Lunch Trip 3 - LC 16 and 14

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been really busy with work, but not too busy to explore!

This lunch trip was to two Launch Complexes: 16 and 14.

First i'll explain where we're running around. we've been making our way south on ICBM road, which is a road on the east side of cape canaveral air force station from which all the launch complexes branch off from. In the 1960s this area was known as Missle Row. Here's a picture with some of the spots circled:

CCAFS with different Launch Complexes

All of the launch complexes have a very similar layout. Here is a diagram of Complex 19 which shows the main parts of a launch site:

LC 19 diagram

The blockhouse is where the engineers hit the go button. The big metal thing would either assemble the rocket or lift the rocket vertical before launch. Flame buckets (or flame deflectors) would angle the exhaust away from the rocket. Skimming basins hold all the deluge (water) that is used to lessen launch vibrations and cool the launch platform. Lastly, the fuel farm and oxidizer tanks are always separated like that to avoid catastrophic explosions (except the ones that make the rocket go into space).

Now that you know a little more about what a launch complex consists of, let's get started with the first LC:

Launch Complex 16

The site was constructed in the 1950s for the Titan I Missile Program. In 1973, the site was used for the Pershing Engineering Development Program which was some missile program. The current launch complex is dismantled, so it was kind of weird that there were so many cars parked out in front of the blockhouse. As we were driving up REMOVED BY GOVERNMENT. We saw a bunch of REMOVED BY GOVERNMENT standing CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. DELETED.


Launch Complex 14
Used as the launch site for the Atlas rockets, LC14 was where astronaut John Glenn and Scott Carpenter (among others) became the first Americans in orbit. Scott Carpenter, as some of you may know, hails from Boulder. This complex is currently dismantled, so i was able to get the best parking spot before heading in:

A dismantled launch complex pretty much means the giant metal construction tower is removed and all the fuel stuff has been cleaned out. They usually leave as little metal behind because the sea air will chew right through it. It's also crazy how the plants totally take over when no one tends to a site. They did have a push to restore parts of the site because of its significance, so they turned the blockhouse into a conference room. Here is a montage of pics:

Shot from top of blockhouse looking at the launch pad.

Water pump under the platform. Plants taking over.


Looking up at the service ramp/launch platform.
Blue posts were installed to support because the brown ones
that have pretty much been eaten through.


Straight on view of where the launch platform woulda been.
The rocket would have been right where i'm taking the picture on a metal launch platform.
Most LC's have the launch platform removed, except LC 34


This is looking up at the access ladders for the service ramp.

I have a bunch more pictures that I'll post soon!