Kennedy Space Center Cuts Ribbon On New Small Class Vehicle Launch Pad 39C
By NASA // July 17, 2015
will serve as a multi-purpose site
BREVARD COUNTY • KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – Kennedy Space Center took another step forward in its transformation into a 21st Century multi-user spaceport with the completion of the new Small Class Vehicle Launch Pad, designated 39C, in the Launch Pad 39B area.
KSC Director Bob Cabana and Center Planning and Development Director Scott Colloredo marked the completion with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Friday.
The new launch pad will attract and enable smaller aerospace companies to develop and launch their vehicles from the center.
KSC’s newest Launch Pad, designated 39C, is designed to accommodate Small Class Vehicles. Located in the southeast area of the Launch Complex 39B perimeter, this new concrete pad measures about 50 feet wide by about 100 feet long.
Launch Complex 39C will serve as a multi-purpose site allowing companies to test vehicles and capabilities in the smaller class of rockets, making it more affordable for smaller companies to break into the commercial spaceflight market.
As part of this capability, NASA’s Ground Systems Development and Operations Program developed a universal propellant servicing system, which can provide liquid oxygen and liquid methane fueling capabilities for a variety of small class rockets. This system is slated for operational readiness in the summer of 2016.
With the addition of Launch Complex 39C, KSC can offer the following processing and launching features for companies working with small class vehicles (maximum thrust up to 200,000 pounds):
• Processing facilities – i.e. Vehicle Assembly Building
• Vehicle/payload transportation (KAMAG, flatbed trucks, tugs, etc.) from integration facility to pad
• Launch site
• Universal propellant servicing system (LOX, LCH4)
• Launch control center/mobile command center options
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