Historical Timeline

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Pad A, Launch Complex 3912 Apr 1981 -The world watched as a spacecraft that looked like a plane roared out of Earth's atmosphere. NASA's Space Transportation System known as the Space Shuttle became the world's first re-useable spacecraft. It launched from the newly refurbished and modified Pad A, at Launch Complex 39. The launch team also used two entirely new sets of computers, called the Launch Processing System. Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen, the crew of STS-1, took Space Shuttle Columbia on a 2 day journey around the Earth. This successful mission ended when the Shuttle landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. + View video feature
 
First Space Shuttle landing on the SLF at KSC11 Feb 1984 - For the first time, following the completion of STS 41-B, the Space Shuttle landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). Specifically designed for returning Space Shuttle orbiters, the SLF opened for business in 1976. Longer and wider than the runways at most commercial airports, the paved runway is 15,000 feet long with a 1,000-foot overrun on each end. Today, the SLF is the preferred end-of-mission landing site, with Edwards Air Force Base in Calif. standing by as the prime alternate site.
 
PHSF in KSC's Industrial Area5 Dec 1986 - The major construction had been completed and the finishing touches were being made to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) in KSC's industrial area. It was designed to support hazardous payload operations such as loading fuel and oxidizer aboard satellites. Until this time, these tasks were conducted in facilities on the Cape Canaveral Air Station. The PHSF is considered a customer-operated facility with the customer assuming responsibility for most of the day-to-day operations in the facility.
 
First use of Pad B for launch of Shuttle Challenger STS-51L28 Jan 1986 - Pad B at Launch Complex 39 was used for the first time in the Space Shuttle Program to launch Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS 51-L. Approximately 73 seconds after its launch at 11:38 a.m. EST, an explosion occurred causing the loss of the orbiter and its crew.
 
Lt. Gen. Forrest S. McCartney, KSC Director1 Sept 1987 - Lt. Gen. Forrest S. McCartney was named the fourth KSC Director. After a distinguished 35-year military career, his tenure at KSC was dominated by engineering and operational responsibilities during the Space Shuttle Program. He oversaw the program's safe return to flight in Sept. 1998 following the Challenger accident in 1986. He left the helm at KSC on Dec. 31, 1991, to work in the private sector.
 
Space Shuttle return to flight with Mission STS-2629 Sept 1988 - Space Shuttle flights resumed after an extensive investigation into the STS 51-L accident and an assessment of the Space Shuttle program was conducted. Mission STS-26 launched at 11:37 a.m. EDT and featured the successful deployment of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-3.
 
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