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DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR LAUNCH COMPLEX 18,

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

Prepared For:

Florida State Historic Preservation Office R.A. Gray Building, 4th Floor 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Prepared By:

45TH Space Wing, U. S. Air Force Natural Assets Element (45CES/CEAN)

1224 Jupiter Street, MS-9125 Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 32925

____________________________________

Thomas E. Penders Archaeologist/Cultural Resources Manager

45 CES/CEAN 45 Space Wing USAF

September 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................. iii

LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... vi

LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... viii

ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................... ix

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. xi

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Project Location ..................................................................................................... 1

2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW ........................................................................... 3

2.1 Brevard County Environmental Conditions ........................................................... 3

2.2 Project Area Environmental Conditions. ............................................................... 4

3.0 METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Historical Research ................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Determination of Eligibility .................................................................................... 7

4.0 HISTORICAL CONTEXT ........................................................................................ 8

4.1 The Cold War (1946-1991) ..................................................................................... 8

4.2 History of CCAFS and PAFB ............................................................................... 12

5.0 HISTORY OF LAUNCH COMPLEX 18 ............................................................... 16

5.1 Complex Construction and Development ............................................................. 17

5.1.1 Associated Facilities .................................................................................... 19

5.2 Missile Programs at Launch Complex 18 ............................................................. 20

Table of Contents iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page 5.2.1 Viking ............................................................................................................ 20

5.2.2 Vanguard ....................................................................................................... 22

5.2.3 Thor ............................................................................................................... 24

5.2.4 Scout .............................................................................................................. 27

5.2.4.1 Blue Scout I ....................................................................................... 27

5.2.4.2 Blue Scout II ...................................................................................... 29

5.2.4.3 Blue Scout Jr ..................................................................................... 30

6.0 LAUNCH COMPLEX 18 FACILITIES ................................................................. 32

6.1 Facility 24401-Launch Complex 18 Blockhouse (8BR2144) ............................... 33

6.2 Facility 24448-Electrical Switch Station (8BR2938) ........................................... 35

6.3 Facility 24450-Storage Building (8BR2939) ........................................................ 37

6.4 Facility 24445-Paint Storage Building (8BR2940) ............................................... 39

6.5 Launch Complex 18 LOX and JP-4 Fuel Storage Area ........................................ 40

6.6 Launch Complex 18A ........................................................................................... 42

6.6.1 Launch Pad 18A (8BR2941) ........................................................................ 42

6.6.2 LC-18A Sluice and Basin ............................................................................ 43

6.6.3 LC-18A Launch Stand ................................................................................. 44

6.6.4 LC-18A Umbilical Tower ............................................................................ 45

6.6.5 Facility 24403-LC-18A Electrical Distribution Building (8BR2942) ......... 46

6.6.6 LC-18A Mobile Service Tower Rail System (8BR2944) ............................ 47

6.6.7 LC-18A Rocket Service Shop ...................................................................... 48

6.6.8 Blue Scout Jr. Launch Structure................................................................... 48

6.6.9 Blue Scout Jr. Movable Shelter Tracks (8BR2945) ..................................... 48

6.6.10 LC-18A Instrumentation Trench (8BR2944) ............................................. 50

6.7 Launch Complex 18B ........................................................................................... 51

6.7.1 Launch Pad 18B (8BR2946) ........................................................................ 51

6.7.2 LC-18B Scale Pit.......................................................................................... 52

Table of Contents iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

6.7.3 Facility 24405-Storage Area (8BR2948) .................................................... 53

6.7.4 LC-18B Electrical Distribution Building (8BR2947) ................................. 54

6.7.5 De-LOX Pumping Station (8BR2482) ........................................................ 55

6.7.6 LC-18B Mobile Service Tower Tracks (8BR2949) .................................... 56

6.7.7 LC-18B Instrumentation Trench (8BR2950) .............................................. 57

6.7.8 LC-18B Helium Line Trench (8BR2951) ................................................... 57

7.0 DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY ................................................................ 58

8.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................... 61

8.1 Summary ............................................................................................................. 61

8.2 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 61

9.0 REFERENCES CITED ........................................................................................... 62

APPENDICES

Appendix A Historic Photographs .................................................................................... A

Appendix B Current Photographs ...................................................................................... B

Appendix C As-Built Drawings ......................................................................................... C

Appendix D Florida Master Site File Forms ..................................................................... D

Table of Contents v

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

Figure 1. Location of the project area in Brevard County, Florida………………………..2

Figure 2. USGS map indicating the location of the subject property ................................. 3

Figure 3. Current aerial photograph indicating the project area and current conditions .... 5

Figure 4. Map of Cold War Europe .................................................................................. 10

Figure 5. Eastern Test Range ca. 1957 .............................................................................. 13

Figure 6. Launch of Bumper 8, July 24, 1950 ................................................................... 14

Figure 7. Launch complexes on CCAFS ........................................................................... 15

Figure 8. Sheet from original as-built drawings showing LC-18 as originally constructed ......................................................................................................... 17

Figure 9. Aerial photograph from 1960 of LC-18............................................................. 19

Figure 10. Facilities associated with launch programs at LC-18 ...................................... 20

Figure 11. Viking missile awaiting launch in 1956 ........................................................... 21

Figure 12. Photograph from 1958 of a Vanguard missile on the pad at LC-18A ............. 23

Figure 13. Thor missile on LC-18B pad, June 1958 ......................................................... 25

Figure 14. Blue Scout I on LC-18B, July 1961 ................................................................. 29

Figure 15. Blue Scout II on LC-18B, March 1961 ............................................................ 30

Figure 16. Blue Scout Jr launch from LC-18A in 1960 .................................................... 31

Figure 17. Launch Complex 18 Resource Group............................................................. 32

Figure 18. View to the northwest of LC-18 Blockhouse from 1959 ................................ 33

Figure 19. View to the southwest of the LC-18 Blockhouse after invasive species removal in 2010............................................................................................... 35

Figure 20. Excerpt from 1958 aerial photograph of LC-18 showing Facility 24448 ....... 36

Figure 21. View to the southeast of Facility 24448 .......................................................... 36

Figure 22. Excerpt from 1960 photograph of LC-18 with Facility 24450 in the

background ....................................................................................................... 38

Figure 23. View to the southeast of Facility 24450 .......................................................... 38

Figure 24. View to the south of Facility 24445 ................................................................ 40

List of Figures vi

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

Figure 25. Photograph of LC-18A looking south with the LOX and JP-4 storage

areas in the background ................................................................................... 41

Figure 26. Aerial photograph showing the former LOX and JP-4 storage areas .............. 41

Figure 27. View to the northwest of LC-18A from 1960 ................................................. 42

Figure 28. Photograph from May 1958 showing the components of LC-18A ................. 43

Figure 29. Current aerial photograph showing the components of LC-18A .................... 44

Figure 30. View to the northwest of Vanguard Test Flight 438 from 1958 which

Shows the launch stand and UT ...................................................................... 45

Figure 31. View to the northeast of Facility 24403 .......................................................... 46

Figure 32. View to the northeast of the MST Tracks ........................................................ 47

Figure 33. Photograph from 1964 showing the movable shelter used for the Blue

Scout Jr. .......................................................................................................... 49

Figure 34. View to the southwest of the Blue Scout Jr. movable shelter tracks ............... 49

Figure 35. View to the northeast of the LC-18A Instrumentation Trench ........................ 50

Figure 36. View to the southwest of LC-18B from 1958 ................................................. 51

Figure 37. Current aerial photograph showing the components of LC-18B ..................... 52

Figure 38. View to the southwest of the Scale Pit and Facility 24405 .................................

Figure 39. View to the east of Facility 24404 ................................................................... 54

Figure 40. View to the southeast of the De-LOX Pumping Station ................................. 55

Figure 41. View to the west of the LC-18B MST tracks .................................................. 56

Figure 42. View to the southeast of the LC-18B Instrumentation Trench ........................ 57

Figure 43. View to the east of the LC-18B Helium Line Trench ..................................... 58

List of Figures vii

LIST OF TABLES

Tables Page

Table 1. Launch History of Viking Missiles from Launch Complex 18 .......................... 22

Table 2 Launch History of Vanguard Missiles from Launch Complex 18 ...................... 24

Table 3. Launch History of Thor Missiles at Launch Complex 18 ................................... 26

Table 4. Launch History of the Scout Missile Series from Launch Complex 18 ............. 28

Table 5. NRHP Eligibility for Launch Complex 18 ........................................................ 60

List of Tables viii

ACRONYMS

Acronym Definition

ACES Automated Civil Engineering System

ACI Archaeological Consultants, Inc.

AFB Air Force Base

ASTM American Society of Testing and Materials

BIGs Basic Information Guide

BR Brevard County

BRNAS Banana River Naval Air Station

CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

CERL United States Army Construction Engineering

Research Laboratory

CES/CEAN Civil Engineering Squadron/Environmental

Planning Division

CES/CEVR Civil Engineering Squadron/Restoration Division

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CIA Central Intelligence Agency

CM Centimeter(s)

CMBS Centimeters Below Surface

COTAR Correlation Tracking and Ranging

DNR Department of Natural Resources

ELSSE Electronic Sky Screen Equipment

FAC Facility

FDHR Division of Historical Resources

FDOT Florida Department of Transportation

FMSF Florida Master Site File

FS Florida Statute, Field Specimen

FT Foot, Feet

FY Fiscal Year

Acronyms ix

ACRONYMS

Acronym Definition

HA Hectare

HABS Historic American Buildings Survey

HAER Historic American Engineering Record

HETS Hyper Environmental Test System

ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

ICRMP Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan

IGY International Geophysical Year

IN Inch/Inches

IRBM Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

JLRPG Joint Long Range Proving Ground

JDMTA Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex

JP-4 Jet Propellant #4

KG Kilograms

KM Kilometer(s)

KT Kiloton

LBS Pounds

LC Launch Complex

LOX Liquid Oxygen

LRPG Long Range Proving Ground

M Meter(s)

MAD Mutual Assured Destruction

MI Mile(s)

MM Millimeters

MTA Malabar Tracking Annex

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NAS Naval Air Station

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Acronyms x

ACRONYMS

Acronym Definition

NE Northeast

NHL National Historic Landmark

NM Nautical Mile

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

NRL Naval Research Laboratory

NW Northwest

PAFB Patrick Air Force Base

PANAM Pan American Airways

SLV Satellite Launch Vehicle

SW Southwest

T Ton

TV Test Vehicle

USAF United States Air Force

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USDI United States Department

USGS United States Geological Survey

USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Acronyms xi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Upon review of several documents pertaining to cultural resources at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station (CCAFS) it was determined that an adequate assessment had not been

conducted to determine if Launch Complex 18 and/or the facilities within were eligible for

listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Civil Engineering

Squadron/Environmental and Natural Resources Division (CES/CEAN), 45th Space Wing (45

SW) conducted a survey in 2012 to determine if the complexes were eligible based upon their

historic use. If needed, an architectural assessment will be conducted at a future date. The

project was conducted in June 2012.

This study utilized methodology that complied with Section 106 of the National

Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended by Public Law 89-665; the Archaeological and

Historic Preservation Act, as amended by Public Law 93-291; Executive Order 11593; and

Chapters 267 and 337, Florida Statutes. All work was carried out in conformity with the

standards contained in The Historic Preservation Compliance Review Program of the Florida

Department of State, Division of Historical Resources Manual (Tesar 1990) and Cultural

Resources Management Standards and Operations Manual (FDHR 2002). The Principal

Investigator for this project meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for

Archaeology and Historic Preservation (36 CFR, Part 66, Appendix C).

Based on the research, Launch Complex 18 is an important resource due to its

relationship to the Cold War. While it had a role in the missile race with the USSR it was a

minor one. The complex was abandoned in place in 1967 and many of the components that

would have made it significant have been demolished. Today the complex is used to store

material including chemical toilets while the LC-18B area is being used by the corrosion

control/paint shop as an outdoor sandblasting and painting facility for mid-to-large size metal

objects. While the complex is worthy of documentation only the blockhouse is NRHP

eligible. It is has been incorporated into the Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan

and CCAFS General Plan for preservation.

