Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Launch Complex 39, Mobile Launcher Platforms, Launcher Road, East of Kennedy Parkway North, Cape Canaveral, Brevard County, FL
Summary
Significance: The three Mobile Launcher Platforms (MLPs) are considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criteria A and C in the areas of Space Exploration and Engineering, respectively. The period of significance for the MLPs is from 1980, when the first flight-ready Space Shuttle vehicle (SSV) was assembled in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) atop the MLP, through 2010, the designated end of the Space Shuttle Program. Because they have achieved significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. Under Criterion A, the MLPs are significant for their unique function in supporting build-up of the SSV in the VAB and transport of the vehicle to the launch pad. Under Criterion C, the MLPs were specially designed, built and modified to support launch vehicles. The MLP provides a base for the vertical integration and stacking of the complete SSV, which is connected to the platform solely through the eight Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) hold-down posts. Each MLP is designed to carry the weight of a fueled shuttle, or 13.72 million pounds. Once complete, the SSV and MLP are rolled out to the launch pad on one of two Crawler Transporters. During launch, a series of explosions breaks the SRB connections, allowing the shuttle lift off from the platform.
Survey number: HAER FL-8-11-D
Building/structure dates: after. 1962- before. 1969 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1976 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1983 Subsequent Work
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 73000568
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