LAUNCH COMPLEX 5/6 FACT SHEET

By Cliff Lethbridge

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 2018

Aerial View Of Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 2018

LAUNCH COMPLEX 5/6

Configuration: Single Blockhouse, Two Launch Pads

LAUNCH PAD 5

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: July 19, 1956

Final Launch: July 21, 1961

Number of Launches: 24

Vehicles Launched: Jupiter A, Jupiter C, Jupiter, Juno I, Redstone, Juno II, Mercury-Redstone

LAUNCH PAD 6

Current Status: Inactive

First Launch: April 20, 1955

Final Launch: June 26, 1961

Number of Launches: 42

Vehicles Launched: Redstone, Jupiter A, Jupiter C, Jupiter

Launch Complex 5/6 was built in support of the Army Redstone and Jupiter missile development and testing programs. It was built at a cost of about $1.4 million, with construction beginning in 1954. The complex was accepted by the U.S. Government in July, 1955.

A single blockhouse served both Launch Pads 5 and 6. A series of rails supported a mobile service tower, which could serve both launch pads and could move under its own power. A smaller service tower was later added to the site to support Jupiter missile launches and its satellite-bearing relative, the Juno II.

Launch Pad 5 was the site of the launch of America’s first astronaut, Alan Shepard, on May 5, 1961. In honor of this and other Mercury launches, Launch Complex 5/6 was turned over to the Air Force Missile Test Center Office of Information on January 31, 1964 for incorporation into the proposed U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Museum. The complex was designated a National Historic Landmark in April, 1984.

Launch Complex 5/6 Blockhouse Circa 2020

Launch Complex 5/6 Blockhouse Circa 2020

Launch Complex 5/6 Blockhouse Circa 2020

Launch Complex 5/6 Blockhouse Circa 2020

Mercury-Redstone Rocket On Launch Pad 5 Circa 2020

Mercury-Redstone Rocket On Launch Pad 5 Circa 2020

Mercury-Redstone Following Hurricane Floyd Circa 1999

Mercury-Redstone Following Hurricane Floyd Circa 1999

Juno I Rocket On Launch Pad 6 From Launch Pad 5 Circa 1999

Juno I Rocket On Launch Pad 6 From Launch Pad 5 Circa 1999

Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1961

Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1961

Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1961

Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1961

Redstone Missile On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1961

Redstone Missile On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1961

Launch Pad 6 Circa 1961

Launch Pad 6 Circa 1961

Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1960

Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1960

Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 1960

Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 1960

Jupiter On Pad 6 (Right) Juno II On Pad 5 (Left) Circa 1959

Jupiter On Pad 6 (Right) Juno II On Pad 5 (Left) Circa 1959

Jupiter Missile On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1959

Jupiter Missile On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1959

Redstone Missile On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958

Redstone Missile On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958

Juno II On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958

Juno II On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958

Juno I On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958

Juno I On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958

Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 1958

Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 1958

Launch Complexes 5/6 And 26 Circa 1958

Launch Complexes 5/6 And 26 Circa 1958

Jupiter A On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1957

Jupiter A On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1957

Jupiter C On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1957

Jupiter C On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1957