Launch Site - USA

The NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida is the launch site for the US Space Shuttle.  The center has been the launch site for all US manned missions, including the Apollo missions to the Moon.  The center is also the main landing site for the US Space Shuttle.

Shuttle Landing Facility

The primary landing site for the US Space Shuttle is this long runway.  The runway is nearly 3 miles (5 kilometers) long.  The Shuttle begins reentry on the other side of the Earth, travelling at more than 20 times the speed of sound.  In less than an hour it glides to a landing on this runway.

Launch Complex 39

The US Space Shuttle uses launch complex 39 which was built for the Apollo missions to the Moon and converted for use by the Shuttle.  Thousands of systems are checked during the countdown in preparation for ignition and launch.

Vehicle Assembly and Launch Control
The US Space Shuttle is assembled at the Vehicle Assembly Building and carried to the launch pad by the mobile transporter.  The launch control center is located next to the assembly building.

KSC Industrial Area

Space Station parts and other payloads to be launched by the US Space Shuttle are prepared for launch in this industrial area of the space center.

CCAFS Industrial Area

The Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is involved in the retrieval and reuse of the Space Shuttle solid rocket boosters.  The US Air Force station also conducts launches of military spacecraft from other launch pads.
