LAUNCH COMPLEX 31/32 FACT SHEET

By Cliff Lethbridge

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 31/32 Circa 2018

Configuration: Two Blockhouses, Two Flat Launch Pads, Two Silos

LAUNCH PAD 31A

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: February 1, 1961

Final Launch: March 14, 1970

Number of Launches: 4

Vehicles Launched: Minuteman I, Minuteman II

SILO 31B

Current Status: Contains Remains of Space Shuttle Challenger

First Launch: December 18, 1961

Final Launch: September 23, 1969

Number of Launches: 35

Vehicles Launched: Minuteman I, Minuteman II, Minuteman III

LAUNCH PAD 32A

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: Never Used

Final Launch: Never Used

Number of Launches: None

Vehicles Launched: None

SILO 32B

Current Status: Contains Remains of Space Shuttle Challenger

First Launch: August 30, 1961

Last Launch: December 14, 1970

Number of Launches: 53

Vehicles Launched: Minuteman I, Minuteman II, Minuteman III

Launch Complex 31/32 was built in support of Minuteman missile testing. The site was constructed over existing Launch Complex 9/10, although elements of Launch Complex 9/10 remained intact. The complex was built at a cost of about $5 million with acceptance by the Air Force in July, 1960. Launch Complex 31/32 featured two bee-hive style blockhouses, one serving Launch Pad 31A and Silo 31B (south) and the other serving Launch Pad 32A and Silo 32B (north). Each missile silo was approximately 80 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter, and included underground equipment and access rooms. The silos were intended to come as close as possible to conditions under which the missiles would actually be deployed. Today, the two blockhouses are abandoned but remain intact, as do the flat pads and silos. In 1987, the Minuteman silos were filled with the remains of Space Shuttle Challenger and sealed with large cement lids. These remains are expected to be stored there indefinitely. Launch Complex 31/32 was open to visitors for many years, but due to deteriorating conditions the complex remains locked and is no longer accessible.