Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37

Space Launch Complex 37
Delta IV Heavy lifts off from SLC-37B in June 2016 carrying NROL-37
Map
Launch siteCape Canaveral Space Force Station
Location28°31′55″N 80°34′01″W / 28.531986°N 80.566821°W / 28.531986; -80.566821
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)
UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Short nameSLC-37
OperatorUnited States Space Force
Total launches43
Orbital inclination
range		28° - 57°
LC-37A launch history
StatusDemolished
LaunchesNone
First launchUnused
Associated
rockets		Saturn I, Saturn IB
SLC-37B launch history
StatusInactive
Launches43
First launch29 January 1964
Saturn I (SA-5)
Last launch9 April 2024
Delta IV Heavy (NROL-70)
Associated
rockets		Proposed: Starship[1]
Retired: Saturn I, Saturn IB, Delta IV

Space Launch Complex 37[2][3] (SLC-37), previously Launch Complex 37 (LC-37), is a launch complex on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Construction began in 1959 and the site was accepted by NASA to support the Saturn I program in 1963.[4] The complex consists of two launch pads. LC-37A has never been used, but LC-37B launched uncrewed Saturn I flights (1964 to 1965) and was modified and launched Saturn IB flights (1966 to 1968), including the first (uncrewed) test of the Apollo Lunar Module in space (Apollo 5).[4] It was deactivated in 1972. In 2001 it was modified as the launch site for Delta IV, a launch system operated by United Launch Alliance.

The original layout of the launch complex featured one Mobile Service Structure which could be used to service or mate a rocket on either LC-37A or 37B, but not on both simultaneously. The Delta IV Mobile Service Tower is 330 ft (100 m) tall, and fitted to service all Delta IV configurations, including the Delta IV Heavy.[5] Plans are being proposed for SpaceX Starship operations from LC-37 in near future, as the Delta family's last rocket, i.e., Delta IV Heavy retired in April 2024.[1] The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the Federal Aviation Administration is due in December 2024, with a final study by September 2025.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Space Force Starship EIS – Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station". Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  2. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (1998-02-22). "Issue 350". Jonathan's Space Report. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2010-05-03. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
  3. ^ "Delta-IV Heavy to launch last DSP satellite". www.afspc.af.mil. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Complex 37 -- Cape Canaveral Air Station". Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org). 2000-06-16. Archived from the original on 2008-04-20. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  5. ^ "Boeing, Raytheon Top Off Nation's Newest Launch Tower". Boeing. March 2, 2000. Archived from the original on 2008-12-02.
  6. ^ Stone, Mark (2024-03-17). "Starship Coming to Florida". Hernando Sun. Retrieved 2024-04-14.