Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A, Launch pad in Brevard County, US
Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A is a launch pad in Brevard County, United States, featuring a blockhouse, a tall service tower, and fueling facilities spread across the site. The platform was built to handle both large moon rockets and modern launch vehicles.
The facility was built in the 1960s to enable missions to the moon, with the first crewed landing departing from here in 1969. After the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, a private spaceflight company took over operations.
This launch site bears the name of the American president who initiated the moon program and now serves as the departure point for astronauts heading to orbit. Visitors can watch crews leave Earth from here during public launch events.
Tours are available only through organized groups departing from the visitor center, keeping a safe distance from the active facility. On launch days, special viewing locations are set up and should be reserved in advance.
The service tower moves on rails and rolls away from the rocket several meters before each launch. This design allows the same site to accommodate vehicles of different sizes.
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