Mobile Launcher Platform 2
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
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
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.