Executive Summary xii

DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR LAUNCH COMPLEX 18,

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background

Upon review of several documents pertaining to cultural resources at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station (CCAFS) it was determined that an adequate assessment had not been conducted to

determine if Launch Complex 18 and/or the facilities within were eligible for listing on the

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Civil Engineering Squadron/Environmental

and Natural Assets Division (CES/CEAN), 45th Space Wing (45 SW) conducted a survey in June

2012 to determine if the complexes were eligible based upon their historic use. If needed, an

architectural assessment will be conducted at a future date.

This study utilized methodology that complied with Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act of 1966, as amended by Public Law 89-665; the Archaeological and Historic

Preservation Act, as amended by Public Law 93-291; Executive Order 11593; and Chapters 267

and 337, Florida Statutes. All work was carried out in conformity with the standards contained in

The Historic Preservation Compliance Review Program of the Florida Department of State,

Division of Historical Resources Manual (Tesar 1990) and Cultural Resources Management

Standards and Operations Manual (Florida Division of Historical Resources [FDHR] 2002). The

Principal Investigator for this project meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and

Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (36 CFR, Part 66, Appendix C).

1.1 Project Location

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is located north of the city of Cape Canaveral on the

east coast of Florida in Brevard County (Figure 1). Geographically, it is located on the Canaveral

Peninsula which is a barrier island approximately 249 kilometers (km) or 155 miles (mi) (south

of Jacksonville, 338 km (210 mi) north of Miami, and approximately 96 km (60 mi) east of

Orlando. The northern boundary of CCAFS abuts the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) boundary on

Station is separated from KSC by the Banana River. The Atlantic Ocean borders CCAFS along

A Determination of Eligibility for Launch Complex 18, CCAFS, Brevard County, Florida 1

45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida

Figure 1. Location of the project area in Brevard County, Florida (Zeil 2012).

its eastern margin. In total, the base occupies approximately or 6,394 hectares (ha) or 15,800

acres (ac)

Launch Complex 18 (LC-18) is located west of Lighthouse Road on Flight Control Road,

between LC-17 to the south and LCs 9/10 and 31/32 to the north (Figure 1). The legal

description of the property is the SE ¼ of Section 30 and NE ¼ of Section 31, Township 24

South, Range 38 East of the Cape Canaveral, United States Geological Survey (USGS 1984)

Quadrangle Map (Figure 2).



Figure 2. USGS map indicating the location of the subject property (USGS 1984).

2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW

2.1 Brevard County Environmental Conditions

Brevard County lies in the coastal lowlands physiographic region and is less than 20 m

(64 ft) above sea level. The climate is subtropical with hot humid summers and mild winters.

Average rainfall is 53 inches (in) or 135 centimeters (cm) a year with the peak rainy season

during the summer months. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1974 indicated there

are four parallel geological features that parallel the coast: Pleistocene Talbot escarpment, Ten-

Mile Ridge, Atlantic Coastal Ridge and the barrier island. Four distinctive environmental

features are situated between the geological features and have been identified as the ocean

Project Area


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida coastal strand, Indian River estuarine lagoon system, "Pamlico wetlands" and St. Johns Area

(Huckle et al. 1974: 1-2).

The Indian River lagoon is situated between the barrier island/coastal strand and the

Atlantic Coastal Ridge. This area is comprised of rows of relict dune ridges with vegetation

consisting of sea oats, saw palmetto, scrub oaks, sea grapes, wax myrtle, lantana and bay cedar.

The Atlantic Coastal Ridge runs the length of the county and forms a natural division between

the Indian River and St. Johns River ecosystems. Landscape of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge

consists of dune ridges oriented parallel to the lagoon system and coast with wet swales in

between. These swales contain many ponds, lakes and narrow sloughs (Huckle et al. 1974: 1-2).

The "Pamlico Wetlands" is an area between the Atlantic Coastal ridge to the east and Ten-Mile

Ridge to the west. Between these two ridges the landscape consists of pine flatwoods, numerous

ponds, lakes, and sloughs. The St. Johns Area consists of a marsh zone is part of the floodplain

found on both sides of the St. Johns River and is filled with a series of lakes, sloughs, hammocks,

cypress domes, ponds and hardwood swamps. This marsh is bordered by a sandy prairie (also

part of the floodplain) and is primarily grass, palmetto and low shrubs. Pine and cabbage palm

flatwoods are the adjacent zone to the sandy prairie and are nearly level and poorly drained.

They tie together wet prairies, marshes, sand hills, hammocks, scrub areas, bay heads, and

cypress domes. Throughout this region are oak palm hammocks found on relict dune ridges and

scattered ponds, lakes, swamps, and sloughs (Huckle et al. 1974).

2.2 Project Area Environmental Conditions

The project area is located at the southeastern corner of CCAFS. In general the project

area is an open flat parcel that is occasionally mowed. Native vegetation is returning and

overtaking the once planted sod. Native vegetation includes cacti, palmetto, sea grasses, sea oats,

palms, and typical barrier island plant species. Launch Complex 18 contains paved and unpaved

roads, parking areas, broad flat concrete pads, underground trenches and utility rooms, and two

launch pads. Launch Pad A (LC-18A) is located at the north end of the complex and is

abandoned in place. It is being used to store concrete poles and metal objects. Launch Pad B

(LC-18B) is being used by the Base Operations Contractor as a painting and corrosion control

facility. This includes paint booths, sand blasting areas, and storage facilities. The blockhouse is



Figure 3. Current aerial photograph indicating the project area and current conditions.

abandoned in place and sits vacant. A storage building is located immediately west of the

blockhouse. The parking lot adjacent to the complex entrance is being used as s staging area for

chemical toilets. A general overview of conditions is documented in Figure 3.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

At CCAFS the term “facility” has historically referred to any area, facility, or structure

designated with a number and used for a specific purpose or activity. In order to avoid potential

future confusion among USAF personnel who may be reviewing this document and

implementing further assessment based on its recommendations, it was decided to continue using

the term “facility” in its historical CCAFS context, rather than employing a more generic term.

For consistency, the term “facility” will be used throughout this document when officially

referring to the numbered designation for a structure.

LAUNCH COMPLEX 18


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 3.1 Historical Research

A review of the literature was performed as the first step in preparation of the

archaeological and historical study. Copies of historical survey reports for Brevard County and

the project area were obtained from the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) of the Bureau of

Archaeological Research (BAR) in Tallahassee. The reports were reviewed to become familiar

with the current state of research for the site area and Brevard County. Archaeological

publications for the area were reviewed and literature searches were also conducted at the

Tebeau Field Library of Florida History and University of Central Florida for documents and

references that may have relevance to the project area. The files of the Brevard County Historical

Society, Brevard County Planning Office, Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office, and

Tebeau Library of Florida History were reviewed for the parcels and adjoining parcels. This

research included land records, maps, genealogical records, historic documents, and aerial

photographs of the area. A search was conducted of the Title and Records Section, Florida

Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for historic records and information from

previous surveys conducted in the project area. Additional research included research of the

Historic American Building Survey (HABS) and Historic American Engineering Record

(HAER) database for historic properties. Other databases used include historical Florida

Department of Transportation (FDOT) aerials, historical structures, and topographic maps. The

standards set forth in the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice

for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (E-1527-00) were also utilized for this project. This

includes a conducting reviewing at least one aerial photograph dating back at least 50 years and

in intervals of 10-15 years, review of floodplain maps, wetland maps, construction documents,

Soil Conservation Service county soil books, interviews, and general public records.

A review was conducted of historical CCAFS maps from 1958, 1968, 1973, 1983, 1992,

and 2002. The CCAFS Basic Information Guides (BIGs) from 1959, 1960, 1962, 1979, 1993 and

1996 were also reviewed. BIGs are manuals that document the construction date, square footage,

location, ownership, occupants, and basic use of PAFB facilities. Construction plans were

reviewed for information on the original use and configuration of the buildings.


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 3.2 Determination of Eligibility

The 45 SW CRM adapted the methodology developed in 1995 for the assessment of Cold

War resources for Air Force Combat Command (Lewis et al. 1995). The priority ranking matrix

is an equation developed to determine if a property is NRHP eligible. The equation used by

Lewis et al. (1995) was adapted as follows:

1. Relationship of a particular resource to the role the base played in the Cold War.

Resources were ranked from highest to lowest based on:

a. Direct Cold War relationship: through being part of the technological advance

important to the base, or through a significant association with an event or

important figure.

b. Indirect Cold War relationship: includes resources that are part of the two

periods that may relay information about local history, construction

technology, or local persons of importance.

c. No direct relationship to the Cold War but are of the period.

d. Resources that may be important in their own right but are not of the period.

2. Level of importance of a particular property:

a. Premier: is a property that has major importance in identifying the base’s role

within the national Cold War context or has a major importance with respect

to science, theories or ideas.

b. High: is a property that has importance to the base’s role although not

necessarily at the national level.

c. Medium: properties that have limited importance in the individual base Cold



War context.

d. Low: does not reflect Cold War or the period.

In addition, a systematic surface reconnaissance was conducted of the property. The

purpose of the survey was to confirm the research that LC-18 and/or facilities within the

complexes were subject to the NRHP criteria (Andrus et al. 1992; Derry et al. 1985; O’Donnell

1998; Seifert et al. 1997; Sherfy and Luce 1996; Townsend et al. 1993; United States

Department of Interior [USDI] 1997, 1998). A brief outline of the basic criteria is:

Criteria A: Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the

broad patterns of our history.

Criteria B: Associated with the lives of significant persons in or past.

Criteria C: Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of

construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high

artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity

whose components may lack individual distinction.

Criteria D: Have yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in history or

prehistory.

4.0 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

4.1 The Cold War (1946-1991)

The start and end of the Cold War has been debated by historians. Some suggest it began

in the 1945-1948 timeframe, and ended in 1989, having been a dispute over the division of

Europe. For others, Cold War began in 1917 with the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, and ended

in 1991 with the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR or Soviet Union),

having been a conflict between Bolshevism and Democracy. The most widely accepted date for

the start of the Cold War was at the end of World War II (1945). For the purposes of this paper it


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida ended with the fall of the USSR in 1991. The term "Cold War" was first used in 1947 by Bernard

Baruch, senior advisor to US President Harry Truman, in reference to the frequently occurring

crises between the United States and the USSR (Bair 2003; Global Secuity.org 2012; Mannino

1999; Mark 2005; Park 1986).

The beginning of the Cold War was marked when much of Europe was devastated by

years of warfare during World War II. By the end of World War II approximately 36.5 million

Europeans had died in the conflict and millions were homeless. Refugee camps and rationing

dominated much Europe. The United States wanting to realize free elections and free trade were

committed to helping Europe recover from the war. Communists aided by the USSR were

threatening elected governments across Europe. The first few years of the early Cold War

(between 1945 and 1948), the conflict was more political than military. This changed in February

1948 when the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, with covert backing from the USSR,

overthrew the government in that country. Then, in reaction to the democratic consolidation of

West Germany, the USSR blockaded Allied-controlled West Berlin in a bid to consolidate their

hold on the German capital (Bair 2003; Global Secuity.org 2012; Mannino 1999; Mark 2005;

Park 1986).

During the Cold War Soviet leaders doctrine was wanted to prepare the way for the final

triumph of Communism, to assure the military security of the USSR by keeping down the

defeated Germany, and by creating in Eastern Europe governments they considered friendly.

These countries would also form a buffer between USSR and the west in the event of a war

(NATO 2011; Park 1986; Wade 2005). The “Iron Curtain”, a phrase coined by Winston

Churchill in 1946 discussing Soviet domination in Eastern Europe, became a reality in the form

of border defenses between the countries of western and eastern Europe. The wall that divided

East and West Berlin became the most well known section of this dividing line.

To prevent the consolidation of Europe under the USSR, Washington opposed any spread

of Soviet influence into Western Europe, the Middle East, or the Far East. It was during this

time that the US joined Canada and the western European countries in the North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO) which was founded to deter Soviet expansionism, forbid the revival of



Figure 4. Map of Cold War Europe (Zeil 2012).

nationalist militarism in Europe such as was seen in Germany and Italy during World War II, and

encourage European political integration (NATO 2011; Park 1986). By 1952, the Cold War map

of east versus west in Europe had been drawn (Figure 4).

