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Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37

Space vehicle launch complex on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

Field	Value
name	Space Launch Complex 37
image	NROL-37 launch tower view.jpg
caption	Delta IV Heavy lifts off from SLC-37B in June 2016 carrying NROL-37
site	Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
location
short	SLC-37
utc_offset	−05:00
time_zone	EST
utc_offset_DST	−04:00
time_zone_DST	EDT
operator	United States Space Force (owner)
SpaceX (tenant)
tlaunches	43
inclination	28° - 57°
paddetails	{{Infobox launch pad/pad
designation	LC-37A
status	Under construction
launches	None
first	Unused
rockets	Future: Starship
Plans cancelled: Saturn I, Saturn IB
designation	SLC-37B
status	Undergoing renovation
launches	43
first	29 January 1964
first_details	Saturn I (SA-5)
last	9 April 2024
last_details	Delta IV Heavy (NROL-70)
rockets	Future: Starship
Retired: Saturn I, Saturn IB, Delta IV, Delta IV Heavy

SpaceX (tenant) Plans cancelled: Saturn I, Saturn IB Retired: Saturn I, Saturn IB, Delta IV, Delta IV Heavy Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37), previously Launch Complex 37 (LC-37), is a launch complex on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Originally built to support the Apollo program, the complex consists of two launch pads: LC-37A and SLC-37B. Pad 37A has never been used, while 37B hosted Saturn I and Saturn IB launches in the 1960s as well as Delta IV and Delta IV Heavy launches from 2002 to 2024.

As of January 2026, the pad is being overhauled by SpaceX for use as a launch site for Starship.

History

Saturn I and IB (1964–1968)

Launch Complex 37 began construction in 1959, being envisioned to be a second site to launch the experimental heavy-lift Saturn rockets, joining Launch Complex 34 (LC-34) to the south. Originally, it was planned to be the launch site for an Earth orbit rendezvous (EOR) strategy to potentially be taken by the Apollo program, where a launch vehicle such as the Saturn C-3 would launch both the trans-lunar injection stage and the Lunar Excursion Module from the two pads, while the crew would lift off from LC-34 and intercept the two payloads in low Earth orbit. Despite NASA opting for a Lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) approach and using the Saturn V from Launch Complex 39 to the north, they nonetheless accepted LC-37 to support the Saturn I program in 1963. [[File:Apollo 5 on pad.jpg|thumb|[[Apollo 5]] at LC-37B in 1968|left]] The original layout of the launch complex featured one Mobile Service Structure which could be used to service or mate a rocket on either LC-37A or 37B, but not on both simultaneously. The first launch from LC-37 came on January 29, 1964, launching Saturn I SA-5 as part of the rocketry development portion of the Apollo program. Over the next two years, a total of six uncrewed Saturn I flights were launched from the complex, mostly carrying boilerplate Apollo capsules alongside the three launches of the Pegasus project.

In late 1965, both LC-37 and LC-34 were modified to launch the Saturn I's successor, the Saturn IB. Similarly to its previous configuration, this was in support of Apollo development before the Saturn V's activation at Kennedy Space Center; however, the original purpose of EOR was also made ready as a backup in case complications render the Saturn V and LOR unfeasible. Only two Saturn IB launches were made from LC-37: the first one was AS-203 (or informally Apollo 3), which launched on July 5, 1966 and tested engine restart capabilities on the S-IVB upper stage. The second one was Apollo 5, lifting off on January 22, 1968 and carrying the first operational test of the Apollo Lunar Module in space. The facility was deactivated in 1972, following the conclusion of the Apollo program. Proposals were drawn of resuming Saturn IB launches from LC-37 and LC-34 as part of the Apollo Applications Program, but NASA instead opted to modify Launch Complex 39B for that role. LC-37 would sit dormant for the next 30 years.

Delta IV and Delta IV Heavy (2002–2024)

In 1998, the United States Air Force and Boeing came into an agreement to use LC-37 for launching the Delta IV as part of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, getting rechristened as SLC-37 as a result of doing so. Having acquired the Delta family following their merger with McDonnell Douglas the previous year, Boeing aimed for the Delta IV to be a complement and not a replacement to the other active members of the time, the Delta II and Delta III. As such (and taking the difference in lift capabilities into account), a new launch site similar in size to SLC-37 was needed rather than continuing to use Space Launch Complex 17 (SLC-17). Facility modifications were made to SLC-37B in 2001, constructing a 330 ft tall Mobile Service Tower fitted to service all planned Delta IV configurations. The complex was officially put into active service with the first launch of the Delta IV on November 20, 2002, carrying Eutelsat 70A to geostationary transfer orbit.

