Pictured here is the site of Launch Complex 48 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on June 1, 2021. The spaceport’s newest launch site is designed specifically for small-class commercial vehicles and the small satellite industry. Located about a mile south of Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A on Cape Road, and completed in August 2020, the 10-acre complex provides a dedicated space for vehicles generating 500,000 pounds of thrust or less. The “clean pad” design and basic infrastructure of Launch Complex 48 offers greater flexibility for small-class vehicle with rockets possessing varying needs.

Pictured here is the site of Launch Complex 48 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on June 1, 2021. The spaceport’s newest launch site is designed specifically for small-class commercial vehicles and the small satellite industry. Located about a mile south of Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A on Cape Road, and completed in August 2020, the 10-acre complex provides a dedicated space for vehicles generating 500,000 pounds of thrust or less. The “clean pad” design and basic infrastructure of Launch Complex 48 offers greater flexibility for small-class vehicle with rockets possessing varying needs.

Pictured here is the site of Launch Complex 48 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on June 1, 2021. The spaceport’s newest launch site is designed specifically for small-class commercial vehicles and the small satellite industry. Located about a mile south of Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A on Cape Road, and completed in August 2020, the 10-acre complex provides a dedicated space for vehicles generating 500,000 pounds of thrust or less. The “clean pad” design and basic infrastructure of Launch Complex 48 offers greater flexibility for small-class vehicle with rockets possessing varying needs.

STS-38 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad at 6:48:15:0639 pm (Eastern Standard Time (EST)) for Department of Defense (DOD)-devoted mission. OV-104, atop the external tank (ET) and flanked by solid rocket boosters (SRBs), is almost clear of the launch tower which is lit up by the SRB and space shuttle main engine (SSME) firings. Spotlight equipment is silhouetted against the SRB/SSME glow in the foreground. The retracted rotating service structure (RSS) is highlighted against the evening darkness by the launch fireworks.

S91-44810 (12 Aug 1991) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery is rolled to launch pad 39A atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler/transporter. Already at the pad and awaiting installation in the orbiter cargo bay is the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), the primary payload which Discovery will carry into space on NASA?s STS-48 mission. A crew of five astronauts will be on board when Discovery lifts off in September. (KSC photo id: KSC-91PC-1474)

STS048-S-172 (12 Sept 1991) ---- With five astronauts and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) onboard, the Space Shuttle Discovery heads toward a six day mission in Earth orbit. Onboard are astronauts John O. Creighton, Kenneth S. Reightler, Charles D. (Sam) Gemar, James F. Buchli and Mark N. Brown. Liftoff occurred at 7:11:04 p.m. (EDT), September 12, 1991.

STS048-S-171 (12 Sept 1991) --- With five astronauts and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) onboard, the Space Shuttle Discovery heads toward a six day mission in Earth orbit. Onboard are astronauts John O. Creighton, Kenneth S. Reightler, Charles D. (Sam) Gemar, James F. Buchli and Mark N. Brown. Liftoff occurred at 7:11:04 p.m. (EDT), September 12, 1991.