In the early years, the forces of the USSR stationed in East Germany could have easily

overrun Western Europe by sheer numbers of troops. But as the western allies’ strength grew,

Soviet offensive action would have required considerable augmentation of their forces stationed

in East Germany with reserve formations from within the USSR. It was thought if those forces

could be prevented from reaching the front line of any offensive action the odds for stopping a

Soviet attack would be less formidable. So the US doctrine during the early years of the Cold

War was to use missile and air warfare systems to attack both frontline and rear troops and to

destroy rear area (USSR) logistical assets (Bair 2003; Mark 2005; Park 1986). The official

nuclear policy became of the United States was one of "massive retaliation", as coined by

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, which called for

massive attack against the Soviet Union if they were to invade Europe, regardless of whether it

was a conventional or a nuclear attack. This later developed into the doctrine of Mutual Assured


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida Destruction (MAD) which assumes that each side has enough nuclear weaponry to destroy the

other side; and that either side, if attacked for any reason by the other, would retaliate without

fail with equal or greater force resulting in mutual, total and assured destruction. The payoff of

the MAD doctrine was expected to be a tense but stable global peace. Except for direct

confrontations with the USSR during the Cold War with the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) and the

closest we came to a real war with the USSR during the Able Archer Exercise in 1983. The US

and USSR typically opposed each other in a series of proxy wars such as the Korean War (1950-

1953), Vietnam War (1957-1975), and the civil wars in Angola, El Salvador, and Nicaragua

(1970s-1980s).

Within this escalating tension between the US and USSR, that the Soviet Union

demonstrated its military and space technological advantage in 1957 with the launch of the their

first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and their satellites Sputinik1 and 2. The Sputnik

launches greatly increased the attention of Congress and the general public on the issues of

technology and space capabilities. This led to a generalized fear that we were lagging behind the

Soviets and funding to military and space programs were increased to catch up. This gap, known

as the “missile gap” was the perception that deployed Soviet missiles was significantly greater

than the number deployed by the United States. Throughout the late 1950s and 1960, the missile

gap became a US presidential campaign platform and to pump funding into our military and

space programs (Bair 2003; Mark 2005).

A recently declassified document best illustrates the tension and paranoia exhibited

during this time. The US space program, from the Soviet point of view, described Project

Mercury as a means to place human occupied armed satellites into space and the manned lunar

program as a means to establish a base on the moon to attack the USSR (Korenevskiy 1961).

Meanwhile, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) declassified documents from 1959 and 1965

show the missile gap was not as large as previously believed and that their missile and space

programs were having series difficulties (CIA 1959, 1965). In fact, recent estimates indicated the

US had more nuclear ICBM’s than the USSR until 1978 (Norris and Kristensen 2006). However,

one must not lose sight of the fact that during the 1950s and 1960s there was a real fear of

communist domination of the world which led to our missile and space programs.



The development of these missile and space programs required a huge investment of

resources and money by the US government on a scale never seen in the history of this country

to promote technology and science to counter the perceived advancements by the USSR. As the

launching site for a majority of the U.S. missile and space programs, both military and civilian,

CCAFS played a critical role during the Cold War. This era in history, spanning roughly from

1946 to 1989, pitted the ideologies, economies, technologies, and military power of the United

States and the Soviet Union against each other. This struggle originated in Europe but eventually

spread around the globe. The defining feature of the Cold War was the massive arms race that

developed between the Soviet Union and the United States. This arms race relied heavily on

constantly advancing technology. The Soviet Union and the United States both developed

massive missile and space programs after World War II. Although military and political goals

fueled the early missile and space efforts of the United States, one important offshoot of these

efforts was the emergence of a separate civilian space program. The civilian space program,

which included both manned and unmanned missions, grew alongside and benefited from the

military missile and space programs. The military programs, in turn, also benefited from the

successes of the civilian space program.

4.2 History of CCAFS and PAFB

With the exception of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, all extant buildings and structures

are related to the military period (after 1940 for Patrick Air Force Base [PAFB] and after 1950

for CCAFS). The few earlier buildings left standing after the military arrived were eventually

demolished. Neither installation was a static entity; facilities are periodically changed, reused, or

demolished. As technical operations are updated, parts of facilities have been adapted, sold for

scrap, or salvaged for use on other structures. PAFB was initially developed in 1940 as the Naval

Air Station, Banana River (BRNAS).

Banana River NAS faced closure in 1947, but in 1948 the Navy transferred it to the

jurisdiction of the Air Force as a base for the Joint Long-Range Proving Ground (JLRPG) to be

used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The gradual advancement of the U.S. missile research

program made a testing range necessary, and the National Security Act of 1947 gave the newly-

created Department of the Air Force the responsibility of implementing the recommendations of



Figure 5. Eastern Test Range ca. 1957 (45 SW, USAF).

the Joint Research and Development Board. The Florida site was recommended for missile

testing because off-shore bases were available for downrange observation stations, and the length

of the range could be extended as the distances increased. Other factors included a suitable

launching site at Cape Canaveral with good climate, as well as undeveloped sparsely-settled land

which was isolated enough to minimize harm to nearby communities (Barton and Levy 1984;

Cleary 1991; McCarthy et al. 1993; Penders 2011).

In 1950, the joint operation was discontinued and the installation was designated the

LRPG with the status of major Air Command. Agreements with the British government in 1950

permitted a 1,609 kilometer (km) or 1,000 mile (mi) range (Figure 5), and later extensions

brought the range the range 7,081 km (4,400 mi) to Ascension Island and eventually to the

Indian Ocean. Construction of the first missile launch pads and support facilities at the Cape,

along with new roads and downrange tracking stations, was begun in 1950. These early

structures proved limited in keeping up with the technical demands of rapidly changing missile

technology, and by the 1960s launch facilities were developed with a greater degree of flexibility

to support operational changes. The tremendous amount of construction activity in the 1950s also

resulted in new administrative and technical facilities at PAFB. In 1951 a draft LRPG Master



Figure 6. Launch of Bumper 8, July 24, 1950 (45 SW History Office)

Plan was released, and major base improvements were begun at PAFB. During this early Cold

War period, operational and support buildings were related to the active programs of research

and testing new missile systems. Facility 312, PAFB's assembly site for the Matador missile,

was secured as the first restricted area on the base (Barton and Levy 1984; Cleary 1991;

McCarthy et al. 1993; Penders 2011).

The first missile, a German V-2 rocket with an Army WAC Corporal second stage, was

launched from the Cape on July 24, 1950 (Figure 6). During the next three years various cruise-

type missiles were tested, including the Matador in 1951 and later the Snark and Bomarc.

Conditions were primitive for these early launches with gantries constructed from painters' steel

scaffolding and plywood platforms, and blockhouse facilities of slit trenches surrounded by

sandbags. After 1953 facility construction supported the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

(IRBM) program and the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program with increasingly

sophisticated support structures. Due to their proximity to the launch pads, launch control centers

(blockhouses) were highly reinforced buildings designed to withstand the shock if a missile

should go awry. Depending on the type of launch complex, other structures might include service



Figure 7. Launch complexes on CCAFS.

towers, umbilical towers, launch stands, fuel facilities, camera stations, liquid oxygen (LOX)

systems, deflectors, skimming basins, and other facilities (Barton and Levy 1984; Cleary 1991;

McCarthy, et al. 1993; Penders 2011).

By the 1980s, numerous launch complexes (some with dual pads) had been constructed

on the Cape (Figure 7). The early satellite launches and all manned Mercury and Gemini flights

originated from CCAFS. When the Manned Lunar Landing Program was initiated in 1961, a

large section of Merritt Island across the Banana River from CCAFS was selected as the launch

center for the Apollo Program. Those complexes directly related to manned space flight were

LCs 5/6, 14, 19, 26 and 34. Other facilities included the original Mission Control Center and the

Mobile Service Tower at Complex 13 (Barton and Levy 1984; Cleary 1991; McCarthy et al.

1993; Penders 2011).

Activities at CCAFS had reached their peak in 1966, and the years following saw a


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida gradual decline in many phases of operations. Launch complexes and support buildings which

had served their purposes were adapted to other uses, deactivated, or put on standby. Many

facilities which had been transferred to the National Aeronautic and Space Administration

(NASA) during the early 1960s gradually returned to USAF control. Current Air Force launch

programs include ballistic missile operations and commercial launch vehicles. Operation and

maintenance of the missile test range has been the responsibility of a civilian contractor since

1953. PAFB continues as the center of administrative activities of Headquarters 45th Space

Wing, including CCAFS, Antigua Air Station, Ascension Auxiliary Air Field, Malabar Tracking

Annex (MTA), and Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex (JDMTA) (Barton and Levy

1984; Cleary 1991; McCarthy et al. 1993; Penders 2011).

The development of the space industry also dramatically transformed the surrounding

communities, including Eau Gallie, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Titusville. Their population

expanded greatly, and all had to cope with the demands of a suddenly enlarged workforce for

social and educational services. Support industries appeared on the periphery of both

installations. State and local governments strained to install the physical infrastructure to

accommodate the new population and activity, while at the same time tourism was also

increasing along what came to be known as the "Space Coast".

5.0 HISTORY OF LAUNCH COMPLEX 18

In 1954 The USAF had recently undertaken the development of the Thor IRBM. As plans

were being developed Project Vanguard needed a location to launch their vehicles. Since the

Thor program did not call for a flight from LC-18 for several years the north half of the complex

Shortage of time and money also entered into the decision not to build a new gantry crane for

servicing the Vanguard vehicle but to adapt to Vanguard use the one the laboratory rocket crew

had recently developed but never used for its now abandoned Viking program at White Sands

Proving Grounds in New Mexico. The Viking gantry at White Sands was dismantled and

reassembled at LC-18A. The contract also called for an additional working platform and other

was given to Vanguard. Thus in 1956 the as-built drawings both programs occupied some of the

facilities at the complex, sharing the blockhouse with the Thor project and testing and firing its

vehicles from an adjoining launch areas. The Vanguard program would use LC-18A at the north



Figure 8. Sheet from original as-built drawings showing LC-18 as originally constructed (Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc 1956).

end and Thor at LC-18B, located at the south half (Figure 8). It was understood that the use of

these facilities and any changes required in them were to be financed with Project Vanguard

funds. modifications, and the USAF took steps to install railroad tracks on which the huge

service tower could be moved up to and away from the vehicle-launching structure.

5.1 Launch Complex Construction and Development

Launch Complex 18 was constructed at the same time as LC-17 in 1956. The firm of

Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc, designed both launch complexes. In 1956, the launch

complex consisted of Pads A and B, blockhouse, gantry systems, a service building, and a LOX

facility (Figure 8). Pad A consisted of a 49 x 49-meter (m) or 160 x 160-foot (ft) poured concrete

slab in size with a 37-m (122-ft) long poured concrete flume and fuel disposal pond. On the pad

was located the Equipment Transfer Building which was linked to the blockhouse via an

underground instrumentation trench. A rail system for the gantry was located on the south side. It

was 7.6 m (25 ft) wide and 38.8 m (130.7) ft long. To the south of LC-18A were the LOX

Facility and the Fuel Storage and Pump Facility.



Pad B consisted of a 61 x 61-m (200 x 200-ft) poured concrete pad with a Covered Scale

Pit located in the center with a launch stand structure adjacent. At each corner of the pad were

deluge nozzle systems. At the northeast corner of Pad B was an Equipment Transfer Building.

