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67-455: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 ( SLC-6 , pronounced "Slick Six") is a launch pad and associated support infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California . Construction at the site began in 1966, but the first launch didn't occur until 1995 due to program cancellations and subsequent repurposing efforts. The site was originally envisioned to support Titan IIIM rockets and

134-415: A flame deflector might be implemented to mitigate damage to the surrounding pad and direct exhaust. This is especially important with reusable launch vehicles to increase efficiency of launches while minimizing time spent refurbishing. The construction of a launch pad begins with site selection, considering various geographical and logistical factors. It is often advantageous to position the launch pad on

201-432: A missile vertically but is located underground in order to help harden it against enemy attack. The launch complex for liquid fueled rockets often has extensive ground support equipment including propellant tanks and plumbing to fill the rocket before launch. Cryogenic propellants ( liquid oxygen oxidizer, and liquid hydrogen or liquid methane fuel) need to be continuously topped off (i.e., boil-off replaced) during

268-512: A payload preparation room, payload changeout room, a new launch tower with escape system for the shuttle crew members, sound suppression system and water reclamation area and a Shuttle Assembly Building were added to the original complex. Between November 1984 and May 1985, the Space Shuttle Enterprise was mated with External Tank and SRBs in boilerplate configuration for a series of fit checks like those conducted at LC-39 . SLC-6

335-801: A post-launch Boeing News press release, the mission was the first for the NRO aboard a Delta IV and the second aboard a Delta rocket. Another Delta IV Medium vehicle flew a mission for the Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program , orbiting DMSP-17, on 4 November 2006. The Delta IV and the lease on SLC-6 were turned over to United Launch Alliance (ULA) when ULA was formed as a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin Space in December 2006. On 20 January 2011, at 1:10 p.m. PST, USA-224 (NROL-49)

402-513: A rocket launch, along with the sound it produces during liftoff, can damage the launchpad and service structure , as well as the launch vehicle. The primary goal of the diverter is to prevent the flame from causing damage to equipment, infrastructure, or the surrounding environment. Flame diverters can be found at rocket launch sites and test stands where large volumes of exhaust gases are expelled during engine testing or vehicle launch. Sites for launching large rockets are often equipped with

469-491: A small "milkstool" platform to be located over one of the two exhaust ducts originally intended for one of the large solid rocket boosters. The first operational launch from SLC-6 occurred on 15 August 1995, involving the Lockheed-Martin Launch Vehicle I (LMLV-1). Unfortunately, LMLV-1 was terminated in mid-flight after uncontrolled oscillations of the rocket were detected. This resulted in the loss of

536-419: A sound suppression system to absorb or deflect acoustic energy generated during a rocket launch. As engine exhaust gasses exceed the speed of sound , they collide with the ambient air and shockwaves are created, with noise levels approaching 200 db. This energy can be reflected by the launch platform and pad surfaces, and could potentially cause damage to the launch vehicle, payload, and crew. For instance,

603-734: A three-and-a-half second first stage engine static firing as well. Vehicle Assembly Building The Vehicle Assembly Building (originally the Vertical Assembly Building ), or VAB , is a large building at NASA 's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, designed to assemble large pre-manufactured space vehicle components, such as the massive Saturn V , the Space Shuttle and the Space Launch System , and stack them vertically onto one of three mobile launcher platforms used by NASA. As of March 2022,

670-605: Is in line with the intent to migrate KSC towards acting as a spaceport accessible to both government and commercial ventures. On April 21, 2016, NASA announced the selection of Orbital ATK (bought by Northrop Grumman as of 2019) to begin negotiations for High Bay 2. The "potential agreement" included an existing mobile launcher platform. NASA subsequently completed the agreement in August 2019 to lease High Bay 2 and Mobile Launcher Platform 3 to Northrop Grumman for use with their OmegA launch vehicle. However, development of OmegA

737-684: Is now known as the Artemis program and its vehicles, including the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft . NASA began modifying Launch Complex 39 at KSC to support the new SLS in 2014, beginning with major repairs, code upgrades and safety improvements to the Launch Control Center, Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the VAB Utility Annex. This initial work is required to support any launch vehicle operated from Launch Complex 39 and will allow NASA to begin modernizing