On December 21, 2004, SLC-37 supported the maiden flight of the Delta IV Heavy, which aimed at carrying a boilerplate and an assortment of small satellites into orbit. The next year, citing issues that sprang up with competition, Boeing announced that Delta operations at the pad and at SLC-17 would be combined with those of Atlas V at Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) as part of a joint venture with Lockheed Martin. This handover would be made official with the establishment of United Launch Alliance (ULA) in December 2006, and SLC-37 supported its first launch under ULA with a Delta IV Heavy flight on November 11, 2007.

During the Delta IV era, SLC-37 underwent 35 launches of the family, consisting of 29 Medium launches and 16 Heavy launches. Almost all payloads launched were governmental in nature, with a majority of that subsection being military customers such as the Air Force, the United States Navy, and the National Reconnaissance Office. Some notable missions launched from the facility include GOES-N, GOES-O, and GOES-P for NOAA throughout the late 2000s, Exploration Flight Test-1 for NASA's Orion spacecraft in 2014, and the Parker Solar Probe in 2018.

Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, ULA began to wind down operations at the complex in preparation for the Delta IV's retirement. Their new launch vehicle to replace the Delta and Atlas families, Vulcan Centaur, was planning on having its launch site be at SLC-41 and as such ULA opted to let the SLC-37 lease expire. The final Delta IV Medium launch came on August 22, 2019 carrying a GPS satellite for the Air Force, while the last overall launch of the Delta family came with a Delta IV Heavy launch for the NRO on April 9, 2024.

Starship (from 2025)

During the lead up to the Delta IV's retirement, the United States Space Force (having taken over the Air Force's jurisdiction at Cape Canaveral) and SpaceX began evaluating SLC-37 as a potential launch site for Starship. This would complement SpaceX's existing operations at Starbase and its plans for Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. As part of the process, the Federal Aviation Administration was tasked with preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). The draft EIS, initially expected in December 2024, was released in June 2025. The final study's release was posted in November 2025, with a record of decision being formally issued by the Department of the Air Force on November 20.

SpaceX plans to construct two launch pads with integration towers on the eastern portion of SLC-37, designed to support a potential flight cadence of up to 76 launches per year. In March 2025, SpaceX announced it had received a limited right of entry for SLC-37, which it has used to begin demolition and site clearing. On June 12, the mobile service structure and lightning towers for the Delta IV pad were imploded in a controlled demolition.

The leasing provoked some criticism from residents of neighboring communities such as Titusville and Cape Canaveral, with worries being primarily aired about noise pollution stemming from the high launch cadence at SLC-37 and LC-39A.

Launch statistics

Rocket configuration

List of launches

Saturn I and IB

All flights operated by NASA.

No.	Date	Time (UTC)	Vehicle	Serial Number	Result
29 January 1964	16:25	Saturn I	SA-5	SA-5	First launch from LC-37 and first Block II Saturn I flight. First orbital Saturn launch and first with a live S-IV. Flight notable for being referred to by John F. Kennedy as the one that would place American lift capability ahead of the Soviets.
28 May 1964	17:07	Saturn I	SA-6	AS-101	First Saturn I flight with a boilerplate version of the Apollo CSM. One H-1 engine failed during ascent, but mission performed nominally otherwise.
18 September 1964	16:22	Saturn I	SA-7	AS-102	Boilerplate CSM flight.
16 February 1965	14:37	Saturn I	SA-8	AS-103	Boilerplate CSM flight. Carried Pegasus 1 as a secondary payload attached to the S-IV, designed to study micrometeoroid impacts.
25 May 1965	07:35	Saturn I	SA-9	AS-104	Boilerplate CSM flight. Carried Pegasus 2 as a secondary payload attached to the S-IV, designed to study micrometeoroid impacts.
30 July 1965	13:00	Saturn I	SA-10	AS-105	Boilerplate CSM flight. Carried Pegasus 3 as a secondary payload attached to the S-IV, designed to study micrometeoroid impacts. Last flight of the Saturn I.
5 July 1966	14:53	Saturn IB	SA-203	AS-203	Mission to test restart capabilities of the S-IVB to simulate trans-lunar injection. First Saturn IB launch from LC-37, and only Saturn IB launch without a payload. Also occasionally known as Apollo 3.
22 January 1968	22:48	Saturn IB	SA-204	Apollo 5	Mission to test the lunar module in low Earth orbit. First Saturn IB flight following the Apollo 1 fire, and used Apollo 1's intended rocket for flight. Last unmanned Saturn IB launch, and last Saturn launch from LC-37.