To the east of this building was a “DE-LOX Pump Station” and “DE-Fuel Pump Station”. The

Equipment Transfer Building was connected to the scale pit via a trench under the pad this

building was also connected to the blockhouse via instrumentation trench. Adjacent to the

northeast corner of the pad was the Fuel Disposal Pond and Lox Evaporation Pond. A gantry

moved east to west on service tower rails 9 m (30-ft) wide and 43 m (141-ft) long. The

blockhouse area was paved with the Shop Building to the west, Electrical Distribution Building

to the south, and Compressor Building and adjacent Helium Storage to the southwest. At the

southwest corner of the complex was the Theodolite Tower and Demineralized Water Pump

Station. In addition, there were many other lower order facilities including individual sewage

lines, camera pads, water mains, storm drains, parking areas, fences, electrical distribution lines,

sentry box, security lights, flood lights, and a fire alarm system (Maurice H. Connell and

Associates, Inc. 1956).

After the initial construction there were several modifications to LC-18. In the late 1956

as-built drawing by Pan-American World Airways, Inc, a 6,435 liter (1,700 gallon) LOX tank

was placed under Pad A adjacent to the Equipment Transfer Building. A year later the

Compressed Air Building was constructed on the south side of the gantry transfer rails. The plans

indicated the 7.3 x 6.1-m (24 x 20-ft) rectangular-shaped building was constructed of metal

panels on a steel frame setting on a poured concrete foundation. It had a single-gabled roof with

fixed louvers below the peaks on the north and south elevations. The main entrance was a set of

double steel slab doors with a secondary entrance on the east elevation at the northeast corner.

There were four fixed six-pane windows; one in the east, one in the south and two in the west

elevations. That same year the blockhouse had soil revetments placed on the east side for added

protection in the event of a launch mishap. In 1959, a quonset hut was moved to the complex

from the CCAFS Industrial area. It was located north of the blockhouse (PanAm 1956a, b,

1957a, b, 1959a, b). It can be seen in the 1960 aerial photograph (Figure 9) though it does appear

in the as-built drawings. The complex remained essentially unchanged until after it was

abandoned in 1967.



Figure 9. Aerial photograph from 1960 of LC-18 (USAF 1960a).

5.1.1 Associated Facilities

In 1956 two Electronic Sky Screen Equipment (ELSSE)/Correlation Tracking and

Ranging (COTAR) tracking sites were planned for construction on CCAFS (Figure 10). Their

function was to passively track a missile-borne telemetry transmitter from LC-18A launches.

Usually one system, called the “flight line” system, is positioned up range from the launch pad

with its antenna "base line" system located approximately perpendicular to the intended missile

flight direction (USAF 1964a). Station 1 was located south of Central Control Road and Site 2

was located west of the LC-18, just east of Phillips Parkway (PanAm 1956c). The

ELSEE/COTAR facilities were demolished in the late 1960s (45 SW Real Property 2012).

Foundations and debris associated with the sites can be seen today. When LCs 17 and 18 were constructed in 1956 and 1957 the plans called for a deluge

system to spray the launch pads to cool the surfaces and act as noise attenuation. West of LC-17

Facility 40906-Water Pump Station #1 (Figure 10) and associated water tanks were constructed

on IRBM Road. High pressure water lines were run from the facility to both launch pads. Facility

PAD B

PAD A



Figure 10. Facilities associated with launch programs at LC-18.

40906 has been designated for demolition by the end of FY 2020.

The other two facilities which were associated with activities at LC-18 were Hangars L

and M (Figure 10). Hangar L (Facility 54920) was demolished by NASA in 2007. Hangar M

(Fac 1731) is currently on the list to be demolished by NASA in the next five years. These two

buildings were located in the CCAFS Industrial Area and were used for the Thor missile

program. Thor missile segments were tested at these sites and partially assembled. They were

then moved from the hangars to LC-18 (and LC-17) for where their assembly was completed on

the pad and then launched.

5.2 Missiles Programs at Launch Complex 18

5.2.1 Viking

The Viking sounding rocket (Figure 11), originally code-named Neptune, was conceived

in 1945 by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) as having the same altitude capability as

the V-2 but only one third the mass. Martin was given the contract to develop the rocket, and

Reaction Motors the engine. The original Martin contract called for 10 Vikings. Altogether, 14

were built, with the last 2 assigned to tests in the Vanguard Earth-satellite program. There were

ELSEE/COTAR SITE

HANGAR L HANGAR M

WATER PUMP BLDG, FAC 40906



Figure 11. Viking missile awaiting launch in 1956 (Corliss 1971).

many minor variations from vehicle to vehicle, but two major varieties are recognized: the Type

7 and the Type 9 Vikings. Type 7s were 15 m (49 ft) high and weighed about 4500 kg (almost 5

tons) loaded. In contrast, the Type 9 Viking was shorter (13 m or 42 ft) and much squatter; it was

50 percent heavier and could carry 450 kg (1000 lb) to 254 km (158 mi) (Corliss 1971; Green

and Lomask 1970; Hundley 2008a, b; Wade 2012).

The first Viking was fired from the White Sands Range in New Mexico on May 3, 1949

and the last was launched from CCAFS on May 1, 1957. The Vikings transported a great many

experiments into the upper atmosphere and above. They also took high-altitude photographs of A Determination of Eligibility for Launch Complex 18, CCAFS, Brevard County, Florida 21

45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida Table 1. Launch History of Viking Missiles from Launch Complex 18

Date Pad Sequence/ Serial No. Payload Notes

12/8/56 18A

TV-0 S.N. 000 Vanguard Test

Satellite

-First launch from LC-18. -First test rocket in the IGY-U.S. satellite program, a v one-stage NRL -Viking No. 13 carried a "minitrack" radio transmitter which was ejected at 80 km and tracked -Vanguard/Viking Type 9

5/1/57 TV-1 S.N. 001

-Test of Vanguard third-stage separation and firing at altitude.

the Earth. But the Viking was too expensive and required too many ground personnel and

facilities to make a practical sounding rocket. The most significant contributions from the Viking

program were in technology. The Viking pioneered the gimbaled engine and paved the way for

the Vanguard program with its first-stage power plant (Corliss 1971; Green and Lomask 1970;

Hundley 2008a, b; Wade 2012). The two launches from CCAFS are summarized in Table 1.

5.2.2 Vanguard

The Vanguard missile program was originally run by the NRL and was intended to place

the first man-made satellite into orbit during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) was an

international scientific project that lasted begun in July 1, 1957 after the death of the soviet

leader Joseph Stalin and ended on December 31, 1958. Both the US and the USSR launched

artificial satellites for this event. However, the Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 October 4, 1957 was the

first successful artificial satellite launched into space which was a serious blow to US prestige.

Several months later the US launched our first artificial satellite, Explorer I, into orbit using a

modified Jupiter missile known as Juno I. On March 17, 1958 the Vanguard I satellite (Figure

12), was launched into orbit from LC-18A. Vanguard I was the second US satellite and fourth

artificial satellite launched into orbit. It has the distinction of being the first solar powered

satellite and is the oldest still in orbit around the earth. The mission of Vanguard I was to study

temperatures and upper atmosphere conditions. It also revealed the earth to be slightly pear-

shaped (Green and Lomask 1970: Klawans and Baughardt 1960; Hundley 2008a, b; Wade 2012).

Vanguard was designed as a three-stage vehicle using as much existing technology as

possible. The first stage was a liquid-fueled engine derived from the Viking. The second stage

was a variant of the liquid-fueled engine in the Aerobee missile. The third stage was a solid- A Determination of Eligibility for Launch Complex 18, CCAFS, Brevard County, Florida 22


Figure 12. Photograph from 1958 of a Vanguard missile on the pad at LC-18A (USAF 1958a).

propellant rocket motor. Vanguard had no fins, and the first and second stages were steered by

gimbaled engines. The second stage also housed the vehicle's telemetry system, the inertial

guidance system and the autopilot. The third stage was spin stabilized, the spin being imparted

by a turn-table on the second stage before separation (Green and Lomask1970: Klawans and

Baughardt 1960; Parsch 2012; Wade 2012). Vanguard launches from CCAFS are summarized in

Table 2.



Table 2. Launch History of Vanguard Missiles from Launch Complex 18 Date Pad Sequence/

Serial No. Payload Notes

10/23/57

18A

TV-2 S.N. 002 Vanguard Test Satellite

-Vanguard prototype (TV-2) with simulated second and third stage. -Static test vehicle.

12/6/57 TV-3 S.N. 004 -First with three live stages. -Vehicle lost thrust and exploded after 2 seconds.

2/5/58 TV-3BU Vanguard (TV-3BU) satellite -Control system malfunction

3/17/58 TV-4 Vanguard 1C/ Vanguard Test Satellite

-Transmitted pear-shaped earth data.

4/28/58 TV-5 X-ray-environmental satellite

-Third Stage failed to ignite

5/27/58 SLV-1

Magnetosphere satellite

-Improper third stage trajectory

6/25/58 SLV-2 -Premature second stage cutoff

9/26/58 SLV-3 -Insufficient 2nd stage thrust

2/17/59 SLV-4 -Vanguard II

4/13/59 SLV-5 -Stage 2 damaged at separation

6/22/59 SLV-6 -Stage 2 propulsion malfunction

9/18/59 SLV-7 Vanguard (TV-4BU) satellite

-Vanguard III -Third stage failed to separate from payload.

5.2.3 Thor

In 1955, the Killian Committee, a high-level government study group directed by

President Eisenhower, was to determine how to use new and emerging technologies to reduce the

risk of a surprise attack on the US by the Soviet Union. In the February 1955 report the

committee urged that in addition to the ICBM, the US should also develop a new class of IRBMs

to counter a similar program thought to be under way in the Soviet Union. Anticipating that the

IRBM would be far easier to build than the ICBM, the committee feared that the Soviets would

deploy their IRBMs before the American ICBMs were ready. The USAF's answer to the IRBM

problem was the development of the Thor (Figure 13) (Emme 1961; Lonnquest and Winter 1996;

Neufeld 1990; Parsch 2012; Wade 2012).



Figure 13. Thor missile on LC-18B pad, June 1958 (USAF 1958b).

To expedite the new program the USAF sought to use existing ICBM components

wherever possible. Thor's engine was one-half of an Atlas ICBM primary booster; its guidance

system and reentry vehicle also came from the Atlas program. The only components Douglas had

to design and develop were the airframe and the ground support equipment (Forsyth 2002;

Lonnquest and Winter 1996; Wade 2012).

By March 1956, construction of the engine and captive missile test stands was under way

at Edwards AFB, California, as was the construction of the Thor launch facilities (LC's 17 and

18) at CCAFS. Also in March 1956, Douglas completed the airframe design, and began



Table 3. Launch History of Thor Missiles at Launch Complex 18 Date Pad Sequence/

Serial No Payload Notes

6/25/59

18B

198

USAF Thor data capsule

-Series IV research and development launch

7/24/59 202

8/14/59 204

9/12/59 217

10/6/59 235 -Series IV research and development launch/Meteorites mission 10/28/59 230

12/1/59 254 -Series IV research and development launch

1/14/60 256 NA

2/9/60 259

2/29/60 263 -Last Thor launch from LC-18B

setting up the Thor production line at its Santa Monica, California plant. In early October the

Soviet Union placed the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. Within a week

President Eisenhower ordered Thor into full production, and at the end of December the

President announced that the United States would deploy four squadrons of IRBMs overseas. In

early February 1958 the United States and Great Britain reached an agreement to deploy the

missiles in that island nation. Under the terms of the agreement the missiles would be operated

by Royal Air Force (RAF) crews, but the warheads would stay under American control

(Lonnquest and Winter 1996; Wade 2012).

Thor was the free world's first operational intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). It

was 20 m (65 ft long), 2.4 m (8 ft) in diameter and weighed 47,627 kilograms (kg) or 105,000

pounds (lbs). The missile utilized a single stage North American Rocketdyne liquid oxygen

rocket motor which provided 68,039 kg (150,000 lbs) of static thrust. This gave the Thor of

range of 3,218.7 km (2,000 mi). The development of more advanced missiles resulted in the

Thor being retired from military service in 1963. However, some of the missiles were modified

and used extensively for space research, either as a single-stage booster or in combination with

various types of upper stages for such projects as the Tiros, Telstar, Pioneer, and Discoverer


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida programs (Lonnquest and Winter 1996; Wade 2012). The Thor missile was tested and launched

primarily from LC-17 with additional launches from LC-18B. The launches from 18B are

summarized in Table 3.