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804-405: Is unique, but a few broad types can be described by the means by which the space vehicle gets to the pad. A service structure is a steel framework or tower that is built on a launch pad to facilitate assembly and servicing. An umbilical tower also usually includes an elevator which allows maintenance and crew access. Immediately before ignition of the rocket's motors, all connections between

871-573: The Atlantic coast of Florida . The VAB is the largest single-story building in the world, was the tallest building (526 ft or 160 m) in Florida until 1974, and is the tallest building in the United States outside an urban area. The VAB, completed in 1966, was originally built for the vertical assembly of the Apollo – Saturn V space vehicle and was originally referred to as

938-613: The Delta IV and Delta IV Heavy , which conducted ten successful missions between 2006 and 2022. In 2023, SpaceX secured a lease agreement for SLC-6, with plans to modify the facility for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches commencing in 2025. Vandenberg's southward launch trajectory is advantageous for deploying satellites into high-inclination polar and Sun-synchronous orbits, needed for weather forecasting, Earth observation, and reconnaissance missions as they enable comprehensive and regular global coverage. Launching into such orbits from

1005-607: The Goddard Rocket Launching Site after Robert H. Goddard 's series of launch tests starting in 1926, consisted of a mount situated on an open field in rural Massachusetts. The mount was compromised of a frame with a series of gasoline and liquid oxygen lines feeding into the rocket. It wasn't until the 1930s that rockets were increasing enough in size and strength that specialized launch facilities became necessary. The Verein für Raumschiffahrt in Germany

1072-655: The Manned Orbiting Laboratory , however, these projects were terminated before SLC-6's completion. Between 1979 and 1986 the facilities received extensive modifications to accommodate the Space Shuttle . However, budgetary constraints, safety considerations, and political factors ultimately led to the cancellation of Shuttle operations from the West Coast. SLC-6 facilitated four launches of Athena rockets between 1995 and 1999 with minimal modifications. Subsequently, it underwent modifications to support

1139-699: The NASA insignia in 1998. It is 209 feet (63.7 m) high and 110 feet (33.5 m) wide. Each of the stars on the flag is 6 feet (1.83 m) across, the blue field is the size of a regulation basketball court, and each of the stripes is 9 feet (2.74 m) wide. Work began in early 2007 to restore the exterior paint on the immense facility. Special attention was paid to the enormous American flag and NASA "meatball" insignia. The work repaired visible damage from years of storms and weathering. The flag and logo had been previously repainted in 1998 for NASA's 40th anniversary. The most extensive exterior damage occurred during

1206-597: The Vertical Assembly Building . In anticipation of post-Apollo projects such as the Space Shuttle program, it was renamed the Vehicle Assembly Building on February 3, 1965. It was subsequently used to mate the Space Shuttle orbiters to their external fuel tanks and solid rocket boosters . Once the complete space vehicle was assembled on a mobile launcher platform , a crawler-transporter moved it to Launch Complex-39A or 39B . Before

1273-559: The Air Force to transfer Space Shuttle assets at Vandenberg to other organizations (specifically, the Kennedy Space Center) by 30 September 1989, the end of the fiscal year. The work was completed 10 days early on 20 September, when SLC-6 was placed in mothball status. Several factors accounted for this: The Air Force officially terminated the Space Shuttle program at Vandenberg on 26 December 1989. The estimated cost for

1340-761: The Boeing factory in Decatur , Ala. , to Vandenberg aboard the MV ; Delta Mariner cargo vessel that docked just south of SLC-6 at the same location originally constructed for receiving and offloading space shuttle external tanks. Boeing developed the Delta IV class of vehicles as its entrant in the Department of Defense's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. EELV was intended to cut launch costs and simplify satellite launch processes. After sitting on

1407-600: The East Coast of the United States presents significant challenges due to geographical constraints. SLC-6, part of Vandenberg's "South Base," was originally part of the Sudden Ranch, prior to its purchase by the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1960s under the law of eminent domain . In addition to the ranch, the Point Arguello Light was based there, which in 1967 was replaced by an automated light. There

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1474-613: The Shuttle would be refurbished. When the orbiter was ready, the Orbiter Transport System, a 76-wheel transporter would have been used to transport the shuttle between the North Base facilities and SLC-6 over 17 miles (27 km) of base and public roadways. The route through the hills around the base required that hills be carved away along 2 miles (3.2 km) of the route to accommodate the orbiter’s wingspan. At

