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Complex 21 hardsite |
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This is the Complex 21 launch structure (also known as the "hardsite") at Complex 21/22. To the northeast of
the hardsite is the Complex 22 "soft site" which is essentially space for a mobile launcher. The hardsite
contains two launch bays (21-1 and 21-2). The pipes you see extending from the
launch bays are
exhaust tubes. The two-story building to the right houses the Launch Control
Center.
This Complex was built in 1956 to support launches of the Air Force
Mace and Bull Goose missiles. The
first launch took place from this site on July 24, 1958. In 1959, the Complex was rebuilt
(adding the hardsite) to support
launches of the newer Mace missile. The first Mace missile was launched on July 11,
1960 and a total of 44 launches were performed until the last one on July 17, 1963. The
complex remained inactive
until its dismantlement in the early 1970's.
The photo of the hardsite above
was taken in 2005. It has been refurbished since my visit in 1996.
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Photo courtesy of Steve Sanders
Mission Flight Control Officer, CCAFS
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