Gallery: Fascinating Photos of NASA's Abandoned Launch Sites
Roland Miller01V2 Launch Site with Hermes A-1 Rocket, Launch Complex 33 Gantry, White Sands Missile Range, NM, 2006. “This was one of the earliest launch complexes built. It was originally used to test launch captured German V2 rockets. Many of the features in LC 33's blockhouse made there way into other blockhouses at Cape Canaveral--like multiple panes of glass laminated together to allow for protected viewing of the launch from the blockhouse.”
V2 Launch Site with Hermes A-1 Rocket, Launch Complex 33 Gantry, White Sands Missile Range, NM, 2006. “One of the earliest launch complexes built. Used to test launch captured German V2 rockets. Many of the features in LC 33's blockhouse made there way into other blockhouses at Cape Canaveral--like multiple panes of glass laminated together to allow for protected viewing of the launch from the blockhouse.”
Roland Miller02Shelter Dome
Shelter Dome, Rubber Room, Launch Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, 1996. “Adjoining the Rubber Room was a Shelter Dome room with the floor set on springs to isolate the occupants from whatever conflagration may be occurring above them as they seek shelter.”
Roland Miller03Wind Tunnel Test Chamber with Model,
Wind Tunnel Test Chamber with Model, 7 X 10 Foot Wind Tunnel, NASA Langley Research Center, VA, 1997.
Roland Miller04Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank, Lunar Module, Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, KS, 2002. “I photographed this fuel tank while it was in storage, attracted to the amazing colors the oxidation created.”
Roland Miller05Saturn V F1 Center Engine
Saturn V F1 Center Engine, Saturn V Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL, 1997. “I was asked, in 1997, to photograph the newly opened Saturn V Center, including access to a high-lift for vantage points like this view of the center Saturn V F1 engine.”
Roland Miller06Horizontal Gantry from Base, Gemini Titan Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, 1991. “Launch Complex 19 was the first abandoned launch pad I visited. It was 1988, and I was amazed that the light bulbs on the erector were mostly intact more than 22 years after the last Gemini mission. The erector at Pad 19 was hinged at the base. It was lowered before every launch. After the last launch, it was left in the horizontal position.”
Horizontal Gantry from Base, Gemini Titan Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, 1991. “This was the first abandoned launch pad I visited. It was 1988. I was amazed that the light bulbs were mostly intact 22 years after the last Gemini mission. The erector at Pad 19 was hinged at the base, and lowered before every launch. After the final launch, it was left horizontal.”
Roland Miller07Telemetry Receivers, Strip Chart Recorders, and Tape Recorders,
Telemetry Receivers, Strip Chart Recorders and Tape Recorders, Blockhouse, Redstone Launch Complex 26, Cape Canaveral, FL, 2000. “A stop on one of the Kennedy Space Center bus tours. The blockhouse is often staffed by retired NASA employees who actually worked in the blockhouse and on the Redstone rocket. They explain the procedures and technology of the day.”
Roland Miller08Mobile Service Tower Platforms,
Mobile Service Tower Platforms, Atlas Launch Complex 36B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, 2005. “I photographed Atlas Launch Complex 36B while it was being decommissioned. The mobile service towers of Pads A and B were imploded in 2007. Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station sent Surveyor, Mariner, and Pioneer missions on their way to explore the Moon and the planets of our solar system.”
Roland Miller09Apollo Saturn F1 Engine Cluster
Apollo Saturn F1 Engine Cluster, NASA Johnson Space Center, TX, 1996. “I made this image laying on my back with my camera on my face in a light rain. I enjoy the visual reference to Nefertiti.”
Roland Miller10Gemini, Mercury, and Apollo Test Models
Gemini, Mercury, and Apollo Test Models, Spin Test Tunnel Office, NASA Langley Research Center, VA, 1997. “I asked the staff if I could photograph these models. I was planning on photographing right where they were. When I returned from photographing the Spin Test Tunnel, the staff had set them on the counter showing off the scientific illustrations on the blackboard behind them — a wonderful background.”
Roland Miller11Liquid Fuel Tank Support
Liquid Fuel Tank Support, Apollo Saturn Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, 1993. “There were two of these fuel pressure spheres near the entrance to Launch Complex 37. One has been repurposed and is now used to support Delta IV rocket launches. The other sphere was removed.”
Roland Miller12BlockhouseBlockhouse,Apollo Saturn Complex 37,Cape Canaveral
Blockhouse, Apollo Saturn Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, 1992. “Many of these abandoned space launch and test facilities bring to mind other archeological sites. This blockhouse reminded me of a pyramid or ziggurat.”
Roland Miller13Flooded Room Beneath Pad 19Flooded Room Beneath Pad 19,Gemini
Flooded Room Beneath Pad 19, Gemini Titan Launch Complex 19, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, 1992. “This is an image of a large square girder in a flooded compartment beneath the launch pad. What I couldn't have predicted were the swirling reflections of light in the water coming from openings in the roof. They looked like little galaxies.”
Roland Miller14Launch Ring Restored
Launch Ring Restored, Apollo Saturn Complex 34, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, 2000. “In 1998, the launch ring at Complex 34 was sandblasted and painted to protect it from weathering. I had been trying for years to capture the spiritual quality of this site. I made this photograph near sunset with the blue sky reflecting on the launch pedestal and the last pink rays of sunlight illuminating the ring and clouds behind.”
