LAUNCH COMPLEX 18 FACT SHEET

By Cliff Lethbridge

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 18 Circa 2018

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 18 Circa 2018

Configuration: Single Blockhouse, Two Launch Pads

LAUNCH PAD 18A

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: December 8, 1956

Final Launch: June 9, 1965

Number of Launches: 24

Vehicles Launched: Vanguard, Blue Scout Junior

LAUNCH PAD 18B

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: June 4, 1958

Final Launch: April 12, 1962

Number of Launches: 23

Vehicles Launched: Thor, Blue Scout I, Blue Scout II, Mercury-Scout

Launch Complex 18 was built in support of the Vanguard rocket program. The complex was built at a cost of about $7 million. Construction began in June, 1956. Launch Pad 18A was occupied in November, 1956 while Launch Pad 18B was occupied in April, 1957.

It was the site of perhaps the single most memorable rocket failure in American history. A Vanguard rocket intended to carry the first U.S. satellite into space exploded on Launch Pad 18A on December 6, 1957. There were, however, several successful Vanguard launches in coming months.

Launch Pad 18B was a flat pad used to test Thor ground-based tactical launch equipment. Both launch pads were modified for the Air Force Scout rocket program. Launch Complex 18 is currently abandoned, with the blockhouse and launch pads intact. The facility is being leased to Moon Express, who is using the site in support of low-altitude testing of proposed lunar landing vehicles but there is no evidence of activity at the site.

Launch Complex 18 Blockhouse Circa 2020