Complex 36, Pad B aerial view
Complex 36, Pad B aerial view Zoom

Here is an aerial view of Complex 36, Pad B. In this photo, the Umbilical Tower and Mobile Service Tower (left to right) are together in the position they would normally be in to service a vehicle prior to launch. The UT stands 185 feet tall, and the MST is 209 feet tall.

The white tank immediately below the UT is for LH2 (liquid hydrogen). The piping coming from the tank leads to the hydrogen burn stack, which allows excess gas to be burned off. Further to the left is the tankage for RP-1 (kerosene) fuel. At the lower right in the photo is the fuel dump basin.

The rails on which the MST travels extend to the right. The blockhouse (one blockhouse controls both pads) is off in the same direction. Pad A, which is similar in layout to this pad, is roughly in the direction pointed to by the fuel dump basin. The road extending toward the upper right of the photo leads to Gate 2 of the Complex (Gate 1 is near Pad A). All spacecraft entering the complex travel on this road.

See an Atlas IIA on the pad at Complex 36
Complex 36 (ground level)
Photo Copyright © 1999
Joe Marino/Aerospace Reports Photographic Services.
Joe is a staff photographer for the National Space Society.
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