Launch Complex 33, White Sands Missile Range

Launch complex 33 (common name--White Sands blockhouse and gantry crane) was developed in 1945-1946 specifically to accommodate V-2 rocket tests at White Sands. The V-2 gantry crane and Army blockhouse represent the first generation of rocket testing facilities that led to the exploration of space and the first manned landing on the surface of the moon.

The gantry has been restored to its original V-2 configuration, including the display of a restored Hermes A-i rocket on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. The blockhouse is currently used for maintenance activities. The complex exhibits a high degree of integrity; it is no longer used as an active launch site. People can visit a portion of the site without being in a tour group. Access is controlled, but advance arrangements are not necessary. Yearly visitation (approximately 3,500 people) is relatively low because of the site's remote location. Interpretive signs are provided at the site, and interpretive media is included in the White Sands visitor center.

Space Launch Complex 10, Vandenberg Air Force Base

The west pad at SLC-10 is one of the best surviving examples of a launch complex built in the 1950s, and the electronic equipment in the blockhouse is one of the best examples of working electronics used to support space launches during this era.

Although the complex was dismantled and then rebuilt, the blockhouse, pad, support structures, and equipment are all original. The site is in excellent condition and maintains a high degree of integrity. It receives very little visitation and is open only to organized groups. There is no on-site interpretive media and no visitor center. However, the Air Force does conduct public tours during its open houses, generally held annually.

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

The Cape Canaveral site is a national historic landmark district with seven contributing properties. They are launch complexes 5/6, 13, 14, 19, 26, and 34, and the original mission control center. The first manned Apollo flight and all Mercury and Gemini flights were launched from or directly associated with these sites. It was this launch and flight control experience that enabled men to land on the surface of the moon. The six launch complexes are described below, and the mission control center is discussed under that group of sites.

It is estimated that of the 2.2 million visitors to the Kennedy Spaceport USA visitor center in 1986, approximately 85,000 people visited Cape Canaveral on public bus tours or in organized groups. A bus tour that originates from the Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA stops at complexes 26 and 5/6 (Air Force and NASA space museums) and the original mission control center. The bus also passes the remaining landmark sites and numerous active and inactive launch complexes. An audio-cassette program gives an overview of Cape Canaveral during the tour. The driver provides current launch information and items of interest; however, the Man in Space story and the significance of Cape Canaveral to the early space program are not adequately described.

Launch complex 5/6 was built in 1955 for the Redstone testing programs and was used to launch the Mercury/Redstone missiles. All of the Mercury/Redstone suborbital flights were launched from complex 5/6, including Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 and Gus Grissom's Liberty Bell 7.

The complex has been modified over the years; the launch tower has been demolished and the original windows and equipment have been removed from the blockhouse. The blockhouse now houses a small NASA museum. Although certain elements are no longer at the complex, it was never modified to accommodate new programs. The complex still retains much of its original fabric and provides a sense of what an early launch complex was like. It is open to visitors, who arrive by bus and are allowed to tour the complex including the blockhouse, and is interpreted through on-site exhibits inside the blockhouse and tour guide narration.

Launch complex 26, foreground, and complex 5/6, background, 1986

Launch complex 26 was built in 1957 for the Redstone rocket research and development program. It was the launch site for Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, and other satellite launches. It was also the site of the launches of primates Ham, Gordo, Able, and Baker in tests that paved the way for Alan Shepard's Mercury suborbital flight.

The complex still retains much of its integrity, but the service structure (the only one of its type left) is in a serious state of disrepair. The complex now encompasses the Air Force Space Museum, which includes the blockhouse (original windows intact, equipment from early space program), an exhibit hall, an information kiosk and an outdoor rocket exhibit area. This complex is combined with launch complex 5/6 for visitor use purposes. It is interpreted much the same way as complex 5/6, except that Air Force volunteers conduct tours of the blockhouse and exhibit hall. This interpretive program is informative and illustrates the complex's importance to the Man in Space theme. Launch complexes 5/6 and 26 and the lone remaining service structure give visitors a sense of the early American space program, particularly in contrast to the massive, technologically sophisticated launch complex 39 at the nearby Kennedy Space Center.

Complex 13 launch tower, 1986

Launch complex 13 was built in 1956 for the Atlas research and development program and was later modified for the Atlas/Agena rocket. The complex was used for five lunar orbiter missions and the Mariner 3 mission. It closely resembles complex 14 (site of the manned Mercury orbital launches) and is the only remaining site that illustrates the support facilities required in the Mercury/Atlas launches. Its much larger launch tower contrasts sharply with the smaller tower at complex 26, depicting the changes in technology as the early American space program progressed.

