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Author Topic:   Kennedy Space Center LC-39 launch markers
SpaceKSCBlog
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Posts: 119
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011

posted 04-27-2012 07:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceKSCBlog   Click Here to Email SpaceKSCBlog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Markers listing the launches from Complex 39 were installed earlier this week at Universal Camera Site 7, on the Cape Road about halfway between LC-39A and 39B at Kennedy Space Center.

I was told there was a billboard south of 39A during the Apollo era that was long ago demolished. Does anyone know anything about that?

garymilgrom
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Posts: 2132
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 04-27-2012 07:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Those are wonderful — very attractive. Kudos to NASA or whoever for the idea.

Are they made of something that will withstand the Florida climate?

LM-12
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Posts: 3912
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 04-27-2012 12:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There is a 1972 photo of Apollo 17 and that Pad 39A billboard on this website.

SpaceKSCBlog
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Posts: 119
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011

posted 04-27-2012 04:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceKSCBlog   Click Here to Email SpaceKSCBlog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the reference, that makes sense. I was told remnants were once there, but all that remains now are the connections for the lights, the driver said. I'll have to go out and look myself some day.
quote:
Originally posted by garymilgrom:
Are they made of something that will withstand the Florida climate?
The back appears to be steel painted black. Can't say what the signs are made of.

Like anything here in the Space Coast, it only takes a strong enough hurricane to consign it to history.

SpaceKSCBlog
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Posts: 119
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011

posted 04-28-2012 11:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceKSCBlog   Click Here to Email SpaceKSCBlog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I went out this morning to shoot photos at the location where I think the old Apollo billboard was:

This is all that remains:

LM-12
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Posts: 3912
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 04-28-2012 01:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That looks like the spot. I remember the billboard and how impressed I was seeing the Saturn V on the pad from that viewing location — just like the Apollo 17 photo.

J.L
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Posts: 694
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted 04-29-2012 01:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for J.L   Click Here to Email J.L     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am guessing that the LC-39 marker was out there at the tourist stop for at least 10 years.

Fra Mauro
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Posts: 1739
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 04-30-2012 10:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fra Mauro   Click Here to Email Fra Mauro     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm not suprised that the markers are gone.

mgspacecadet
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Posts: 18
From:
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 05-16-2012 03:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mgspacecadet   Click Here to Email mgspacecadet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you very much for this posting on the new LC-39 markers. I was involved in the project to get these signs installed. As you might imagine, some number of individuals were involved.

During this project, we researched the previous sign(s) installed in the vicinity of LC39A. We (me and fellow KSC associates) believe there were two versions of the vintage sign (only ever showing Apollo launches and removed some years ago); one with white letters on black background, as shown above (and versions with and without lights) and one with black letters on white background. We were unable to find, through our research, a photo of the white background sign. Please post/send me same if you find.

LM-12
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Posts: 3912
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 05-16-2012 05:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Where is this Apollo 11 plaque located?

It was placed at the launch site in 1974. Is it near the new markers shown in the first two photos?

J.L
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Posts: 694
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted 05-16-2012 11:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for J.L   Click Here to Email J.L     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It was near the large blue LC-39 history sign (in the gravel lot) at the tour stop.

mgspacecadet
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Posts: 18
From:
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 05-17-2012 03:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mgspacecadet   Click Here to Email mgspacecadet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great posting everyone!

With the addition of the new signs at LC-39 A/B, there is now signage at all the US human spaceflight launch sites and missions to date, in some fashion, less one. Believe it or not, there is a great plaque and such on the LC-5 blockhouse noting Alan Shepard's flight, but nothing on same about Gus Grissom's 'Liberty Bell 7' flight. I am working to see what I can do to change that.

LM-12
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Posts: 3912
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 05-17-2012 07:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Is Apollo 7 mentioned at LC-34?

mgspacecadet
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Posts: 18
From:
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 05-17-2012 08:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mgspacecadet   Click Here to Email mgspacecadet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here are several more photos of the various historic signs at LC-39.

This is what I will call the first, black background sign, updated through Apollo 11 and another of a photo apparently autographed by Ken Mattingly.

And courtesy of J.L., here is a shot from May 1971 and the Apollo 15 rollout:

And lastly, a photo taken by J.L. in 1979 with space shuttle Enterprise on the pad.

mgspacecadet
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Posts: 18
From:
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 05-17-2012 11:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mgspacecadet   Click Here to Email mgspacecadet     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
Is Apollo 7 mentioned at LC-34?
Apollo 7 is covered in the kiosk at LC-34.

LM-12
Member

Posts: 3912
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 05-17-2012 11:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The launch towers may be demolished and some of the launch pads may be hard to recognize, but it is good to see that work is being done to place and maintain plaques or markers at all the manned launch sites at both Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.

All times are CT (US)

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