1541-554: The Shuttle-specific components at SLC-6 were removed, such as the mobile Payload Changeout Room, but the Assembly Building, Mobile Service Tower, Launch Tower, flame deflection trenches and sound suppression system and some other shuttle-oriented equipment were retained and made compatible for the new Delta IV rocket. The launch vehicle's Common Booster Core and associated flight hardware was transported from

1608-861: The Space Shuttle was intended to be retired in 2010, the VAB would have been renovated for stacking of the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles for the Constellation program , however the Constellation program was cancelled in 2010. The Space Shuttle itself was retired in 2011 after which NASA temporarily (as early as 2012) offered public tours of the VAB. These tours were temporarily discontinued in February 2014 to allow for renovations to take place. The NASA FY2013 budget included US$ 143.7 million for Construction of Facilities (CoF) requirements in support of what

1675-451: The West Coast to support the construction of a new launch pad." The contract with LSOC was closed out several months later. Instead, USAF continued flying military polar orbit satellites using the Titan 34D and later Titan IV rockets from SLC-4 at Vandenberg. Four Athena missions flew from SLC-6, from 1995 to 1999. In the early 1990s, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company began studies on

1742-406: The aft engine area of the vehicle prior to engine start. Too much excess hydrogen in the aft during engine start can result in an overpressure blast wave that could damage the launch vehicle and surrounding pad structures. The Spacex launch sequence includes a hold-down feature of the launch pad that allows full engine ignition and systems check before liftoff. After the first-stage engine starts,

1809-399: The area above the pad. Flame deflectors or flame trenches are designed to channel rocket exhaust away from the launch pad but also redirect acoustic energy away. In rockets using liquid hydrogen as their source of propellant , hydrogen burn-off systems (HBOI), also known as radially outward firing igniters (ROFI), can be utilized to prevent the build up of free gaseous hydrogen (GH2) in

1876-414: The bays located inside the building, which are the four largest doors in the world. Each door is 456 feet (139.0 m) high, has seven vertical panels and four horizontal panels, and takes 45 minutes to completely open or close. The north entry that leads to the transfer aisle was widened by 40 feet (12.2 m) to allow entry of the shuttle orbiter. A central slot at the north entry allowed for passage of

1943-428: The building can be completely replaced every hour. The large doors can allow fog to roll into the building and become trapped, leading to incorrect rumors that the building has its own weather and can form clouds. The American flag painted on the building was the largest in the world when added in 1976 as part of United States Bicentennial celebrations, along with the star logo of the anniversary, later replaced by

2010-664: The coast, particularly with the ocean to the east, to leverage the Earth's rotation and increase the specific impulse of launches. Space programs such as Soviet space program or the French space program without this luxury may utilize facilities outside of their main territory such as the Baikonur Cosmodrome or Guiana Space Centre to launch for them. This orientation also allows for safe trajectory paths, minimizing risks to populated areas during ascent. Each launch site

2077-472: The destruction of Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, NASA installed a sub-roof inside the VAB to deal with falling concrete debris due to the building's age. The VAB was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2020. In 1963, NASA contracted Urbahn Architects to design and build the VAB. Construction began with driving

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2144-510: The discontinued program was $ 4 billion. The Orbiter Lifting Fixture was relocated to United States Air Force Plant 42 where the orbiters were built and refurbished in Palmdale, California , before the delivery of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1991. Previously, the orbiters were trucked to Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, about 36 miles (58 km) away, which took about 10 hours. The Orbiter Lifting Fixture

2211-782: The existing 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runway at the North Base was expanded to match the Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida: 15,000 feet (4,600 m) in length with additional 1,000-foot (300 m) overruns on both ends to accommodate end-of-mission landings. Just off the runway, was the Orbiter Lifting Fixture , a scaled-down version of the Mate-Demate Device, and the Orbiter Maintenance and Processing Facility (OMPF) where

2278-482: The expenditure of such SLC-6 funding on the basis of a need to launch high-priority military payloads into polar orbits. After Defense Department officials testified that polar orbits could not be achieved by launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Congress initiated construction of ... SLC-6." There were significant layout differences between the shuttle launch complexes at KSC and SLC-6 at Vandenberg, with