5.2.4 Scout Series

In the late 1950s, the NASA established the Scout program to develop a multistage solid-

propellant space booster and research rocket. The USAF also participated in the program, but

different requirements led to some divergence in the development of NASA and USAF Scouts.

The USAF Scout program was known as HETS (Hyper Environmental Test System) or System

609A, and the rockets were generally referred to as Blue Scout. The prime contractor for the

NASA Scout was LTV, but the Blue Scout prime contractor was Ford Aeronutronics. Following

this, it was also converted for use by Scout rockets. Sixteen Scouts were launched from LC-18;

ten from LC-18A and six from LC-18B. Fifteen of the launches were suborbital sounding flights,

and one was an orbital launch with the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA. This failed to reach

orbit and was destroyed by range safety 43 seconds after launch. The launches from LC-18A

used the Blue Scout Junior configuration, and were conducted between September 21, 1960 and

June 9, 1965. The launches from LC-18B consisted of three Blue Scout I rockets and three Blue

Scout IIs, launched between January 1961 and April 1967 (Hundley 2008a, b; Parsch 2012;

Wade 2012). The Scout variations and launches are summarized in Table 4.

5.2.4.1 Blue Scout I

The basic NASA Scout configuration, from which all variants were derived, was known

as Scout-X1. It was a four-stage rocket. The Scout-X1 first flew successfully on October 10,

1960; after an earlier failure in July 1960. The rocket's first stage had four stabilizing fins, and

the vehicle incorporated a gyro-based guidance system for attitude stabilization to keep the

rocket on course. By using different combinations of rocket stages, the USAF created several

different Blue Scout configurations. One of these was the Blue Scout I, which was a three-stage

vehicle, omitting the basic Scout's Altair 4th stage. The first launch occurred January 7, 1961,

and was mostly successful. On that flight, the rocket carried a variety of experiments to measure

rocket performance and high-altitude fields and particle radiation. The payload was located in a

recoverable reentry capsule, but the capsule sunk in the water before it could be recovered. The



Table 4. Launch History of the Scout Missile Series from Launch Complex 18 Date Launch

Vehicle Pad Sequence/ Serial No Payload Notes

9/21/60

Blue Scout Jr. 18

D-1 Radiation Probe (HETS) payload -First launch

11/8/60 D-2 (XRM-91) HETS Magnetosphere mission

-Failure

1/7/61 Blue Scout I

18B

D-3 (A1-1) HETS A1-1 Plasma/ radio astronomy mission

NA

3/3/61 Blue Scout II

D-4 (A2-1) HETS A2-1 Plasma mission

4/12/61 D-5 (A2-2) HETS A2-2 Plasma mission

5/9/61 Blue Scout I D-6 (A1-2) HETS A1-2 Plasma mission

8/17/61 Blue Scout Jr. 18A 0-1 HETS Magnetosphere mission

11/1/61 Scout 18B MS-1 Mercury Track Experiment

-It was to have verified the readiness of the worldwide Mercury tracking network. - Shortly after lift-off, the launch vehicle developed erratic motions. It was destroyed after 43 seconds of flight

4/12/62 Blue Scout I 18B D-7 Reentry Test re-entry vehicle test flight

-Failure

7/30/63

Blue Scout Jr. 18A

SLV 1B/AD-622

OAR 22-1/AFCRL-1/21 Plasma / radio astronomy mission

NA

3/13/64 SLV 1B/AD-623

OAR 22-2/AFCRL-9 Magnetosphere mission -Both failures

1/28/65 22-3 OAR 22-3/AFCRL-309 Magnetosphere mission

3/30/65 22/4 OAR 22-4/AFCRL-35 Magnetosphere mission

NA

4/9/65 22-9 OAR 22-9/AFWL-14 Magnetosphere mission

5/12/65 22-8 OAR 22-8 / AFCRL-335 Magnetosphere mission

6/9/65 22-5 OAR 22-5 / AFWL-304 Magnetosphere mission



Figure 14. Blue Scout I on LC-18B, July 1961 (USAF 1961a).

only other launches (in May 1961 and April 1962) were unsuccessful, and the Blue Scout I

program was terminated in 1962 1967 (Parsch 2012; Wade 2012). An example of a Blue Scout I

can be seen in Figure 14.

5.2.4.2 Blue Scout II

The Blue Scout II (Figure 15) was a four-stage rocket, which used the same stages as the

basic NASA Scout. It was nevertheless not identical to the latter, because the 4th stage was

hidden in a payload fairing with the same diameter as the 3rd stage, and the first stage nozzle

used a flared tail skirt between the fins. Externally, it was indistinguishable from the Blue Scout

I. The first Blue Scout II launch occurred on March 3, 1961, followed by a second one month



Figure 15. Blue Scout II on LC-18B, March 1961 (USAF 1961b).

later. Both sub-orbital flights were successful, and measured radiation levels in the Van Allen

belt. The second Blue Scout II also carried a micrometeorite sampling experiment, but the

recovery of the reentry capsule failed. The third Blue Scout II was used by NASA in November

1961 in an attempt to launch a communications payload for Project Mercury into orbit, but this

rocket failed. The USAF subsequently abandoned the Blue Scout I and Blue Scout II vehicles,

and shifted to the Blue Scout Junior instead 1967 (Parsch 2012; Wade 2012).

5.2.4.3 Blue Scout Junior

The Blue Scout Junior (Figure 16) did not resemble the other Scout variants externally,



Figure 16. Blue Scout Jr. launch from LC-18A in 1960 (NASA 1960).

because the usual first Scout stage (an Aerojet General Algol) was not used. Instead, the Blue

Scout Junior used Scout's Castor and Antares as the first two stages, and added an Aerojet

General Alcor and a spherical Cetus in a common nose fairing. The Blue Scout Junior also

lacked the gyro-stabilization and guidance system of the Blue Scout I and Blue Scout II, making

it a completely unguided rocket. It relied on second-stage fins and two spin motors to achieve a

stable flight trajectory. The first launch of a Blue Scout Junior occurred September 21, 1960,

making it actually the first Blue Scout configuration to fly. The flight was planned to make

radiation and magnetic field measurements at distances of up to 26,700 km (16,600 mi) from

earth, and while the rocket did indeed achieve this altitude, the telemetry system failed so that no

data was received. The second launch in November ended with a failure during second stage

burn. The third flight was to measure particle densities in the Van Allen belt and reached a

distance of 225,000 km (140,000 mi), but again a telemetry failure prevented the reception of

scientific data. The fourth and final mission in December 1961 also carried particle detectors,

and was the only completely successful flight of the initial Blue Scout Junior program (Parsch

2012; Wade 2012). An example of the Blue Scout Junior can be seen in Figure 16.



Figure 17. Launch Complex 18 Resource Group (BR2952).

6.0 LAUNCH COMPLEX 18 FACILITIES

Launch Complex 18 was constructed in 1956-1957. Pad A was the modified in 1964 and

entire complex deactivated in 1967. It consists of 21 ha (52 ac) of land surrounded by a security

fence which is being used as the boundary of the resource group. It was used as a launch facility

for the Thor, Vanguard, Viking, and Scout programs. Today the launch complex is used as a

demineralized water production facility and corrosion control/paint facility. The complex has

always been owned by the USAF since its construction. However, the NRL conducted their

Viking/Vanguard programs at Pad A and NASA used LC-18B briefly for Thor launches.

Historically, there were also camera towers, cross-country fuel pipelines, and other

miscellaneous structures to support launch operations. Most have been either demolished or

abandoned in place since deactivation of the launch complex. Presently the complex contains

several buildings associated with historic launches including the blockhouse (Fac 24401), two

electrical distribution buildings (Fac. 24403 and Fac. 24404), Storage Area (Fac. 24405), Paint

LC-18A

LC-18B

BLOCKHOUSE


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida Storage Building (Fac 24445), Electrical Switch Station which was originally a storage building,

Demineralized Water Buildings (Fac. 24450), a storage building (Fac. 24451), former LOX and

fuel facilities sites, and two launch pads. Together these facilities form the LC-18 Resource

Group (BR2952) (Figure 17). A large portion of the complex has been taken over by the

corrosion control/paint shop. They use Pad B for their activities and access is controlled by a

fence. Outside of the pad are sandblast media hoppers while inside there are various temporary

structures. Historic photographs of the complex are located in Appendix A and additional current

photographs are located in Appendix B. Abbreviated as-built drawings are located in Appendix

C with a full set found on the accompanying DVD. FMSF forms are located in Appendix D.

Figure 18. View to the northwest of LC-18 Blockhouse from 1959 (USAF 1959a).

6.1 Facility 24401-Launch Complex 18 Blockhouse (8BR2144)

The blockhouse (Facility 24401) is a 1,000 sq m (3,200 sq ft) facility built in 1957

(Figure 18). For ease in describing Facility 24401, I have divided it into three sections. The west

mass is rectangular in shape and is one-story in height with a flat built-up asphalt and pea gravel

roof. On the roof are floodlights. An access ladder is located on the south elevation to reach the

lower roof and a second ladder is located on the roof to access the upper roof shared by the

central and east masses of the building. The walls in this section are 61 cm (2 ft) thick and


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida constructed of poured concrete. The west section contains the entrance, a pair of steel blast doors

located on the west elevation which opens to a central corridor through the west and central

masses of the building. A single steel blast door is located on the south elevation to allow

exterior access to a storage room. Both sets of doors are constructed of 6.35-mm (0.25-in) steel

plate welded onto a steel frame and affixed to the frame with steel hinges. Adjacent to the main

blast doors at the west elevation are concrete pads and circular ports which lead into the building.

The first slab, located adjacent to the entrance, once contained the air conditioning housing

which at some point was demolished. Adjacent to the north is the second slab which contained

the air conditioning cooling tower. The interior of this section contains a ready room, storage

room and restroom on the north and south sides of a central corridor (Maurice H. Connell and

Associates, Inc. 1956).

The central mass is also rectangular in shape and shares a common roof with the eastern

or triangular-shaped mass. These two sections have a 1.8-m (6-ft) thick poured concrete barrel

roof. The roof of the central mass contains a metal railing, metal vents and a periscope. Inside the

central mass are the Air Conditioning Room, Evaluation Room and a General Purpose Room.

Access to the firing rooms in the east mass is through the general purpose room. The Evaluation

Room was used for offline analysis of launch data, problems, or issues, thus keeping congestion

and talking outside of the immediate launch control area. Both the central and east masses walls

are 61 cm (2 ft) thick on the north and south side. As the name implies the General Purpose

Room was used by personnel to keep congestion and talking outside of the Firing Rooms and to

review data (Hilliard 2012: personal communication; Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc.

1956). The eastern mass is triangular in shape and contained the firing rooms for Pads A and B.

The Firing Rooms housed the various instrument consoles and communications equipment used

during launches. Consoles included those for missile checkout, launch control, guidance and

control, payload/reentry vehicle telemetry, command destruct, and range timing (Figure 19).

While the north and south walls are 61 cm (2 ft) thick the east walls were 1.5 m (5 ft) thick.

Originally, there were two sets of blast-proof glass windows for viewing the launches.

The northeast and southeast walls each had a set of 1/1 light and 2/2 light windows inset into the

wall. They were constructed at an angle so the upper portion of the windows were angled up to

watch a vehicle in flight and the lower portions angled to view the pads. The glass panes were 10 A Determination of Eligibility for Launch Complex 18, CCAFS, Brevard County, Florida 34


Figure 19. View to the southwest of the LC-18 Blockhouse after invasive species removal in 2010.

cm (4 in) thick set into a steel frame. However, a year after construction the eastern mass was

modified. The entire triangular area was covered with a 9.7-m (32-ft) thick soil revetment which

covered the two windows oriented toward Pad B while the 2/2 light window facing Pad A was

left. To view activities at Pad B a periscope was installed. The revetment was held in place by

2.4-m (8-ft) thick shoring walls and sand-cement burlap bag revetment. These bag walls were

constructed of the junction of the cableways and blockhouse walls. The burlap eventually rots

away leaving solid cement blocks in the shape of filled burlap bags. Another feature of the

blockhouse was two escape tunnels which lead out from the blockhouse to an exit within the

revetment. Two instrumentation trenches extend from the eastern mass. One trench runs from the

Pad A firing room (northern half of the east mass) and the other from the Pad B firing room

(Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956; PanAm 1957b). The revetment was not

constructed until sometime after August 1957 and before February 1960 based on aerial

photograph of the complex (USAF 1957, 1960b) on file with the National Archives and Records

Administration (NARA). The current condition of the blockhouse can be seen in Figure 19.

