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Launch Complex 39A: A gateway to the stars
Kennedy Space CenterLaunch Complex 39A
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Contents
Quick overview
- Built in: Constructed between 1964 and 1968.
- Dimensions: Launch Complex 39A covers roughly 0.8 square kilometers (175 acres), which is about the size of 130 football fields. Its launch tower stands at 347 feet tall, roughly the height of a 34-story building.
- Total launches to date: Launch Complex 39A has supported 196 launches as of January 2025.
- Current Operator: SpaceX has been leasing and operating Launch Complex 39A since 2014, conducting missions with their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.
Key features
- Mobile launch platform: This massive structure carries rockets from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the pad while supplying them with power, fuel, and communication systems during launch preparations to ensure mission readiness.
- Flame trench: A concrete channel lined with heat-resistant bricks, it redirects rocket exhaust safely away from the pad and withstands extreme heat and pressure during launches.
- Fixed service structure: This multipurpose framework enables payload integration, provides access to critical systems, and includes platforms at various levels to support different rocket designs.
- Crew access arm: Added for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon missions, this retractable bridge allows astronauts to board their spacecraft safely while also providing quick evacuation capabilities in case of an emergency.
Notable Missions from Launch Complex 39A
The Apollo era: To the Moon and beyond
Launch Complex 39A was key to humanity’s journey to the Moon during the Apollo era. Eleven Saturn V rockets lifted off from here, including Apollo 11 in 1969, which landed the first humans on the Moon. This mission highlighted the innovation behind NASA’s space exploration efforts. Skylab missions also began here, paving the way for future space stations.
Space Shuttle days: A new chapter
When the Space Shuttle program started, Launch Complex 39A was upgraded to support it. It launched the first shuttle, Columbia, on STS-1 in 1981. Over the next three decades, the pad played a vital role in launching satellites, conducting research, and helping assemble the International Space Station. Its flexibility allowed it to adapt to new technologies, making it a cornerstone of NASA’s operations.
Enter SpaceX: The future takes off
In 2014, SpaceX took over Launch Complex 39A, marking a new era in space exploration. The pad hosted the first Falcon Heavy launch in 2018 and continues to support Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon missions. These launches have brought human spaceflight back to US soil and pushed forward commercial space exploration. Now, preparations are underway for SpaceX’s Starship program, which aims to take us to Mars and beyond.
What’s next for Launch Complex 39A
Launch Complex 39A remains at the forefront of space exploration. SpaceX is transforming the pad to support its fully reusable Starship rocket, designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As new technologies emerge, Launch Complex 39A will continue to serve as a launchpad for humanity’s greatest aspirations.
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Fun facts
- Launch Complex 39A sits on a 13-foot-high artificial hill to protect it from flooding, ensuring the site remains safe during high-water events.
- The crawlerway, a specialized path used to transport rockets to the launch pad, is lined with Tennessee River rock. This helps reduce vibrations and prevents any potential damage to the rockets as they’re moved.
- The pad's iconic sound suppression system, which helps reduce the noise generated during a rocket launch, uses thousands of gallons of water pumped onto the pad at high speeds, creating a thick cloud of steam.
- Launch Complex 39A is the first US launch pad to host a private company’s crewed spaceflight. SpaceX launched its Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in May 2020 from the pad.
- The pad’s original structure, including its massive steel tower, was repurposed by SpaceX, saving millions of dollars in construction costs while retaining a historic piece of space exploration history.
Frequently asked questions about Launch Complex 39A
Where can I see Launch Complex 39A?
You can view Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located at Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32899.
Can I see Launch Complex 39A up close?
While direct access is restricted, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Explore Tour provides excellent viewing opportunities of Launch Complex 39A. Book Explore Tour here.
What was the first launch from Launch Complex 39A?
The first launch was Apollo 4 in 1967, an uncrewed mission to test the Saturn V rocket.
Are Launch Complex 39A and 39B close to each other?
Yes, the two pads are about 2 miles apart within the Kennedy Space Center, allowing for simultaneous operations.
What rockets currently launch from Launch Complex 39A?
SpaceX uses Launch Complex 39A for Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and future Starship missions, supporting a range of activities from ISS resupply to Mars exploration.