2345-648: The facilities at KSC closer together, but with stacking operations taking place right at the launch pad at SLC-6 At KSC, the Shuttle arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility airport either by gliding in from space or piggybacking on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and then being unloaded using the Mate-Demate Device . From there, it was towed a short distance to one of three Orbiter Processing Facility hangars where it

2412-531: The facilities, while vehicle-specific requirements are being developed. The VAB could be used to some extent for assembly and processing of any future vehicles using Launch Complex 39, in addition to renovations for SLS capabilities. On June 16, 2015, NASA released an announcement for proposals (AFP) seeking interest in using the VAB High Bay 2 and other complex facilities for commercial use in "assembling, integration, and testing of launch vehicles". This move

2479-411: The facility was placed in mothball status. No Space shuttles were launched from SLC-6. With plans of launching civilian and military equatorial space shuttle flights from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and military polar orbit flights from Vandenberg, NASA and the Air Force looked at different sites for launching the shuttle, finally deciding upon SLC-6, due to its dedicated crewed spaceflight role that

2546-477: The first Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was assembled inside in preparation for the Artemis I mission, launched on November 16, 2022. At 129,428,000 cu ft (3,665,000 m ), it is the eighth-largest building in the world by volume as of 2022. The building is at Launch Complex 39 at KSC, 149 miles (240 km) south of Jacksonville , 219 miles (352 km) north of Miami , and 50 miles (80 km) due east of Orlando , on Merritt Island on

2613-455: The first steel foundation piles on Aug. 2, 1963. It was part of NASA's massive effort to send astronauts to the Moon for the Apollo program . Altogether, 4,225 pilings were driven down 164 feet to bedrock with a foundation consisting of 30,000 cubic yards (23,000 m ) of concrete. Construction of the VAB required 98,590 short tons (197,180,000 lb; 89,440,000 kg) of steel. The building

2680-442: The intense heat of the rocket exhaust from damaging the vehicle or pad structures, and a sound suppression system spraying large quantities of water may be employed. The pad may also be protected by lightning arresters . A spaceport typically includes multiple launch complexes and other supporting infrastructure. A launch pad is distinct from a missile launch facility (or missile silo or missile complex ), which also launches

2747-657: The launch pad, two buildings, the Shuttle Assembly Building and the Mobile Service Tower would envelop the access tower allowing the spacecraft to be stacked right on the launch pad. In all, over $ 4 billion were spent on the modifying SLC-6 for the Space Shuttle. The original Mobile Service Tower (MST) was lowered in height and two new flame ducts were added for the shuttle's solid rocket boosters . Additional modifications or improvements included liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage tanks,

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2814-417: The launch pad. [REDACTED] Media related to Vandenberg Space Force Base Space Launch Complex 6 at Wikimedia Commons Launch pad Most launch pads include fixed service structures to provide one or more access platforms to assemble, inspect, and maintain the vehicle and to allow access to the spacecraft, including the loading of crew. The pad may contain a flame deflection structure to prevent

2881-421: The launch sequence ( countdown ), as the vehicle awaits liftoff. This becomes particularly important as complex sequences may be interrupted by planned or unplanned holds to fix problems. Most rockets need to be supported and held down for a few seconds after ignition while the engines build up to full thrust . The vehicle is commonly held on the pad by hold-down arms or explosive bolts , which are triggered when

2948-423: The launcher is held down and not released for flight until all propulsion and vehicle systems are confirmed to be operating normally. Similar hold-down systems have been used on launch vehicles such as Saturn V and Space Shuttle . An automatic safe shut-down and unloading of propellant occur if any abnormal conditions are detected. Prior to the launch date, SpaceX sometimes completes a test cycle, culminating in

3015-421: The maximum admissible overall sound power level (OASPL) for payload integrity is approximately 145 db. Sound is dissipated by huge volumes of water distributed across the launch pad and launch platform during liftoff. Water-based acoustic suppression systems are common on launch pads. They aid in reducing acoustic energy by injecting large quantities of water below the launch pad into the exhaust plume and in