6.2 Facility 24448-Electrical Switch Station (8BR2938)

Facility 24448-Electrical Switch Station was constructed in 1957 and served as the main A Determination of Eligibility for Launch Complex 18, CCAFS, Brevard County, Florida 35


Figure 20. Excerpt from 1957 aerial photograph of LC-18 showing Facility 24448 (USAF 1957).

Figure 21. View to the southeast of Facility 24448.

FAC 24448


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida transformer electrical power facility for the launch complex. Electrical lines ran from this

building to the blockhouse and adjacent buildings and then via instrumentation trenches to the

two launch pads (Figure 20).

The building is 12 x 4.9 m (39 x 16 ft) in size and rectangular-shaped with the long axis

oriented east to west. It is constructed of an expressed concrete frame with concrete block infill

which sits on poured concrete foundation/floor. Facility 24448 is covered with a flat built-up

asphalt and pea gravel roof. Doors have precast concrete lintels while louvers have both precast

lintels and sills. The north elevation has a single metal door with upper and lower fixed metal

louvers located at the northeast portion of the building. The east elevation has no windows or

doors. The south elevation has a precast concrete louver near the roof line at the southeastern

corner. The west elevation has a pair of metal louvered doors. Adjacent to the south near the roof

line is a precast concrete louver (Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956).

The interior consists of two rooms. The east room is accessed by the single door and was

the motor control room. The room section was the transformer vault and was accessible by the

two doors in the west elevation. Today the building is empty (Maurice H. Connell and

Associates, Inc. 1956). Current conditions can be seen in Figure 21.

6.3 Facility 24450-Storage Building (8BR2939)

Facility 24450 was built in 1957 is a rectangular-shaped building 18.3 x 12.5 m (60 x 41

ft) in size with the long axis oriented east to west. The building is constructed of concrete block

infill surrounded by an expressed concrete frame. Windows all have precast concrete sills and

lintels and the personnel doors have precast concrete lintels as well. The building sits on a

poured concrete slab foundation that also serves as the floor. The north elevation contained a

roll-up style garage door with a hollow metal slab personnel door immediately adjacent to the

west. There are three awning style four pane windows. When originally constructed, all the

windows in the building had wooden frames. They have since been replaced with aluminum

frame versions. Just below the roof line are two rectangular-shaped housings containing external

lighting. There is a large above ground storage tank and shed-style housing for a water pump.

The west elevation contains a four pane awning style window at the northwest corner. The south



Figure 22. Excerpt from 1960 photograph of LC-18 with Facility 24450 in the background (USAF 1960b).


FAC 24450


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida elevation contains five windows all are four pane awning style windows except at the southwest

corner which has three panes. Just below the roof line are two rectangular-shaped housings

containing external lighting. A wooden frame shelter with aluminum panel roof serves as a

storage area for waste drums. The east elevation was dominated by a pair of sliding garage doors

set on an external track covered with a galvanized housing (Figure 22). This has been replaced

with a roll up door. There are small tanks and an air conditioner unit along the wall (Maurice H.

Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956). Inside the building is a central shop area with a restroom,

tool crib, locker room and office. The facility contains pumps, acid tank, caustic tank,

demineralizer, aerator and air compressor (Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956).

When constructed, Facility 24450 was identified as the Shop Building for LC-18. This is

where various mechanical repairs were conducted for the launch complex. Today it is known as

the Storage Building. Though it is identified as a storage building it is actually used as the

demineralized water pump station. It is used to manufacture this water which is used in the

reactors of nuclear submarines at come to Port Canaveral. Current conditions can be seen in

Figure 23.

6.4 Facility 24445-Paint Storage Building (8BR2940)

Facility 24445 was built in 1957 and was originally constructed as the Demineralized

Water Bldg/Pump Station for LC-18. It was renamed the Paint Storage Building though it still

retains its function as a demineralized water pump station.

Facility 24445 is a 6.4 x 5.8-m (21 x 19-ft) rectangular-shaped building sitting on a

poured concrete slab foundation which was reinforced at the location of two pumps inside. The

walls are constructed of concrete block on which is a built-up asphalt and pea gravel roof. The

west elevation contains a three pane awning style window which was originally wood framed but

has been replaced by an aluminum framed version. The north elevation appears to have

contained a second window which was replaced by a fixed metal louver. The east elevation

consists of a single hollow metal door. Precast concrete sills are located at the window and

louvers and precast lintels are located above the door, window and louver (Maurice H. Connell

and Associates, Inc. 1956).




Originally, the facility contained two pumps, acid tank, caustic tank, demineralizer,

aerator and air compressor. At one time these were connected to two above ground storage tanks

(Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956). The tanks are gone by their supports can be

observed at the south and west elevations of the building. Current conditions can be seen in

Figure 24.

6.5 Launch Complex 18 LOX and JP-4 Fuel Storage and Pump Facilities

The two facilities have been paired together since they were constructed in 1957 to serve

as the general storage area for LOX and JP-4 fuel used on the Thor missile. Together these

commodities were what launched the Thor missile. They shared a common access road and were

located at the approximate center of the complex. When constructed in 1957 the two facilities

each contained an above ground storage tank sitting on a poured concrete foundation. They were

protected on three sides by poured concrete walls (Figure 25).

The JP-4 Fuel Storage and Pump Facility (former Facility 1309P) was located

immediately east of the blockhouse and southwest of the Pad A service tower tracks. An above

ground cross-country pipeline ran from this location to the Defueling Facility at Pad B. The JP-4

was stored in a 3,785 liter (1,000 gallon) tank which sat on poured concrete supports with in turn



Figure 25. Photograph of LC-18A looking south with the LOX and JP-4 storage area in the background (NASA 1958a).

Figure 26. Aerial photograph showing the former LOX and JP-4 areas

LOX STORAGE AREA

JP-4 STORAGE AREA

FORMER LOX

STORAGE AREA

FORMER JP-4

STORAGE AREA


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida sat on a gravel base. On three sides the walls were 5.5 m (18 ft) tall with the fourth side had a

7.6-cm (3-in) high wall. The entire area measured 6.7 x 11.6 m (22 x 38 ft). Minor components

consisted of pumping equipment and the pipeline to the pad. It is assumed that this facility was

also used for both pads since Vanguard missiles were launched from both pads. Today nothing

remains of the facility except for some pavement. Current conditions can be seen in Figure 26.

Figure 27. View to the northwest of LC-18A from 1960 (USAF 1960c).

6.6 Launch Complex 18A

6.6.1 Launch Pad (8BR2941)

Launch Pad 18A was constructed in 1957 and consists of a 58 x 58-m (190 x 190-ft)

poured concrete pad with a sluice and deluge holding basin located to the north. The square-

shaped pad is subdivided roughly into quadrants. These quadrants are further subdivided with

longitudinal construction joints and transverse dummy (i.e., scored groove) joints. At the center

of the pad was the launch stand. Dispersed about the concrete slabs are the former anchor

positions that held the umbilical tower (UT) and mobile service tower (MST) in place (Maurice

H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956). The launch pad during its use for the

Vanguard program can be seen in Figures 27 and 28.



Figure 28. Photograph from May 1958 showing features of LC-18A (USAF

1958c).

6.6.2 LC-18A Sluice and Basin

The deluge system, was a series of pipes and nozzles constructed as an integral part of

each bucket that sent thousands of gallons of water onto the pad, UT, and launch stand. The

purpose of the deluge system was cool surrounding equipment, dilute propellants, and provide

sound attenuation. The sluice and basin were used for the conveyance and retention of deluge

water and fuel associated with a launch and is located on the north side of the pad. The sluice

extends north from the pad and is triangular-shaped. It measures 20.1 m (66 ft) long, at the end

UMBILICAL TOWER MOBILE SERVICE

TOWER

LAUNCH STAND

FAC 24403

INSTRUMENTATION

TRENCH



Figure 29. Current aerial photograph showing the components of LC-18A.

closest to the launch stand it is 1.8-m (6-ft) wide, and 15.2-m (50-ft) wide at the deluge holding

basin. The basin itself measures 15.2 x 15.2-m (50 x 50-ft) in size (Maurice H. Connell and

Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956).

After every launch, the deluge water in the basin was tested possible fuel contamination

and neutralized if necessary. The neutralized water was then either channeled out to a drainage

channel or left in the basin to evaporate. The sluice and basin are both constructed of poured

concrete. Today, they are in poor condition and have vegetation growing out of cracks in the

concrete. The sluice and basin can be seen in Figure 29.

6.6.3 LC-18A Launch Stand

The launch stand was constructed in 1957 of reinforced steel to withstand any potential

explosion resulting from the highly flammable commodities used in the launch vehicles as well

as the stresses from launches themselves. The purpose of the stand was to provide a stable

surface for erecting and launch the vehicles. The 6.4 x 4.6-m (21 x 15-ft) structure was two

MST TRACKS

FORMER VANGUARD

LAUNCH STAND AND

BLUE SCOUT JR. LAUNCH STRUCTURE INSTRUMENTATION

TRENCH

FAC 24403

DELUGE BASIN

SLUICE

BLUE SCOUT JR. MST

FORMER UT SITE

FORMER ROCKET

SERVICE BUILDING



Figure 30. View to the northwest of Vanguard test flight 438 from 1958 which shows the launch stand and UT (NASA 1958b).

levels in height and contained two open stairways on the east and west sides. On the first level

was a reinforced steel flame bucket which directed the blast created by both static firings and

launches away from the missile and sensitive launch equipment. The scoop-shaped flame

bucket was constructed of steel plates, columns and beams coated with an ablative material

(Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956).

The launch stand was removed in 1964 for the Blue Scout Jr. Program. There is evidence

of the location of the former launch stand on the pad surface. The launch stand’s current

condition can be seen in Figure 29. Figure 30 is a historic photograph showing the launch stand

and UT in use.

6.6.4 LC-18A Umbilical Tower

The UT was constructed in 1957 and was a 20-m (65.6-ft) tall fixed-in-place, triangular-

shaped steel-frame structure that enclosed and supported the lines for power, propellant,

communication and prelaunch checkout. The numerous lines required to support the launch

connected to the launch vehicle through several umbilical cords. Once the missile gained


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida sufficient thrust to lift from the launch stand the lines would quickly disconnect from the missile

receptacles. At each corner of the pad are concrete pylons with metal connectors used for

supporting the UT. It was removed in 1967 though the foundation of the tower can still be seen

on the pad surface. The UT’s current condition can be seen in Figure 29. Figure 30 is a historic

photograph showing the launch stand and UT in use.

Figure 31. View to the northeast at Facility 24403.

6.6.5 Facility 24403-LC18A Electrical Distribution Building (8BR2942)

Facility 24403 constructed in 1957 is located at the center of the pad on the south side of

where the launch gantry and umbilical tower were previously located. The Electrical Distribution

Building was original identified as the Equipment Transfer Building. There does not seem to

have been any difference in function. Facility 24403 is connected to the blockhouse via an

instrumentation trench. It is a 7.6 x 4.6-m (25 x 15-ft) rectangular-shaped structure constructed

completely of reinforced poured concrete. The walls are 30.5 cm (1-ft) thick and the slightly

gabled roof is 60.9 cm (2 ft) thick. There are no windows in the facility though there are vents

and other openings for utilities associated with launch operations. A pair of steel panel reinforced

doors is located on the west elevation. Inside there is a single room with electrical panels on all

four walls (Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956). The building remains A Determination of Eligibility for Launch Complex 18, CCAFS, Brevard County, Florida 46

45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida on the pad today though it is abandoned in place. It has been identified as an abandoned facility

to be demolished by Fiscal Year 2020. Facility 24403 can be seen in Figures 27 through 29 and

31.

