LP-0B (foreground) and LP-0A (further back), prior to the demolition of LP-0A in 2008. |
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| Launch site | WFF (former) MARS |
|---|---|
| Short name | LP-0 |
| Operator | NASA (former) VCSFA |
| Total launches | 5 |
| Launch pad(s) | 2 |
| Pad A (LP-0A) launch history | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Launches | 1 |
| First launch | 23 October 1995 |
| Last launch | 23 October 1995 |
| Associated rockets | Conestoga Antares (future) |
| Pad B (LP-0B) launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launches | 4 |
| First launch | 16 December 2006 |
| Last launch | 19 May 2009 |
| Associated rockets | Minotaur I (active) ALV Minotaur IV (future) Minotaur V (future) |
Launch Pad 0, Pad 0 or LP-0, also known as Launch Area 0 or LA-0, is a launch complex at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island in the United States. Prior to 2003, the complex was part of the Wallops Flight Facility. The pad consists of two individual launch pads, LP-0A and LP-0B.
LP-0A was built for the Conestoga rocket, which made its only flight in 1995.[1] It was subsequently demolished in September 2008,[2] and has now been rebuilt for use by the Orbital Sciences Antares.[3] The pad modifications for Antares included the construction of a Horizontal Integration Facility for launcher/payload mating and a wheeled transporter/erector that will "roll out and erect the rocket on its launch pad about 24 hours prior to launch."[3]
LP-0B became operational in 1999,[4] and was subsequently upgraded in 2003 with the construction of a mobile service tower, which was completed in 2004.[5] It is active, and is currently used by Minotaur rockets. The first launch from LP-0B was of a Minotaur I in December 2006,[6] and was the first launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Pad 0B was also used for the failed ALV X-1 suborbital flight in 2008.
A third launch pad at the complex, to be used by HAD rockets, was proposed but never used.[7]
A Minotaur I with TacSat-3 launched from the complex on May 19, 2009.
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer is scheduled to launch from the complex in mid-2012.
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