LAUNCH COMPLEX 5/6 FACT SHEET
By Cliff Lethbridge
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
Mercury-Redstone Rocket On Launch Pad 5 Circa 2020
Mercury-Redstone Following Hurricane Floyd 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
Redstone Missile On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1961
Launch Pad 6 Circa 1961
Mercury-Redstone On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1960
Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 1960
Jupiter On Pad 6 (Right) Juno II On Pad 5 (Left) Circa 1959
Jupiter Missile On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1959
Redstone Missile On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958
Juno II On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958
Juno I On Launch Pad 5 Circa 1958
Launch Complex 5/6 Circa 1958
Launch Complexes 5/6 And 26 Circa 1958
Jupiter A On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1957
Jupiter C On Launch Pad 6 Circa 1957