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Launch complex at Kennedy Space Center
Launch Complex 48
Aerial view of KSC Launch Complex 48. Launch Complexes 39A and 39B are both visible behind the pad.
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Launch site
| Kennedy Space Center
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Time zone
| UTC?5
(
EST
)
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| UTC?4
(
EDT
)
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Short name
| LC-48
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Established
| October 2020
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Operator
| NASA
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Launch pad(s)
| 1 (planned 2)
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Status
| Construction completed
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Launch Complex 48
(
LC-48
) is a multi-user launch site for small launchers and spacecraft. It is located south of
Launch Complex 39A
and north of
Space Launch Complex 41
.
[1]
The construction of LC-48 began in November 2019 but was halted in March 2020 due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic
. Construction was resumed in June 2020, with the completion of the first pad in October 2020.
[2]
LC-48 is designed as a "clean pad" to support multiple launch systems with differing propellant needs. While initially only planned to have a single pad, the complex is capable of being expanded to two at a later date.
With another pad constructed, LC-48 could support up to 104 launches per year, though actual usage is expected to be well below that.
[1]
NASA had previously constructed
LC-39C
within the bounds of
LC-39B
with the purpose of serving small launchers, but the operational constraints of sharing the site on a non-interference basis with both the
Space Launch System
and
OmegA
(now canceled) launch vehicles, along with greater interest by commercial parties than originally anticipated, led NASA to pursue the construction of a dedicated launch site for this class of vehicles.
As of May 2024, LC-48 has seen no launches, and none are currently planned from the complex.
See also
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References
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Launch sites
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Inactive
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Under construction
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Landing sites
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Related
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