LAUNCH COMPLEX 17 FACT SHEET

By Cliff Lethbridge

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 17 Circa 2018

Configuration: Single Blockhouse, Two Launch Pads

LAUNCH PAD 17A

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: August 30, 1957

Final Launch: August 17, 2009

Number of Launches: 164

Vehicles Launched: Thor, Thor-Able 0, Thor-Able I, Thor-Able II, Thor-Able III, Thor-Able IV, Delta, Thor-Able Star, Delta B, Delta D, Delta C, Delta E, Delta G, Delta M, Delta N, Delta L, Delta M6, Delta 2000 Series, Delta 3000 Series, Delta II 6000 Series, Delta II 7000 Series

LAUNCH PAD 17B

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: January 25, 1957

Final Launch: September 10, 2011

Number of Launches: 162

Vehicles Launched: Thor, Thor-Able Star, Delta, Delta A, Delta B, Delta C, Delta E, Delta G, Delta N, Delta 1000 Series, Delta 2000 Series,

Delta 3000 Series, Delta 4000 Series, Delta II 6000 Series, Delta II 7000 Series, Delta III 8000 Series

Launch Complex 17 was built for development and testing of the Air Force Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. The complex was built at a cost of about $7 million. Construction began in April, 1956. Launch Pad 17B was occupied by the Air Force in September, 1956 while Launch Pad 17A was occupied by the Air Force in April, 1957.

Once the Thor missile testing ran its course and the Thor was modified to carry space payloads, Launch Complex 17 slowly and surely was modified and grew to handle a plethora of NASA, Air Force and commercial payload applications, the vast majority of which carried the storied Delta name. Delta originated in 1960 as a Thor-based space launch vehicle, and its relatives carried the name well into the current century.

The complex featured a single blockhouse and two launch pads, each serviced by its own mobile service tower. The blockhouse was reinforced on the outside by an earthen wall as Delta rockets grew more and more powerful. The blockhouse was used for Delta launches until 1997, when a catastrophic Delta II failure rained debris on the complex, severely endangering the personnel inside the blockhouse.

Although no one was injured, the blockhouse was abandoned in favor of a remote launch control room for subsequent Delta II launches. Upon its retirement in 2011, Launch Complex 17 was the oldest active launch complex on Cape Canaveral, used for nearly 60 years. The complex is currently being leased to Moon Express, who is using the site in support of low-altitude testing of proposed lunar landing vehicles. However, the complex has been fenced off and there is currently no evidence of activity there. The Launch Complex 17 blockhouse and concrete structures on both launch pads, as well as the two mobile service towers, have been destroyed.

Launch Complex 17 Perimeter Fence Circa 2020

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 17 Circa 1990

Launch Complex 17 Entrance Circa 2019

Remnants Of Launch Pad 17A Circa 2018

Remnants Of Launch Pad 17B Circa 2018

Launch Complex 17 Demolition Circa 2018

Destruction Of Launch Complex 17 Circa 2018

Launch Complex 17 Circa 2017

Blockhouse 17 Destruction Circa 2014

Blockhouse 17 Destruction Circa 2013

SRB Processing On Launch Pad 17B Circa 2007

SRB Processing On Launch Pad 17B Circa 2007

Delta II From Launch Pad 17A Circa 2006

Delta III On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1998

Delta II On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1991

Delta II On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1991

Delta On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1980

Delta On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1974

Delta On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1972

Delta On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1969

Launch Pad 17B Circa 1961

Thor-Able On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1959

Thor On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1959

Launch Complex 17 Circa 1959

Thor-Able On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1958

Thor On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1958

Thor-Able On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1958

Thor-Able On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1958

Thor On Launch Pad 17A Circa 1957

Thor On Launch Pad 17B Circa 1957

Launch Complex 17 Circa 1956

Launch Complex 17 Construction Circa 1956