# Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B > former rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the United States **Wikidata**: [Q107256023](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107256023) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cape-canaveral-space-launch-complex-17b ## Summary Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B is a launch pad.[1] ## Summary Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B (SLC-17B) was a rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, operational from 1957 to 2011. It supported over 150 launches, including critical NASA and military missions, and was demolished in 2018 after retirement. The site played a key role in launching satellites, interplanetary probes, and the Delta II rocket. ## Key Facts - **Inception**: 1956 (construction completed in September 1956). - **Service Entry**: January 25, 1957. - **Retirement**: September 10, 2011 (last launch: *GRAIL* mission). - **Demolition**: July 12, 2018. - **Capital Cost**: $3,503,000 (1956 USD). - **Operators**: United States Air Force (USAF) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). - **Location**: Brevard County, Florida, USA (coordinates: 28.44578375422623° N, -80.5656706821949° W). - **Part Of**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17. - **Rockets Launched**: Thor-Ablestar, Thor-Delta, Delta, Delta II, and Delta III. - **Notable Missions**: *Pioneer*, *Ranger*, *Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter*, *Mars Odyssey*, and GPS satellites. - **Status**: Former entity (Wikidata ID: Q64139102; instance of: launch pad, demolished entity). ## FAQs **What was the primary purpose of Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B?** It served as a launch site for military, scientific, and exploratory spacecraft, including satellites, lunar probes, and Mars missions, from 1957 to 2011. **When was SLC-17B first used, and what was its last mission?** The first launch occurred on January 25, 1957, using a Thor-Ablestar rocket. Its final mission launched NASA’s *GRAIL* lunar probes on September 10, 2011. **Why was the complex demolished in 2018?** The site was decommissioned due to the retirement of the Delta II rocket and the transition to newer launch systems, with demolition marking the end of its operational legacy. **What notable spacecraft were launched from SLC-17B?** Key missions included the *Pioneer* and *Ranger* lunar probes, *Mars Odyssey*, *Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter*, and numerous GPS satellites critical to global navigation. **How many launches were conducted from the site?** SLC-17B hosted over 150 launches, spanning early U.S. space efforts, the Space Race, and modern satellite deployments. ## Why It Matters Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B was pivotal to U.S. space exploration and military satellite deployment. It supported pioneering missions like *Pioneer* and *Ranger*, laid groundwork for interplanetary research, and facilitated the GPS constellation. Its demolition in 2018 symbolized the end of an era for mid-20th-century launch infrastructure, transitioning to modern systems like SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The site’s legacy includes advancing telecommunications, navigation, and scientific discovery, cementing its role in the history of spaceflight. ## Notable For - **First Delta Launch**: SLC-17B launched the first Thor-Delta rocket in 1960, establishing the Delta family’s reliability for NASA and commercial missions. - **Interplanetary Missions**: Served as the launch site for *Mars Odyssey* (2001) and lunar probes critical to Apollo-era science. - **GPS Deployment**: Launched numerous GPS satellites, forming the backbone of global positioning systems. - **Space Race Infrastructure**: A key asset during the Cold War, supporting U.S. efforts to achieve space superiority. - **Long Operational Tenure**: Active for 54 years, adapting to launch Delta II/III rockets after early Thor-Ablestar operations. ## Body ### History Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B was constructed between April and September 1956 at a cost of $3.5 million. It was accepted by the USAF in September 1956 and entered service on January 25, 1957, with the launch of a Thor-Ablestar rocket. The site underwent renovations in 1960, 1988–1989, and 1997 to accommodate evolving rocket designs, including the Delta, Delta II, and Delta III. It was retired in 2011 after launching NASA’s *GRAIL* mission and demolished in July 2018. ### Operations SLC-17B hosted over 150 launches, beginning with military payloads and expanding to scientific and commercial missions. Key rockets included: - **Thor-Ablestar** (1957–1965): Deployed early satellites and lunar probes. - **Thor-Delta/Delta** (1960–1980s): Supported NASA’s *Pioneer*, *Ranger*, and *Lunar Orbiter* programs. - **Delta II/III** (1989–2011): Launched interplanetary missions (*Mars Odyssey*), GPS satellites, and the *Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter*. ### Infrastructure The complex was part of the larger Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, which included SLC-17A. It featured launch pads, fueling systems, and control facilities modified over decades to handle larger rockets. A 1997 renovation enabled Delta III launches, though the rocket saw limited use. ### Decommissioning SLC-17B was retired in 2011 due to the phase-out of the Delta II rocket and the rise of newer launch vehicles. Demolition in 2018 removed the launch tower and infrastructure, concluding its 62-year history. The site’s legacy is preserved through the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station museum and historical records. ## References 1. [Source](https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/07/12/launch-complex-17-demolition/) 2. [Source](http://mail.afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/CX17/) 3. [Source](https://ccspacemuseum.org/facilities/launch-complex-17/) 4. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/c/capecanaverallc17b.html)