# Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A

> former rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the United States

**Wikidata**: [Q107256021](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107256021)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cape-canaveral-space-launch-complex-17a

## Summary
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A was a former rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the United States, operating from 1957 until its demolition in 2018. It was part of the broader Space Launch Complex 17 and supported various missile and satellite launch programs, including the Thor, Delta, and Delta II rockets. The site was demolished in 2018 after decades of service, marking the end of its operational life.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Former entity (no longer operational)
- **Aliases**: LC-17A, LC17A, SLC-17A, SLC17A, Launch Complex 17A, Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral LC-17A, Cape Canaveral SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral AFS Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral AFS LC-17A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS LC-17A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS SLC-17A, CCAFS SLC-17A, CCSFS SLC-17A
- **Country**: United States
- **Located in**: Brevard County
- **Part of**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17
- **Operators**: United States Air Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- **Inception**: 1956
- **Short name**: SLC-17A
- **Coordinates**: 28.447146432165457° N, 80.56494329973196° W
- **Instance of**: Launch pad (demolished or destroyed)
- **Capital cost**: $3,503,000 (1956)
- **Service entry**: August 30, 1957
- **Service retirement**: August 2009
- **Demolition date**: July 12, 2018
- **Significant events**:
  - Construction (April–November 1956)
  - Acceptance by the United States Air Force (April 1957)
  - Service entry (August 30, 1957)
  - Renovation for Thor-Delta and Delta rockets (1960)
  - Renovation for Delta II (1988–1989)
- **Supported rockets**: PGM-17 Thor, Thor-Able, Thor Able I, Thor Able II, Thor Able III, Thor Able IV, Thor-Ablestar, Thor-Delta, Delta, Delta II
- **Wikidata ID**: Q64139102 (reference date: July 9, 2020)
- **BabelNet ID**: 00101101a (related match)
- **Commons Category**: "No longer existent subjects"
- **Main Topic Category**: "Category:Former entities"

## FAQs
**What was Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A used for?**
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A was a rocket launch site that supported various missile and satellite launch programs, including the Thor, Delta, and Delta II rockets. It was operational from 1957 until its demolition in 2018.

**Which organizations operated Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A?**
The site was operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during its operational life.

**When was Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A demolished?**
The site was demolished on July 12, 2018, after decades of service.

**What rockets were launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A?**
The site supported launches of the PGM-17 Thor, Thor-Able, Thor Able I, Thor Able II, Thor Able III, Thor Able IV, Thor-Ablestar, Thor-Delta, Delta, and Delta II rockets.

**Where is Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A located?**
The site is located in Brevard County, Florida, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

## Why It Matters
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A played a crucial role in the early days of the U.S. space program, supporting numerous missile and satellite launches that contributed to advancements in space exploration. Its demolition in 2018 marked the end of an era for the site, which had been operational since 1957. The site's history is significant for its contributions to the development of rocket technology and its role in the evolution of space launch infrastructure. The site's demolition also highlighted the cyclical nature of space infrastructure, where older facilities are replaced by newer, more advanced ones.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance**: One of the earliest operational launch sites at Cape Canaveral, supporting key missile and satellite programs.
- **Multinational Support**: Operated by both the United States Air Force and NASA, reflecting its role in both military and civilian space endeavors.
- **Technological Evolution**: Supported the transition from Thor to Delta rockets, demonstrating the progression of launch vehicle technology.
- **Demolition and Preservation**: Its demolition in 2018 marked the end of an era, with efforts to preserve its historical significance through documentation and categorization.
- **Global Identifiers**: Recognized in international knowledge bases with specific identifiers, ensuring its place in historical records.

## Body

### Definition and Core Characteristics
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A was a former rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the United States. It was classified as a "former entity" after its demolition in 2018, marking the end of its operational life. The site was part of the broader Space Launch Complex 17 and was known by various aliases, including LC-17A, SLC-17A, and Cape Canaveral SLC-17A. It was located in Brevard County, Florida, and had coordinates of 28.447146432165457° N, 80.56494329973196° W.

### Classification and Taxonomy
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A was classified as a "former entity" and an instance of a "launch pad" that was demolished or destroyed. It was distinct from current entities, proposed entities, and hypothetical entities, and was part of the broader category of "former entities." The site was associated with the "No longer existent subjects" category on Wikimedia Commons and the "Category:Former entities" main topic category.

### Global Identifiers and Aliases
The site was recognized in international knowledge bases with specific identifiers, including Wikidata ID Q64139102 (reference date: July 9, 2020) and BabelNet ID 00101101a (related match). It had a rich array of aliases in various languages, reflecting its global significance. The site was also supported by a comprehensive set of aliases in English, including LC-17A, LC17A, SLC-17A, SLC17A, Launch Complex 17A, Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral LC-17A, Cape Canaveral SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral AFS Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral AFS LC-17A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS LC-17A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS SLC-17A, CCAFS SLC-17A, and CCSFS SLC-17A.

### Categorization and Media Presence
The site had a dedicated presence in media and topic categorization systems, including the "No longer existent subjects" category on Wikimedia Commons and the "Category:Former entities" main topic category. The site was also associated with an image of a Delta II rocket being assembled on the pad at Cape Canaveral.

### Relationships and Distinctions
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A was part of Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 and was operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was distinct from current entities, proposed entities, and hypothetical entities, and was not to be confused with former qualities, canceled names, replaced entities, or hypothetical entities. The site was also partially coincident with replaced entities and hypothetical entities, while maintaining its unique definition.

### Historical Timeline
- **1956**: Inception of the site.
- **April–November 1956**: Construction of the site.
- **April 1957**: Acceptance by the United States Air Force.
- **August 30, 1957**: Service entry.
- **1960**: Renovation for Thor-Delta and Delta rockets.
- **1988–1989**: Renovation for Delta II rockets.
- **August 2009**: Service retirement.
- **July 12, 2018**: Demolition of the site.

### Supported Rockets
The site supported launches of the PGM-17 Thor, Thor-Able, Thor Able I, Thor Able II, Thor Able III, Thor Able IV, Thor-Ablestar, Thor-Delta, Delta, and Delta II rockets. These launches contributed to advancements in missile and satellite technology, reflecting the site's role in the evolution of space launch infrastructure.

### Financial and Operational Details
The site had a capital cost of $3,503,000 in 1956. It was operational from 1957 until its demolition in 2018, with a short name of SLC-17A. The site's demolition marked the end of an era for the site, which had been operational for decades. The site's history is significant for its contributions to the development of rocket technology and its role in the evolution of space launch infrastructure.

## References

1. [Source](https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/07/12/launch-complex-17-demolition/)
2. [Source](https://ccspacemuseum.org/facilities/launch-complex-17/)