https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Launch_padLaunch pad - Revision history2026-07-30T14:34:09ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Launch_pad&diff=409829&oldid=prevCleanupBot II at 09:41, 14 August 20232023-08-14T09:41:47Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Facility from which rockets are launched}}<br />
{{About|the structure from which rockets are launched||Launchpad (disambiguation)}}<br />
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[[File:Stspad39baerial.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Launch pad at [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B]] on [[Merritt Island, Florida]] ]]<br />
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A '''launch pad''' is an above-ground facility from which a [[rocket]]-powered [[missile]] or [[space vehicle]] is vertically launched.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Aviation |first=David W. |last=Wragg |isbn=9780850451634 |edition=first |publisher=Osprey |year=1973 |page=175}}</ref> The term ''launch pad'' can be used to describe just the central launch platform ([[mobile launcher platform]]), or the entire complex ('''launch complex'''). The entire complex will include a ''launch mount'' or ''launch platform'' to physically support the vehicle, a [[service structure]] with umbilicals, and the infrastructure required to provide [[liquid-propellant rocket|propellants]], [[cryogenic]] fluids, electrical power, communications, [[telemetry]], rocket assembly,{{Not verified in body}} payload processing,{{Not verified in body}}<!-- seems only some launch pads do rocket assembly and have facilities for payload processing --> storage facilities for propellants and gases, equipment, access roads, and drainage.<br />
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Most launch pads include fixed service structures to provide one or more access platforms to assemble, inspect, and maintain the vehicle and to allow access to the spacecraft, including the loading of crew. The pad may contain a flame deflection structure to prevent the intense heat of the rocket exhaust from damaging the vehicle or pad structures, and a sound suppression system spraying large quantities of water may be employed. The pad may also be protected by [[lightning arrester]]s. A [[spaceport]] typically includes multiple launch complexes and other supporting infrastructure.<br />
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A launch pad is distinct from a [[missile launch facility]] (or '''missile silo''' or '''missile complex'''), which also launches a missile vertically but is located underground in order to help harden it against enemy attack. <br />
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The launch complex for liquid fueled rockets often has extensive [[ground support equipment]] including propellant tanks and plumbing to fill the rocket before launch. [[Cryogenic propellant]]s ([[liquid oxygen]] oxidizer, and [[liquid hydrogen]] or [[liquid methane]] fuel) need to be continuously topped off (i.e., boil-off replaced) during the launch sequence ([[countdown]]), as the vehicle awaits liftoff. This becomes particularly important as complex sequences may be interrupted by planned or unplanned holds to fix problems.<br />
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Most rockets need to be supported and held down for a few seconds after ignition while the engines build up to full [[thrust]]. The vehicle is commonly held on the pad by hold-down arms or [[explosive bolt]]s, which are triggered when the vehicle is stable and ready to fly, at which point all umbilical connections with the pad are released.<br />
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== Transport of rockets to the pad ==<br />
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[[File:Soyuz Rolls Out.jpg|thumb|Transport of [[Soyuz rocket]] to pad by train]]<br />
[[File:STS-114 rollout.jpg|thumb|Transport of [[Space Shuttle]] and [[Mobile launcher platform|MLP]] to pad on [[Crawler-transporter]]]]<br />
[[File:Falcon 9 preparing to launch DSCOVR (16673054016).jpg|thumb|[[SLC-40]] with SpaceX [[Falcon 9]] launch infrastructure. The four towers surrounding the rocket are [[lightning arrester]]s, and acts like a giant [[Faraday cage]]]].<br />
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Each launch site is unique, but a few broad types can be described by the means by which the [[space vehicle]] gets to the pad.{{cn}}<br />
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* Horizontally integrated rockets travel horizontally with the tail forward to the launch site on a [[transporter erector launcher]] and are then raised to the vertical position over the flame duct. Examples include all large Soviet rockets, including [[Soyuz (rocket family)|Soyuz]], [[Proton (rocket)|Proton]], [[N1 (rocket)|N1]], and [[Energia (rocket)|Energia]]. This method is also used by the [[SpaceX launch vehicles|SpaceX]] and [[Electron (rocket)|Electron]] launch vehicles.<br />
* Silo launched rockets are assembled inside of a [[missile silo]]. This method is only used by converted ICBMs due to the difficulty and expense of constructing a silo that can contain the forces of a rocket launch.<br />
* Vertically integrated rockets can be assembled in a separate [[hangar]] on a [[mobile launcher platform]] (MLP). The MLP contains the umbilical structure and is carried to the launch site on a large vehicle called [[Crawler-transporter]]. [[Launch Complex 39]] at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] is an example of a facility using this method.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/release/1985/252-85r.htm |title=LAUNCH COMPLEX 39, PADS A AND B |publisher=NASA KSC |year=1992 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921222509/http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/release/1985/252-85r.htm |archive-date=2008-09-21 }}</ref> A similar system is used to launch [[Ariane 5]] rockets at [[ELA-3]] at [[Guiana Space Centre]].<br />
* Vertically assembled vehicles can also be transported on a mobile launcher platform resting on two parallel standard gauge railroad tracks that run from the integration building to launch area. This system is still in use for the [[Atlas V]] and future [[Vulcan (rocket)|Vulcan]].<br />
* At [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6|SLC-6]] and [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 37|SLC-37]], rockets are assembled on the launch mount. A windowless rail-mounted building encloses the launch pad and gantry to protect the vehicle from the elements, and for purposes of military secrecy. Prior to launch,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cpsblaunchpad.com/cpsb-launchpad-4/ |title=Cpsb Launchpad |publisher=Viswanath |year=2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the building is rolled away. This method is also used at [[Kagoshima Space Center|Kagoshima]] for the [[M-V]].<br />
* The former [[Sea Launch]] service used the converted self-propelled oil drilling platform ''[[Ocean Odyssey]]'' to transport [[Zenit 3SL]] rockets horizontally to the [[Equator]], and then to erect and launch them from a [[floating launch platform]] into [[geostationary transfer orbit]]s.<br />
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== See also ==<br />
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* {{annotated link|Ground segment}}<br />
* {{annotated link|Launch vehicle}}<br />
* [[List of rocket launch sites]]<br />
* [[Missile launch facility]]<br />
* [[Non-rocket spacelaunch]]<br />
* {{annotated link|Pad abort test}}<br />
* [[Rocket launch]]<br />
* {{annotated link|Service structure}}<br />
* [[Spaceport]]<br />
* {{annotated link|Stratolaunch Systems}}<br />
* {{annotated link|Transporter erector launcher}}<br />
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== References ==<br />
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{{Navboxes<br />
|title= List of launch pads<br />
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{{Baikonur Cosmodrome launch sites}}<br />
{{CSG launch sites}}<br />
{{Merritt Island}}<br />
{{Plesetsk Cosmodrome launch sites}}<br />
{{Point Arguello launch sites}}<br />
{{Satish Dhawan Space Centre}}<br />
{{Vandenberg Air Force Base launch sites}}<br />
{{Wallops Island}}}}<br />
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[[Category:Rocket launchers]]</div>CleanupBot II