Cape Canaveral Air Station, Launch Complex 17, East end of Lighthouse Road, Cape Canaveral, Brevard County, FL

Significance: Launch Complex 17 has played a key role in the American space program by supporting over 260 launches since 1957. Constructed in 1956 and 1957, the complex originally supported the Air Force's Thor IRBM research and development program. In the late 1950s, the complex began supporting space launches as well. The early space launches at the complex involved Thor boosters in combinations with various upper stages. The Delta space launch vehicle made its debut at the complex in May 1960. Since April of 1965, the complex has exclusively supported Delta space launches. Included among the wide variety of payloads launched at Complex 17 are important research, weather, communication, application, and military satellites, many of which were the first ever of their type. Through continuous upgrades, Launch Complex 17 continues to be a vital space launch facility.
Survey number: HAER FL-8-5
Building/structure dates: 1956 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 84003872