Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 Facts for Kids

The Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 (LC-39) is a special place at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States. It's where giant rockets and space shuttles have launched into space!

This amazing site was first built for the Apollo program. That's when astronauts traveled to the Moon! Later, it was changed to launch the Space Shuttles. Today, Pad 39A is used by SpaceX to launch their powerful Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. Pad 39B is being updated for NASA's new Space Launch System rocket. A smaller pad, 39C, was added in 2015 for smaller rockets, but it's not used yet.

What is Launch Complex 39?
Important Parts of LC-39
Images for kids
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What is Launch Complex 39?

Launch Complex 39 is a huge area with two main launch pads, 39A and 39B. These pads are like giant platforms where rockets stand tall before they blast off. There are also many other buildings and systems needed to get a rocket ready for space.

How LC-39 was Built

Building LC-39 was a massive project. It started in the 1960s to support the Apollo missions. These missions aimed to send humans to the Moon. The pads needed to be incredibly strong to handle the power of the Saturn V rocket. The Saturn V was the biggest rocket ever built!

From Apollo to Space Shuttle

After the Apollo program ended, LC-39 was changed for the Space Shuttle program. The Space Shuttle was a reusable spacecraft that launched like a rocket but landed like an airplane. This meant new towers and equipment were needed at the pads.

LC-39 Today

Today, LC-39 is still a very busy place.

Pad 39A: This pad is now used by SpaceX. They launch their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets from here. These rockets carry satellites and even astronauts to the International Space Station.
Pad 39B: This pad is being prepared for NASA's next big rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). The SLS will carry astronauts on missions back to the Moon and maybe even to Mars!
Pad 39C: This is a newer, smaller pad. It was built for companies that want to launch smaller rockets.

Important Parts of LC-39

Launch Complex 39 has many important parts that help rockets launch safely.

Launch Pads

The launch pads themselves are huge concrete structures. They have flame trenches that direct the hot exhaust gases away from the rocket during launch. This protects the pad and the rocket from extreme heat.

Mobile Launcher

For the Space Launch System, a special "Mobile Launcher" is used. This is a giant tower that holds the rocket and spacecraft. It rolls out to the launch pad on a huge crawler-transporter.

Vehicle Assembly Building

Near LC-39 is the famous Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). This is one of the largest buildings in the world! Inside the VAB, different parts of rockets and spacecraft are put together. Once assembled, the rockets are moved to the launch pads.

Images for kids

Space Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Complex 39A
The doors to the White Room, where astronauts entered the Space Shuttle, at Launch Pad 39A.
M113 armored vehicles parked near LC-39. These were for astronaut escape in an emergency.
Ares I-X launches from LC-39B on October 28, 2009.
KSC Director Bob Cabana announces the Pad 39A lease agreement on April 14, 2014. SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell is nearby.
A map showing current and planned areas at Kennedy Space Center.
Space Shuttles Atlantis and Endeavour at LC-39A and LC-39B in May 2009. Endeavour was ready as a backup for Atlantis.
Removing the top part of the fixed service structure on LC-39B in March 2011.
A storage tank for liquid hydrogen fuel near Launch Pad 39B.
An artist's drawing of the Space Launch System Block 1 on LC-39B with the Orion spacecraft at sunrise.
The first Space Launch System rocket on LC-39B for the Artemis 1 mission.