Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 32 Explained

Launch Complex 32
Site:Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Short:LC-32
Utc Offset:−05:00
Time Zone:EST
Utc Offset Dst:−04:00
Time Zone Dst:EDT
Operator:United States Space Force
Pads:2 (incl. silo)
Paddetails:
Status:Inactive
First:August 30, 1961
Last:December 14, 1970
Rockets:Minuteman

Launch Complex 32 (LC-32) is a former launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

It was built in 1959 with LC-31 for the U.S. Air Force to conduct test launches of the first LGM-30 Minuteman missiles. These complexes were the first to feature dual launch pads, one of which was subterranean. LC 32 consisted of a blockhouse, static launch pad (32A) and missile silo (32B). The bee-hive-shaped blockhouse is 210 yards from the static pad and 330 yards from the silo.

The Air Force launched 53 ballistic missiles from the silo of LC-32B between August 30, 1961 and December 14, 1970. There are no records of any launches from the LC-32A launch pad.

The service tower has since been removed and silo filled in, although recovered debris from the space shuttle orbiter Challenger were buried in the silo as well as in the silo at Pad 31.[1] [2]

References

Notes and References

  1. News: Shuttle Debris Moved for Burial. Jan 8, 1987. Los Angeles Times. 2009-05-20.
  2. News: Challenger debris to be buried. Chicago Sun-Times. Ritter. Jim. 1986-11-30.