Mobile Launcher Platform 2

Space Shuttle Discovery rolls out of the VAB atop MLP-2, ahead of STS-120

Mobile Launcher Platform 2 or MLP-2, formerly Mobile Launcher 2 or ML-2 is one of three Mobile Launcher Platforms used at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was used for Saturn V and Saturn INT-21 launches, and was subsequently used by the Space Shuttle.

Saturn

Launch of Skylab from ML-2 at LC-39A

MLP-2 was originally constructed in 1964 as a Mobile Launcher for the Saturn V rocket, and was designated ML-2, or LUT-2. It was built by Ingalls Iron Works.[1] The swing arms, which were constructed by Hayes International were added at a later date.

Following completion, ML-2 was used for the unmanned Apollo 6 mission, followed by three manned Apollo launches; Apollo 9, Apollo 12 and Apollo 14. It was subsequently used for the launch of Skylab on a Saturn INT-21 in 1973.

Space Shuttle

Following the launch of Skylab, ML-2 was the second of the Mobile Launchers to be converted for use by the Space Shuttle. The Launch Umbilical Tower was dismantled and partially reassembled to become the LC-39B[2] Fixed Service Structure (FSS), and the base of the launch platform was modified to accommodate the locations of engines on the Shuttle. The platform was redesignated MLP-2.

In total, MLP-2 has been used for forty four Shuttle launches, starting in 1983. All of the orbiters except Columbia made their maiden flights from MLP-2. It was also the launch site for the ill-fated STS-51L mission, when Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated shortly after launch, killing all seven crew.

Launch history

Date/Time (GMT) Rocket Mission Remarks
4 April 1968, 12:00 Saturn V SA-502 Apollo 6 Unmanned test flight
3 March 1969, 16:00 Saturn V SA-504 Apollo 9 Manned test flight
14 November 1969, 16:22 Saturn V SA-507 Apollo 12 Manned lunar landing
31 January 1971, 21:03 Saturn V SA-509 Apollo 14 Manned lunar landing
14 May 1973, 17:30 Saturn INT-21 SA-513 Skylab Space station
4 April 1983, 18:30:00 Space Shuttle Challenger STS-6 TDRS deployment, maiden flight of Challenger
August 30, 1983, 06:32:00 Space Shuttle Challenger STS-8
February 3, 1984, 13:00:00 Space Shuttle Challenger STS-41B
30 August 1984, 12:41:50 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-41D Maiden flight of Discovery
November 8, 1984, 12:15:00 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-51A
April 29, 1985, 16:02:18 Space Shuttle Challenger STS-51B
July 29, 1985, 21:00:00 Space Shuttle Challenger STS-51F
3 October 1985, 15:15:30 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-51J Maiden flight of Atlantis
27 November 1985, 00:29:00 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-61B
January 28, 1986, 16:38:00 Space Shuttle Challenger STS-51L Disintegrated during ascent to orbit
29 September 1988, 15:37:00 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-26
13 March 1989, 14:57:00 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-29
8 August 1989, 12:37:00 Space Shuttle Columbia STS-28
23 November 1989, 00:23:30 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-33
24 April 1990, 12:33:51 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-31
6 October 1990, 11:47:15 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-41
28 April 1991, 11:33:14 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-39
7 May 1992, 23:40:00 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-49 Maiden flight of Endeavour
12 September 1992, 14:23:00.0680 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-47
13 January 1993, 13:59:30 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-54
21 June 1993, 13:07 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-57
2 December 1993, 09:27:00 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-61
9 April 1994, 11:05 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-59
9 September 1994, 22:22:35 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-64
3 February 1995, 05:22:04 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-63
13 July 1995, 13:41:55.078 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-70
12 November 1995, 12:30:43.071 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-74
22 March 1996, 08:13:04 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-76
12 January 1997, 09:27:23 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-81
15 May 1997, 09:07:48.62 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-84
26 September 1997, 02:34:19 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-86
17 April 1998 18:19 Space Shuttle Columbia STS-90
29 October 1998, 19:19:34 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-95
27 May 1999, 10:49:42 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-96
20 December 1999 00:50:00 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-103
8 September 2000, 12:45:47 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-106
7 February 2001, 23:13 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-98
12 July 2001, 09:04 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-104
1 March 2002 11:22:02 Space Shuttle Columbia STS-109
23 November 2002, 00:49:47 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-113
9 September 2006, 15:14:55 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-115
8 June 2007, 23:38:04 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-117
23 October 2007, 15:38:19 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-120
11 March 2008, 06:28:14 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-123
11 May 2009, 18:01:56 Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-125 Hubble servicing mission
16 May 2011, 12:56:28 Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-134

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Benson, Charles D; Faherty, William B. "The Swing-Arm Controversy". Moonport: A History of Apollo Launch Facilities and Operations. NASA History Office. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  2. ↑ Weitering, Hanneke. "In Photos: NASA's Historic Launch Pad 39A, from Apollo to Shuttle to SpaceX". space.com.

  • McDowell, Jonathan. "Saturn V". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  • McDowell, Jonathan. "STS". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-03-26.

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