The complex was deactiviated in 1978. The blockhouse is empty, and many of the support facilities are in poor condition. The launch tower structure is in fair condition. The tower is box-shaped, whereas the tower at complex 14 was trapezoidal in shape. No visitors are allowed on the site; a brief interpretive message is offered on the tour bus.

Launch complex 14 was built in 1957 to support the Atlas research and development program. It is the most significant of the Atlas complexes. All manned Mercury/Atlas flights were launched from this complex, including the first orbital flight by John Glenn. In 1965-66 the complex was used to launch the Atlas/Agenas as target vehicles for Gemini flights.

Complex 14, service structure demolition, 1976

Complex 14 was deactivated in 1967. The service structure was removed and salvaged in 1976 because of structural deterioration caused by excessive rust. The launch ramp and blockhouse are still in good condition. The blockhouse is now used for storage. Although the complex has lost most of its original historic fabric, its significance is acknowledged.

A monument to the original seven astronauts has been placed at the entrance to this complex. A marker commemorating John Glenn's first orbital flight was erected on the launch ramp, and an information kiosk adjacent to the blockhouse is available for groups that make arrangements ahead of time. Though public access to the complex is controlled, the bus tour stops briefly at the monument and the significance of the site is described.

Launch complex 19 was built in 1959 and was the launch site for 10 Gemini manned orbital flights. The Gemini program marked the intermediate step between the earlier Mercury flights and the manned Apollo missions to the moon.

All electrical equipment and the launch tower and stand have been salvaged. The remainder of the site retains some of its original historic fabric. However, the fold-back erector (service structure) and the steel portions of the launch ramp are severely deteriorated because of the corrosive environment.

A sign listing the manned spaceflights that occurred at complex 19 has been placed at the entrance to the complex for viewing on the scheduled bus tour; however, the bus does not go onto the site. Very little historic interpretation is provided on the bus tour. An information kiosk north of the launch stand interprets the historic significance of this complex for organized groups that make arrangements ahead of time.

Complex 19, time-lapse photo of fold-back erector (service structure) and launch of Gemini/Titan 2

Complex 19, deteriorated fold-back erector (service structure), 1986

Launch complex 34 was planned and constructed in 1959 for the Saturn I booster flight test program. Following the fourth successful Saturn I launch, the complex was modified to support the Saturn 1B/Apollo spacecraft. The Apollo 7 manned space mission was launched from this site. This complex was also the site of the fire that took the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee on January 27, 1967. This was the first launching site in the world built expressly for the peaceful exploration of space.

The remaining features of the complex are the launch stand, blast deflector, blockhouse, and propellant facilities. All other facilities have been salvaged over the years. The blockhouse is in good condition.

An information kiosk is adjacent to the launch stand. Photos and printed materials displayed in the kiosk interpret the complex and its significance in the Man in Space story for groups that make arrangements ahead of time. The scheduled bus tour does not stop at this site.

Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center

Launch complex 39A, Apollo 11 taking man to the moon, 1969

Complex 39 (historic name--America's first spaceport) was built between 1962 and 1968 and was designed to support the huge Apollo/Saturn V space vehicles that carried men to the moon. The major support structures in launch preparation included the vehicle assembly building (VAB) where the craft was assembled on the launch vehicle; the mobile launcher--platform and launch tower--that supported the craft before and during takeoff; the mobile service structure that provided access for servicing the space vehicles while on the launch pad; the crawler-transporter that moved the mobile service structure complete with space vehicle from the VAB to the launch pad; the crawlerway upon which the crawler-transporter moved; and the launch pads (A and B) and support facilities.

At the present time, the launch pads have been modified to accommodate the space shuttle. Two of the original three Apollo launch towers have been converted on the pads for space shuttle use. The third tower has been dismantled as-is in 40-foot sections and is currently being stored in a fenced area at the Kennedy Space Center. All three mobile launchers and the mobile service structure have been converted for space shuttle use. The crawlerway, crawler-transporters, vehicle assembly building, and launch control center remain intact with modifications to accommodate

the space shuttle program. Overall, the site exhibits a high degree of integrity. Bus tours of launch complex 39 begin at the Spaceport USA visitor center and transport over 1 million people to launch complex 39 each year. Interpretation on the tour bus, which stops at various locations for viewing, focuses on the current space shuttle program. However, visitors do get a sense of the importance of the launch complex to the first and subsequent lunar landings. The bus also stops at a Saturn V space vehicle, and the narrator highlights its singular purpose--to get man to the moon.