As a follow up to my last post here, visiting Kennedy Space Center, I thought I'd give the second part of the visit and one that deserves its own post.
As it chronicles the Mercury Era of the Space Race, through to Gemini and the start of Apollo. And is part of the optional extra tours you can select when visiting.
LAUNCH COMPLEX Bunker 5/6
Bunker Complex 5/6 contains the majority of the original launch systems from the '50s and '60s
From here many a historic space event took place, including launches of Mercury-Redstone
It's easy to tell the age of the computing equipment with all the old tape reels on display within the unit.
From this room, they would launch the rocket's which included a Launch for Alan Shepherd and for Gus Grissom on MR3 and MR4 both in 1961
One of the exhibits on display is a genuine Gemini capsule, in this case, SC-2, Used during the uncrewed testing stages of the Gemini project.
The craft is listed as being the first to ever be reused for a second mission, a feat only repeated since by a capsule by Space X with the Dragon Endeavour in 2021.
Rocket Garden
Classed as Launch Complex 17 and just across from Complex 5/6 is a collection of historic pieces
While these may look to have suffered in the Florida sun, the museum is saying that a restoration process is in place and these will be returned to a preserved state when possible
Which is considered important as many of these are the last remaining examples of rocket or missile programs from this era.
As it may be noticed, it's not all rocket tech on display here, with Train Engines and Sat communications units kept here too!
Complex 5/6
This Complex alone was pivotal towards space launches where from 1955 to 1961 a total of 18 Redstone missiles were launched. As well as the Jupiter series of rockets.
A full size replica of the Redstone-Murcary is on display here, in the exact spot that the real thing took off from. From the Unmanned test missions, To the launch of the Chimpanzee Ham, all from Pad 5.
With a final two launches being manned, the first, most famously by Alan Shepard with the Freedom 7.
To Gus Grissom in the Liberty Bell.
After the launch of Grissom, that was the final time Complex 5/6 was used, and it was transferred into the Museum complex after.
With a move to LC14 after this for the Mercury-Atlas missions.
LC14 has been unused since 1966 and was one part we could not visit.
Launch Complex 34
LC34, used between 1961 and 1968 and launched Saturn 1 and 1B's
A further three Saturn 1 launches took place at this location in 61.
It wasn't until 66 when it was modified for the 1B that it would see reactivation once more.
And Two 1Bs were launched from LC34 later that year.
Apollo 7, the first manned mission of the project launched from this complex, but it was also the last time it would be used.
Today with its towers removed only the launch complex itself remains.
And with its decommissioning, it serves only one purpose today. That of a memorial to the crew of Apollo 1
With a dedication plaque that states
LAUNCH COMPLEX 34
Friday, 27 January 1967
1831 Hours
Dedicated to the living memory of the crew of the Apollo 1
U.S.A.F. Lt. Colonel Virgil I. Grissom
U.S.A.F. Lt. Colonel Edward H. White, II
U.S.N. Lt. Commander Roger B. Chaffee
They gave their lives in service to their country in the ongoing exploration of humankind's final frontier. Remember them not for how they died but for those ideals for which they lived.