3082-496: The orbiter's vertical stabilizer. To lift the components of the Space Shuttle, the VAB housed five overhead bridge cranes , including two capable of lifting 325 tons, and 136 other lifting devices. The building has air conditioning equipment, including 125 ventilators on the roof supported by four large air handlers (four cylindrical structures west of the building) rated at a total 10,000 tons of refrigeration (120,000,000 BTU / hr , 35 MW) to keep moisture under control. Air in

3149-539: The original MOL program that would have launched a Titan III vehicle. Site work was scheduled to begin in late-FY 1992 with a planned initial launch capability sometime in FY1996. However, on 22 March 1991, HQ USAF reversed itself again by announcing the termination of the Titan IV/Centaur program at SLC-6. The reasons given for the project being canceled was due to "insufficient Titan IV launch requirements from

3216-513: The pad since late-2003 and enduring technical issues with both the booster and the payload, the first of the Delta IV launch vehicles to fly from SLC-6 successfully lifted off at 8:33 p.m. PDT on 27 June 2006. The Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) rocket lofted NROL -22, a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office , into orbit. The payload was successfully deployed approximately 54 minutes later. According to

3283-584: The program to flight after a two-year hiatus. On 31 July 1986, Secretary of the Air Force Edward C. Aldridge, Jr. , announced that Vandenberg's Space Shuttle program would be placed in "operational caretaker status", six months after the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. A few months later, however, SLC-6 was placed in "minimum caretaker status" on 20 February 1987. Eventually, on 13 May 1988, Secretary Aldridge then directed

3350-593: The prospect of a new family of small launch vehicles for commercial and other users. Lockheed eventually approved the development of the Lockheed Launch Vehicle (LLV) program in January 1993. After the merger of Lockheed with Martin Marietta , it was renamed Athena . After another contract was issued in 1994 by the Air Force, modification work began on the existing SLC-6 shuttle launch mount for

3417-509: The storm season of 2004, when Hurricane Frances blew off 850 14-by-6-foot (4.3 m × 1.8 m) aluminum panels from the building, resulting in about 40,000 square feet (3,700 m ) of new openings in the sides. Twenty-five additional panels were blown off the east side by the winds from Hurricane Jeanne just three weeks later. Earlier in the season, Hurricane Charley caused significant but less serious damage, estimated to cost $ 700,000 to repair. Damage caused by these hurricanes

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3484-399: The tower and the craft are severed, and the bridges over which these connections pass often quickly swing away to prevent damage to the structure or vehicle. A flame deflector, flame diverter or flame trench is a structure or device designed to redirect or disperse the flame, heat, and exhaust gases produced by rocket engines or other propulsion systems. The amount of thrust generated by

3551-787: The vehicle and the payload. The cause of the mishap was later determined to be a guidance system failure coupled with overheating of the booster's first stage steering mechanism. The payload on board was GEMstar 1, a small communications satellite manufactured by CTA, Inc. for the Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), a non-profit organization. After some hardware redesign and testing, a newly rechristened Athena I successfully launched NASA's Lewis satellite into orbit from SLC-6 on 22 August 1997. Part of NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (SSTI) and "Mission to Planet Earth" program. Another launch, on 24 September 1999,

3618-430: The vehicle is stable and ready to fly, at which point all umbilical connections with the pad are released. Precursors to modern rocketry, such as fireworks and rocket launchers, did not generally require dedicated launch pads. This was due in part to their relatively portable size, as well as the sufficiency of their casings in sustaining stresses. One of the first pads for a liquid-fueled rocket, what would later be named

3685-611: Was also the Point Arguello LORAN station, de-established 31 December 1979. No Titans were launched from SLC-6. After purchase of south base, the Air Force started construction of the SLC-6 facility on 12 March 1966, to support launches of a Titan IIIM for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). After significant construction work was completed, the MOL program was cancelled on 10 June 1969, so further work on SLC-6 stopped as

3752-662: Was an exact replica to Kummersdorf's large test stand. It was this site which saw the development of the V-2 rocket . Test Stand VII was the principle testing facility at the Peenemünde Airfield and was capable of static firing rocket motors with up to 200 tons of thrust. Launch pads would increase in complexity over the following decades throughout and following the Space Race . Where large volumes of exhaust gases are expelled during engine testing or vehicle launch,

