorida.gov
- LC-48 Completedat floridaytoday
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