Figure 32. View to the northeast of the MST tracks.

6.6.6 LC-18A Mobile Service Tower Tracks (8BR2944)

The MST and tracks were constructed in 1957. The purpose of this structure was for the

build-up and servicing of launch vehicles. It was mounted on four drive truck assemblies. It

consisted of eight movable decks of steel framework of rigid box shape design which rose 47 m

(154 ft) above the launch pad. There were three levels which were covered with nylon or plastic

sheeting for working on internal components of the launch vehicle and remain free of debris and

the elements. At the top was a crane used to lift the missile onto the launch stand.

The MST was mounted on rails and moved down the center of the launch pad from where

the launch stand was located 42.7 m (140 ft) to the south. There are two 15.2-cm (6-in) wide

steel rails placed 4.6 m (15 ft) apart. Both on the pad and at the parking area to the south were

sets of four concrete guy anchors and pins which locked the tower in place (Maurice H. Connell

and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956). In 1964 the MST, was removed for the Blue Scout Jr.

Program. Current conditions can be seen in Figure 31.


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 6.6.7 LC-18A Rocket Service Shop

This was a shop constructed adjacent to the pad on the south side of the MST tracks. As

the name implies it was used as a shop to support launch operations. It was a 7.3 x 6.1-m (24 x

20 ft) rectangular-shaped structure built in 1957 on a poured concrete foundation and had a metal

frame covered with corrugated metal panels. Three of the walls contained explosive glass

windows which had metal frames. The roof was single gabled and was also covered with

corrugated metal panels. Near the eaves at each end of the building were fixed pane louvers.

Entry was located on the north side and consisted of a pair metal panel doors. Inside was a

concrete pad to support a compressor (AFMTC 1957). The structure was removed sometime

between 1964 and 1967. It can be seen in Figures 27 and 28. The foundation of the buildings can

be seen in Figure 29.

6.6.8 Blue Scout Jr. Launch Structure

I was unable to locate as-built drawings for the structure. The description here is based on

photographic evidence alone. The launch structure was built near the former location of the

earlier Vanguard launch stand. It appears to have been constructed of a single metal mast with

three smaller supports. The launch vehicle was mounted on a mast that could be lowered to a

horizontal position for placement and servicing the vehicle then raised to a diagonal position for

firing. This was accomplished via a pulley system on the launch structure. It should be noted that

no images were found of the launch mast in the vertical position. The launch stand was removed

sometime in 1967 though the foundation for the structure is still visible on the pad surface. The

former location can be seen in Figure 29 and in use in Figures 16 and 32.

6.6.9 Blue Scout Jr Movable Shelter Tracks (8BR2945)

In 1962, a movable building was constructed in support of the Blue Scout Jr. program.

The building was to provide an onsite shelter where work could be conducted on the missile

without removing it from its launch stand. A 61 m (200 ft) long and 7 m (23 ft) wide set of tracks

were constructed oriented southwest to northeast from the pad. On the tracks was a structure that

could be moved to and from the pad via a mechanized drum pulley system. The track system

consisted of anchor points at each end, a theodolite system, and power hook ups to the structure.

The structure itself is gone but based on the as-builts and a historic photograph (Figure 33).



Figure 33. Photograph from 1964 showing the movable shelter used for the Blue Scout Jr. (USAF 1964b).

Figure 34. View to the southwest of the Blue Scout Jr. Movable Shelter Tracks.


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida it appears to have been rectangular-shaped and 7.9 x 6.1 m (26 x 20 ft) in size. It was constructed

of a steel frame covered with corrugated metal panels. Along the bottom of all walls was

neoprene fabric to assist in keeping the interior clean from foreign object debris. The roof was

single gabled and also covered with panels. At the peak, the west half the roof had a box shaped

hinged structure that also contained neoprene fabric. The north and east elevations were solid

panels. The south elevation contained four metal doors with fixed pane wire glass windows, six

fiberglass sheet windows and a series of air conditioning units. The west elevation contained a

pair of sliding panel doors with a circular area near the roof. The entire structure sat on railroad

wheels (Kononoff and Smith, Inc 1962).

When maintenance was required on the Blue Scout Jr, the boom holding the missile was

lowered to the horizontal position and the structure was moved up to cover most of the rocket.

Today only the rail system remains. The pulleys at the east end of the tracks are present and so is

the electrical pad for the theodolite. Current conditions can be seen in Figure 34.

Figure 35. View to the northeast of the LC-18A Instrumentation Trench.

6.5.10 LC-18A Instrumentation Trench (8BR2943)

In the blockhouse were two firing rooms with an underground instrumentation trench

extending from each to the pads. A trench runs from the north firing room in the blockhouse to

Pad A. The U-shaped trench is recessed approximately 61 cm (2 ft) below ground surface and


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida covered with steel plates to allow access. The instrumentation trench was 30.5 m (100 ft long)

and 91.4 cm (3 ft) wide. Along the walls are metal brackets which were used to support hundreds

of meters of electrical and communication cables. The trench was kept dry with a sump pump

(Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956). Current conditions can be seen in

Figure 34.

Figure 36. View to the southwest of LC-18B from 1958 (USAF 1958d).

6.7 Launch Complex 18B

6.7.1 Launch Pad LC-18B (8BR2946)

LC-18B during its peak of operations as a Thor launch facility contained several major

elements. These are discussed below. The pad itself measures 61 x 61 m (200 x 200 ft) in area.

At the center of the pad is a 36 x 36-m (118 x 118-ft) square area of reinforced concrete with a

“scale pit” in the center. At the north end it appears they constructed a sluice for a deluge basin

that was never constructed there. It has approximately the same dimensions as the sluice at Pad

A. At the four corners were poured concrete slab walls with three water nozzles at each site.

These were part of the deluge system for the pad. They remain in place today. The pits for the

MST

DE-FUEL POND

MST TRACKS

FAC 24404

DE-LOX FACILITY

DE-FUEL FACILITY



Figure 37. Current aerial photograph showing the features of LC-18B.

plumbing are also still in place. Along the north side of the pit were the De-Fuel Facility, De-

LOX Facility and Facility 24404. Adjacent to the scale pit was the Console Shelter now called

the Storage Area. At the northeast corner of the pad was formerly a fuel evaporation pad. A MST

and park area made up the rest of the facility. Various electrical, communication and commodity

lines ran to the pad. Conditions during the use of LC-18B can be seen in Figure 36.

Today little remains of the original launch complex. The facility is being used by the 45

SW for painting and corrosion control. Several temporary structures and old rail cars are being

used for equipment and chemical storage. Some of the open areas which were part of the pad

now have tarps attached to create paint booths or containment for sandblasting. The area is

fenced in and access is limited. Current conditions can be seen in Figures 37.

6.7.2 LC-18B Scale Pit

The scale pit itself measures 8.5 x 10 m (28 x 33 ft) and appears to have been more than

1.8 m (6 ft deep). Thor missiles were mounted atop a launch stand which in turn was mounted

on a scale which was over the scale pit. Traditional methods of measuring liquids would not

have provided accurate information on the amount of LOX loaded onto the missile. The scale

FAC 24404

DE LOX FACILITY

CONSOLE

SHELTER

MST TRACKS

HELIUM LINE TRENCH

INSTRUMENTATION

TRENCH

SCALE PIT



Figure 38. View to the southwest of the Scale Pit and Facility 24405.

was used to weigh the missile empty and again when loaded with LOX to get an accurate

weight of the commodity. The pit contained various electrical and communication lines that ran

to Facility 24405. Historic photographs confirm the use of this facility to weight the missiles.

They show a steel launch stand and short UT bolted to the pad surface at this location. It is joined

by a tunnel to Facility 24404. Today the pit is covered with metal plates and access is prevented

by a metal railing. It can be seen in Figure 38.

6.7.3 Facility 24405: Storage Area (8BR2948)

Facility 24405 was originally known as the Console Shelter. It is a 3 x 3.6-m (10 x 12-ft)

rectangular-shaped structure consisting of a flat 15.2-cm (6-in) thick concrete slab roof supported

by 30 x 30-cm (12 x 12-in) columns. These columns form two rooms or bays in which

instrumentation related to launch activities were housed. At the east end is a sloped area sloping

downward west to east. This area has a 15.2-cm (6-in) thick poured concrete surface covering a

berm of sand. This was to provide protection to the instrumentation located inside the bays.

While many of the facilities at the pad are in poor condition this one is well maintained. It

is being used to store paints, drums and other items associated with painting and corrosion

control. A chain link fence encloses the facility. Current conditions of the facility can be seen in

Figure 38.



Figure 39. View to the east of Facility 24404.

6.7.4 Facility 24404: LC-18B Electrical Distribution Building (8BR2947)

This building is located at the northwest corner of the pad. It is a 8.2 x 5.2-m (27 x 17-ft)

rectangular-shaped facility constructed in 1957 to support operations at LC18B. It was originally

called the Electrical Transfer House. When constructed it consisted of an open area on the north

side with a single poured concrete wall and corrugated metal panel walls on the north elevation.

This area housed various electrical components. The south half of the structure contained a shed

style roof and poured concrete walls forming two rooms. Access to the structure is through a

metal door with fixed pane glass window at the southwest corner of the structure or through a

pair of metal doors which is located on the north elevation in the open bay. In 1958, a restroom

consisting of poured reinforced concrete walls and poured foundation was added to the northeast

corner of the building. All have poured concrete slab roof coverings. The south half of the

facility has two rooms. The original as-built drawings identify them as the Blower Room (north

half) and Equipment Room (south half). The Instrumentation Trench enters the building via the

east side of the Equipment Room and a tunnel exits the same room at the southeast corner which

provided access to the scale pit. In the 1958 photograph of the pad, lines can be seen on the roof

entering both ends of the building (Figure 36). Today the building stands empty. The structure is

deteriorating rapidly and is not maintained. Current conditions can be seen in Figure 39.



Figure 40. View to the southeast of the De-LOX Pumping Station.

6.7.5 LC-18B De-LOX Pumping Station (8BR2482)

The facility was constructed in 1957 and was originally identified as Facility 1309E. This

structure consists of three poured concrete slab walls 9 ft in height and enclose and area 4.9 x 2.7

m (16 x 9 ft) in size which contained an above ground storage tank. Adjacent was a smaller three

sided slab wall structure that houses the LOX pumping system. Both were recessed 15.2 cm (6

in) below the ground surface. The purpose of this facility was to pump LOX into or out of the

launch vehicle. If it was contaminated the goal was to remove the commodity rapidly. The

contaminated LOX would be pumped through a steel pipe to a concrete holding pond located

83.8 m (275 ft) northeast of the pad. The pond was constructed with sloped concrete sides and a

flat bottom. Here the LOX was allowed to evaporate. The pond, along with the components of

the pumping station, was removed sometime after 1967 when LC-18 was abandoned in place.

Today nothing is left of the equipment or AST located at this facility. The pond also no

longer exists. The south wall are has been incorporated into one of the sides of a corrosion

control area. Otherwise it is not being used. Current condition of the facility can be seen in

Figure 40.



Figure 41. View to the west of the LC-18B MST track.

6.7.6 LC-18B Mobile Service Tower Tracks (8BR2949)

The MST and tracks were constructed in 1957 in support of the Thor missile program and

had the same configuration as the two used at adjacent LC-17. It was used for the servicing of

launch vehicles. Unlike at LC-17 there was no permanent launch stand when it was originally

constructed. Instead the missiles were driven to the pad on a mobile launcher and moved to the

vertical position where it was then surrounded by the MST. The arm of the mobile launcher

would then lower to the horizontal position. It could also be hoisted by a monorail crane located

at the top of the structure if the mobile launcher was not used. When the MST was rolled back

the missile was then left on either the mobile launcher or a launch stand with UT.