3819-449: Was completed in 1966. The VAB is 526 feet (160.3 m) tall, 716 feet (218.2 m) long and 518 feet (157.9 m) wide. It covers 8 acres (32,000 m ), and encloses 129,428,000 cubic feet (3,665,000 m ) of space. Located on Florida's Atlantic coast, the building was constructed to withstand hurricanes and tropical storms . Despite this, it has received damage from several hurricanes (see below ). There are four entries to

3886-523: Was declared operational during acceptance ceremonies held on 15 October 1985. However, much additional work and testing was still required. The inaugural polar-orbit flight, designated STS-62-A and using Space Shuttle Discovery with Shuttle veteran Robert Crippen as commander, was planned for 15 October 1986. However, the Challenger disaster of 28 January 1986 grounded the Shuttle fleet as efforts were concentrated on recovery and returning

3953-521: Was dismantled in 2008. The Orbiter Transport System was sent to KSC where it was used to move orbiters between the Orbiter Processing Facility and the Vehicle Assembly Building. The vehicle was purchased by SpaceX in 2014 for $ 37,075. On 6 July 1990, Lockheed Space Operations Company (LSOC) was awarded an Air Force ground system contract to modify SLC-6 into a Titan IV / Centaur launch complex—essentially an uprated facility from

4020-550: Was injured. A propellant fuel tank exploded, while experimenting with mixing 90% hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, before combustion. In May 1937, Dornberger, and most of his staff, moved to the Peenemünde Army Research Center on the island of Usedom on the Baltic coast which offered much greater space and secrecy. Dr. Thiel and his staff followed in the summer of 1940. Test Stand VI at Pennemünde

4087-509: Was launched atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The launch was conducted by ULA and was the first flight of a Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg. On 24 September 2022, ULA launched the last Delta IV Heavy from the pad, concluding their use of SLC-6. Vulcan Centaur , Delta IV Heavy's successor, will launch from SLC-3E at Vandenberg, currently used by Atlas V . On 24 April 2023, the United States Space Force announced that it

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4154-457: Was leasing SLC-6 to SpaceX for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches. Prior to its leasing, there was interest among other companies for control over the pad thanks to its large size, most notably by Blue Origin for their New Glenn orbital launch vehicle. SpaceX expects to begin Falcon 9 launches from SLC-6 in 2025 and Falcon Heavy launches in 2026. Since then, SpaceX has started reconfiguring

4221-446: Was left over from the canceled MOL/Titan program. In 1972, Vandenberg AFB was chosen as the western launch site for Air Force shuttle launches. Use of SLC-6 was approved in 1975, and re-construction of the former MOL launch facility occurred between January 1979 and July 1986 as SLC-6 was rebuilt to accommodate the space shuttle. There were several reasons for using SLC-6: A Senate report summarized: "The Air Force originally justified

4288-673: Was permitted after a request for funding in 1930 to move from farms to the Berlin rocket launching site ( German : Raketenflugplatz Berlin ), a repurposed ammunition dump. A test stand was built for liquid-propellant rockets in Kummersdorf in 1932, where the early designs from the Aggregat series of ballistic missiles were afterwards developed. This site was also the location of the first casualties in rocket development, when Dr. Wahmke and 2 assistants were killed, and another assistant

4355-568: Was refurbished. When the orbiter was ready, it was towed across the road to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it was stacked atop a mobile launcher platform . From there, the vehicle was taken to one of two pads at Launch Complex 39 about a mile away by a crawler-transporter . At the launch pad, the Rotating Service Structure allowed payloads to be loaded into the cargo bay on the pad. At SLC-6,

4422-496: Was still visible in 2007. Some of these panels are "punch-outs", designed to detach from the VAB when a large pressure differential is created on the outside vs. the inside. This allows for equalization, and helps protect the structural integrity of the building during rapid changes in pressure such as in tropical cyclones. The building has been used as a backdrop in several Hollywood movies including Marooned , SpaceCamp , Apollo 13 , Contact , and others. Originally, after

4489-435: Was successful as an Ikonos satellite operated by Space Imaging (later acquired by ORBIMAGE to form GeoEye ) was successfully placed into a polar orbit using an Athena 2 booster. Ten Delta IV rockets were launched from SLC-6. With the advent of the Delta IV in the late 1990s, The Boeing Company received a lease from the Air Force on 1 September 1999, to modify SLC-6 once again to launch Boeing's Delta IV . Some of

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