Delta IV

All launches before 2006 operated by Boeing. All launches since 2007 operated by United Launch Alliance.

No.	Date	Time (UTC)	Vehicle	Configuration	last1=Krebs	first1=Gunter	title=Delta-4	url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/delta-4.htm	access-date=15 March 2018	publisher=Gunter's Space Page}}	Result	Remarks	9	10
20 November 2002	22:39	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	Eutelsat W5	url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/delta4/021120launch/	title=Boeing's Delta 4 rocket debuts successfully	date=November 20, 2002	publisher=Spaceflight Now}}	Maiden flight of the Delta IV, and first commercial launch from SLC-37. First Delta flight not using Thor-based architecture.
11 March 2003	00:59	Delta IV	Medium	DSCS-3 A3	url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d296/	title=Delta 4 rocket successfully begins military service	date=March 10, 2003	publisher=Spaceflight Now}}	First military launch from SLC-37.
29 August 2003	23:13	Delta IV	Medium	DSCS-3 B6	url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d300/	title=Delta 4 rocket delivers last Air Force DSCS satellite	date=August 29, 2003	publisher=Spaceflight Now}}
21 December 2004	21:50	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	DemoSat		Contained two 3 Corner Satellites, nicknamed Sparkie and Ralphie, as secondary payloads. Maiden flight of the Delta IV Heavy. Common Booster Cores underperformed, placing primary satellite in incorrect orbit and failing to put secondary satellites into orbit.
24 May 2006	22:11	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GOES-13	url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d315/	title=Weather observatory for Americas ascends to space	date=May 24, 2006	publisher=Spaceflight Now}}	Launched as GOES-N. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites. First GOES launch on a Delta rocket since GOES-7.
11 November 2007	01:50	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	DSP-23		First Delta IV launch following the creation of United Launch Alliance.
18 January 2009	02:47	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-26		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-202. First National Reconnaissance Office launch from SLC-37, and first on a Delta IV Heavy.
27 June 2009	22:51	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GOES-14		Launched as GOES-O. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
6 December 2009	01:47	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-3	url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d346/	title=New communications craft launched for U.S. military	last=Ray	first=Justin	date=2009-12-05	work=Spaceflight Now	access-date=2009-12-06	archive-date=2016-12-04	archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204085447/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d346/	url-status=dead}}
4 March 2010	23:57	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GOES-15	title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NASA/NOAA Weather Satellite Mission	url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/47	publisher=United Launch Alliance	access-date=3 February 2013	date=4 March 2010	archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/47	archive-date=7 December 2013	url-status=dead}}	Launched as GOES-P. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
28 May 2010	3:00	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS IIF SV-1	title=ULA Marks Delta 50th Anniversary with Successful Delta IV GPS IIF SV-1 Launch	url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/50	publisher=United Launch Alliance	access-date=3 February 2013	date=27 May 2010	archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/50	archive-date=7 December 2013	url-status=dead}}	Part of the Global Positioning System. First GPS launch on a Delta IV.
21 November 2010	22:58	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-32		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-223.
11 March 2011	23:38	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	NROL-27		NRO launch. SDS satellite, also known as USA-227.
16 July 2011	06:41	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS IIF-2		Part of the Global Positioning System.
20 January 2012	00:38	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-4
29 June 2012	13:15	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-15		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-237.
4 October 2012	12:10	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS IIF-3		Part of the Global Positioning System.
25 May 2013	00:27	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-5
8 August 2013	00:29	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-6
21 February 2014	01:59	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS IIF-5		Part of the Global Positioning System.
17 May 2014	00:03	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS IIF-6		Part of the Global Positioning System.
28 July 2014	23:28	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	USA 253 to USA-255 (AFSPC-4 (GSSAP #1/#2/ANGELS))
5 December 2014	12:05	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	Exploration Flight Test-1		Test flight of an Orion capsule, demonstrating flight operations in space and beyond low Earth orbit in anticipation for future operations with the Space Launch System. Maiden flight of an Orion capsule and what would eventually become the Artemis Program. Payload fairings replaced with capsule, launch escape system, and boilerplate European Service Module.
25 March 2015	18:36	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS IIF-9		Part of the Global Positioning System.
24 July 2015	00:07	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-7
11 June 2016	17:51	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-37		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-268.
19 August 2016	04:52	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	USA-270 and USA-271 (AFSPC-6 (GSSAP #3/#4))
7 December 2016	23:53	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-8
19 March 2017	00:18	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-9
12 August 2018	07:31	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	Parker Solar Probe		Part of the Large Strategic Science Missions and the Living With a Star program, aimed at studying the corona of the Sun. Only heliocentric launch of the Delta IV, last heliocentric launch of the Delta family, and first from SLC-37. Holds the current proximity record to the Sun at 9.8 solar radii (6.9 million km), and fastest traveling artificial object at 191 km/s (0.064c).
16 March 2019	00:26	Delta IV	Medium+ (5,4)	WGS-10
22 August 2019	13:06	Delta IV	Medium+ (4,2)	GPS III-2	url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news/2019/08/22/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-gps-iii-satellite-for-u.s.-air-force-space-and-missile-systems-center	title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GPS III Satellite for U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center	date=22 August 2019	website=United Launch Alliance	access-date=22 August 2019}}	Part of the Global Positioning System. Last GPS launch on a Delta rocket, and last Delta IV Medium launch.
11 December 2020	01:09	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-44		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-311.
22 June 2023	09:18	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-68		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-345.
9 April 2024	16:53	Delta IV Heavy	Heavy	NROL-70		NRO launch. Orion satellite, also known as USA-353. Last flight of the Delta IV, and last flight of the Delta family.

