Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 46
Encyclopedia
Space Launch Complex 46 (SLC-46) is a launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
operated under license by Space Florida
for Athena rocket launches. It was originally used for tests of the Trident II
missile between 1987 and 1989. Following the completion of the Trident's land-based tests, the complex was deactivated.
In 1997, Space Florida began operations at the site, and was opened for commercial space operations. Lockheed Martin
launched an Athena II
and an Athena I
from the pad in 1998 and 1999 respectively. The Athena II, launched January 7, 1998, carried the Lunar Prospector
spacecraft which orbited the Moon
. On January 27, 1999, the Athena I lifted off with Taiwan's first satellite, ROCSAT-1, carrying experimental communications, ocean imagery, and ionospheric studies instruments.
During the construction of SLC-46, a nearby sounding rocket
complex, LC-43
was demolished. Its operations were transferred to SLC-47.
In March 2010, the USAF 45th Space Wing
issued Real Property Licenses to Space Florida for Launch Complexes 36 and 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. On July 1, 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration
approved a Launch Site Operator's License for commercial launches at Launch Complex 46.
On September 24, 2010, the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast was awarded a $500,000 Defense Infrastructure Grant from the State of Florida - to be used for critical communications upgrades at SLC-46.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
operated under license by Space Florida
Space Florida
Space Florida is the aerospace economic development agency of the state of Florida. The agency was created by consolidating three existing space entities into a single new organization via the The Space Florida Act, enacted in May 2006 by the Florida Legislature...
for Athena rocket launches. It was originally used for tests of the Trident II
UGM-133 Trident II
UGM-133 Trident II, or Trident D5 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, California, and deployed with the US Navy and Royal Navy. It was first deployed in 1990, and is still in service....
missile between 1987 and 1989. Following the completion of the Trident's land-based tests, the complex was deactivated.
In 1997, Space Florida began operations at the site, and was opened for commercial space operations. Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
launched an Athena II
Athena II
The Athena II is an American small expendable launch system which was used for three launches between 1998 and 1999, and which is scheduled to return to service in 2012. It is a member of the Athena family of rockets, along with the smaller Athena I...
and an Athena I
Athena I
The Athena I, known as the Lockheed Launch Vehicle at the time of its first flight and Lockheed Martin Launch Vehicle at the time of its second flight, is an American small expendable launch system which was used for four launches between 1995 and 2001, and which is scheduled to return to service...
from the pad in 1998 and 1999 respectively. The Athena II, launched January 7, 1998, carried the Lunar Prospector
Lunar Prospector
The Lunar Prospector mission was the third selected by NASA for full development and construction as part of the Discovery Program. At a cost of $62.8 million, the 19-month mission was designed for a low polar orbit investigation of the Moon, including mapping of surface composition and possible...
spacecraft which orbited the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
. On January 27, 1999, the Athena I lifted off with Taiwan's first satellite, ROCSAT-1, carrying experimental communications, ocean imagery, and ionospheric studies instruments.
During the construction of SLC-46, a nearby sounding rocket
Sounding rocket
A sounding rocket, sometimes called a research rocket, is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The origin of the term comes from nautical vocabulary, where to sound is to throw a weighted line from a ship into...
complex, LC-43
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 43
Launch Complex 43 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida was a launch complex used by American sounding rockets between 1962 and 1984. It supported 2,038 sounding rocket launches. In 1984, sounding rocket launches moved to LC-47, and LC-43 was demolished to make way for Launch Complex 46,...
was demolished. Its operations were transferred to SLC-47.
In March 2010, the USAF 45th Space Wing
45th Space Wing
The 45th Space Wing is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It is also the host unit at Patrick AFB.-Overview:...
issued Real Property Licenses to Space Florida for Launch Complexes 36 and 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. On July 1, 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
approved a Launch Site Operator's License for commercial launches at Launch Complex 46.
On September 24, 2010, the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast was awarded a $500,000 Defense Infrastructure Grant from the State of Florida - to be used for critical communications upgrades at SLC-46.