The MST was a rectangular-shaped structure mounted on four drive truck assemblies. It

consisted of open steel framing with six retractable servicing and checkout levels for vehicle

preparation, checkout, simulated launches and countdown preparations. On levels four and six

were areas enclosed with nylon or plastic sheeting for accessing the missile while limiting

exposure to the elements. At the top was a 1361 kg (1.5 ton) monorail crane used to lift the

missile onto the launch stand. It was locked in place on the launch pad and at the west end

parking location with sets of four concrete guy anchors and steel pins. The MST was mounted on

rails and moved down the center of the launch pad from where the launch stand was located to


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 124.6 m (409 ft) south. There are two rails two 15.2 cm (6 in) wide steel rails placed 18.3 m (60

ft) apart (Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956). Today the MST is gone and is believed

to have been removed sometime after it was abandoned in 1967. The rails can be seen in Figure

41.

Figure 41. View to the southeast of the LC-18B instrumentation trench.

6.7.7 LC-18B Instrumentation Trench (8BR2950)

In the blockhouse were two firing rooms with an underground instrumentation trench

extending from each to the pads. A trench runs from the south firing room in the blockhouse

southeast to Pad B. The U-shaped trench is recessed approximately 61 cm (2 ft) below ground

surface and covered with steel plates to allow access. The instrumentation trench was 30.5 m

(100 ft long) and 91.4 cm (3 ft) wide. Along the walls are metal brackets which were used to

support hundreds of meters of electrical and communication cables. The trench was kept dry

with a sump pump (Maurice H. Connell and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956). Current

conditions can be seen in Figure 42.

6.7.8 LC-18B Helium Line Trench (8BR2951)

The helium line trench constructed in 1957 contained a helium line originated at the



Figure 42. View to the east of the LC18Bb Helium Line Trench

former Helium Building/Storage Area which was located south of Facility 24450. It continued

east where it intersected the LC-18B Instrumentation Trench and terminated at the former De-

Fuel Pump Station at the northeast corner of Pad B. The pipeline is gone (demolished in 1967) as

is the section of trench east of the instrumentation trench.

When constructed it was approximately 38.1 m (125 ft) in length. Today it is only 15.2 m

(50 ft) in length. The U-shaped trench was constructed of poured concrete and approximately 61

cm (2 ft) of the total 91.4 cm (3 ft) height is recessed below ground surface. Today it is open and

empty but when it was constructed the helium pipeline was suspended by hangers. The width of

the trench is 40.6 cm (16 in). The trench was kept dry with a sump pump (Maurice H. Connell

and Associates, Inc. 1956; Rogers 1956). This is the only structure associated with the helium

system remaining intact at LC-18. Current conditions can be seen in Figure 43.

7.0 DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

In 1982 RAI conducted an architectural assessment of launch related facilities at CCAFS.

The results of their survey and recommendations were discussed in their report An Architectural

and Engineering Survey and Evaluation of Facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,

Brevard County, Florida (Barton et al. 1984). In this report they stated that LC-18 was


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida significant for its role in the development of IRBMs.

In 1993 a second architectural and engineering survey was conducted of the launch

complexes by CERL. In the report it was stated (McCarthy et al. 1993:80):

Complex 18 no longer contains sufficient physical features to meet NRHP requirements under criterion C ("embodying distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction..."). Complex 18 was constructed for the Navy's Vanguard earth satellite program and for research and development of the Thor missile. The complex was later modified to support the Blue Scout program. Although some historical significance can be attributed to the development of these programs at Complex 18 the complex is interpreted as no longer possessing sufficient integrity for potential National Register eligibility.

It was their opinion that LC-18 no longer retained enough intact structures or facilities that

would make the complex eligible for listing on the NRHP and in their opinion the launch

programs conducted here were not of significance.

In 2007, the 45 SW CRM submitted documentation to the Florida SHPO regarding the

NRHP eligibility status of the LC-18 Blockhouse (Facility 24401). At that time FMSF forms

were completed and submitted along with as-built drawings and a brief summary. In the letter

responding the submission the Florida SHPO concurred that the building was NRHP eligible

under Criteria A and C (FDHR File # 2007-5310).

In July 2012, the 45 SW CRM revisited the complex to conduct a survey of the entire

complex. As a result the 45 SW concurs with the findings of the 1993 survey by CERL. Most of

the launch related structures and facilities are no longer present at the site. In addition, LC-18

had a limited role in the development of the US missile programs. All the Vanguard launches (12

total) were launched from LC-18A most of which were failures. One launched the second US

satellite into orbit. A total of 16 Scout series missiles were launched from LC-18A. However,

this was a minor project with limited results. Aa total of 10 Thor launches were conducted at LC-

18B. Almost all the Thor missiles (108 total) were tested and launched from adjacent LC-17. It is

the opinion that LC-18 should be documented (hence this report) and recorded as a historic site it

does not warrant NRHP listing.



Table 5. NRHP Eligibility for LC-18 Site

Number Facility

Number1 Current Name

Year Built

NRHP Eligibility

8BR2144 24401 LC-18 Blockhouse 1957 Eligible

8BR2482 **** De-LOX Pump Station 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2938 24448 Electrical Switch Station 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2939 24450 Storage Building 1958 Not Eligible

8BR2940 24445 Paint Storage 1960 Not Eligible

8BR2941 1309 Launch Pad 18-A 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2942 24403 Electrical Distribution Building 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2943 **** LC-18A Instrumentation Trench 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2944 **** LC-18A MST Tracks 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2945 **** LC-18A Blue Scout Jr. Movable Shelter Tracks 1960 Not Eligible

8BR2946 **** Launch Pad 18-B 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2947 24404 Electrical Distribution Building 1957 Not Eligible

8BR2948 24405 Storage Area 1958 Not Eligible

8BR2949 **** LC-18B MST Tracks 1958 Not Eligible

8BR2950 **** LC-18B Instrumentation Trench 1958 Not Eligible

8BR2951 **** LC-18B Helium Line Trench 1958 Not Eligible

8BR2952 **** Launch Complex 18 1957-1958 Not Eligible

However, the 45 SW CRM maintains that the LC-18 blockhouse is NRHP eligible. It is

associated with our early satellite program, was associated with the launching of the second

American satellite into space, and is associated with the development of the Thor IRBM. In

addition, the blockhouse should be considered under its method of construction and architecture.

The LC-18 Blockhouse is unique in that it is one of few remaining examples of beginning of the

development of rocket and missile launch complex architecture. Except for one other blockhouse

dating to the period all subsequent examples built were circular in shape with domed roofs. LC-

18 exemplifies one of the early blockhouses and therefore embodies the distinctive

characteristics of a type, period, and method of construction. The NRHP eligibility of LC-18

1 Facilities abandoned in place and no longer recorded by the Real Property office no longer have numbers


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida facilities are summarized in Table 5.

8.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

8.1 Summary

A review of the literature was performed as the first step in preparation of the

archaeological and historical study. Copies of historical survey reports for Brevard County and

the project area were obtained from the FMSF of the DHR in Tallahassee. The reports were

reviewed to become familiar with the current state of research for the site area and Brevard

County. Archaeological publications for the area were reviewed and literature searches were also

conducted at the Tebeau Field Library of Florida History and University of Central Florida for

documents and references that may have relevance to the project area. The files of the Brevard

County Historical Society, Brevard County Planning Office, Brevard County Property

Appraiser’s Office, and Tebeau Library of Florida History were reviewed for the parcels and

adjoining parcels. This research included land records, maps, genealogical records, historic

documents, and aerial photographs of the area. A search was conducted of the Title and Records

Section, FDEP for historic records and information from previous surveys conducted in the

project area. Additional research included research of the HABS/HAER database for historic

properties. Other databases used include historical Department of Transportation (DOT) aerials,

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, historical structures, and topographic maps. The standards set

forth in the ASTM Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (E-1527-00)

were also utilized for this project. This includes a conducting reviewing at least one aerial

photograph dating back at least 50 years and in intervals of 10-15 years, review of the FEMA

floodplain maps, wetland maps, construction documents, Soil Conservation Service county soil

book, interviews, and general public records A review was conducted of historical CCAFS maps

and Basic Information Guides (BIGs). Construction plans were reviewed for information on the

original use and configuration of the buildings. The 45 SW CRM adapted the methodology

developed in 1995 for the assessment of Cold War resources for Air Force Combat Command

(Lewis, et. al. 1995).

8.2 Conclusions

Based on the research, Launch Complex 18 is an important resource due to its


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida relationship to the Cold War. While it had a role in the missile race with the USSR it was a

minor one. The complex was abandoned in place in 1967 and many of the components that

would have made it significant have been demolished. Today the complex is used to store

material including chemical toilets while the LC-18B area is being used by the corrosion

control/paint shop as an outdoor sandblasting and painting facility for mid-to-large size metal

objects. While the complex is worthy of documentation only the blockhouse is NRHP eligible. It

is has been incorporated into the Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan and CCAFS

General Plan for preservation.

9.0 REFERENCES

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Bowman, Norman J.

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Cleary, M. C.

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Mannino, Vito V.

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and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.

Mark, Eduard

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Air Force Base, Florida. Drawing # 60-08-AP. Drawing on file, 45 SW Cape Canaveral

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33994. Photograph on file, 45 SW, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.


45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 1958c Thor on LC18B. Photograph # PL58C-44761. Photograph on file, 45 SW, Cape


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EST. Photograph # PL60C-90683. Photograph on file, 45 SW, Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station, FL.

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# CAN-0812. Drawing on file 45 SW, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.

1956c G/Missile Launch Facility 18A, ELSSE COTAR Syetm for 102° Flight Line. Drawing #

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45 Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 1957a G/Missile Launch Facility 18A, Compressed Air Building (Vanguard). Drawing #

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August 1960. Photograph # FL-60-51805. Photograph on file, NARA, Washington, DC.

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Force Base, FL.

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Air Force Base, FL.

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July 10, 2012. End Note

1. Several photographs taken of LC-18 in the 1950s and 1960s which are now archived at NARA were erroneous described when originally labeled as being associated with the Pershing and Draco programs.


APPENDIX A

HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS

Figure A-1. LC-18 under construction in 1956 (USAF 1956a).

Figure A-2. Aerial photograph from February 1957 looking east at LC-18 (USAF 1957).

Figure A-3. August 1960 photograph from LC-18A, looking southwest (USAF 1960b).

Figure A-4. August 1960 photograph from the LC-18 blockhouse toward pad 18A (USAF 1960d).

Figure A-5. LC-18 blockhouse view to the northwest from 1961 (USAF 1961c).

Figure A-6. View inside the LC-18 Blockhouse firing room (USAF 1959b).

Figure A-7. View to the north of Thor missile on LC-18B in 1958 (NASA 1958

Figure A-8. View toward LC-18B with Thor missile on pad and MST rolled back, ca. 1960s (photograph courtesy of Don George).

APPENDIX B

CURRENT PHOTOGRAPHS

Figure B-1. Looking northwest toward blockhouse and support buildings

Figure B-2. Hoppers containing blast sand for use corrosion control shop.

Figure B-3. View to the west of chemical toilets being stored on site.

Figure B-4. Weather meter station located southeast of blockhouse

Figure B-5. View to the south of impact crater caused by 1996 Delta II explosion.

Figure B-6. View to the northeast of the LC-18 Blockhouse.

Figure B-7. View inside Facility 24403 looking south.

Figure B-8. View inside of Facility 24403 looking northwest.

Figure B-9. Location of LC-18A launch stand footer.

Figure B-10. View to the south of the LC-18 MST tracks.

Figure B-11. View to the northeast of pulley system at east end of the Blue Scout Jr. Mobile Shelter Track.

. Figure B-12. View of the south of power box for the pulley system at the Blue Scout Jr. Mobile Shelter Track.

Figure B-13. Unknown structure at the former JP-4 facility.

Figure B-14. View to the south of Facility 24404 at LC-18B.

Figure B-15. View to the east of Facility 24405 at LC-18B.

Figure B-16. View to the southwest showing details of LC-18B deluge system.

Figure B-17. View to the south of the western portion of LC-18B.

Figure B-18. Looking south across eastern portion of LC-18B.

APPENDIX C

AS-BUILT DRAWINGS

APPENDIX D

FMSF FORMS

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