Photos

File:LC-37.jpg|Map of Launch Complex 37 of the 1960s, with original Mobile Service Structure File:Saturn SA9 launch.jpg|The launch of AS-103 with the Pegasus 1 satellite atop a Saturn I, from LC-37B in 1965 File:Liftoff for a Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) after its launch tower.jpg|The launch of GOES-N atop a Delta IV, from SLC-37B in 2006 File:Launch Complex 37.jpg|SLC-37B in 2010, with the Mobile Service Tower

References

"Space Force Starship EIS – Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station".
McDowell, Jonathan. (1998-02-22). "Issue 350". Jonathan's Space Page.
"Delta-IV Heavy to launch last DSP satellite".
Department of the Air Force. (20 November 2025). "SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Final Environmental Impact Statement".
(2000-06-16). "Complex 37 -- Cape Canaveral Air Station". Federation of American Scientists (www.fas.org).
(March 2, 2000). "Boeing, Raytheon Top Off Nation's Newest Launch Tower". Boeing.
"Launch Complex 37". Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum.
(22 August 2019). "Delta IV Medium's well-earned retirement with GPS finale". NASASpaceflight.
Foust, Jeff. (2024-02-17). "Space Force to study Cape Canaveral launch sites for Starship".
SpaceX. (3 March 2025). "Future of Building Starship".
Stone, Mark. (2024-03-17). "Starship Coming to Florida".
Foust, Jeff. (2025-12-06). "SpaceX gets approval to build Starship launch complex at Cape Canaveral". SpaceNews.
SpaceflightNow. (6 June 2025). "The @usairforce published its Draft Environmental Impact Statement on SpaceX's proposal to use pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to launch Starship-Super Heavy up to 76 times annually. Public review runs now through July 28. Documents: https://spaceforcestarshipeis.com".
Romera, Alejandro Alcantarilla. (2025-06-11). "From Delta to Starship, SpaceX's ambitious plan for SLC-37's future".
Evans, Max. (12 June 2025). "END OF AN ERA: former ULA infrastructure at SLC-37, used to launch the Delta IV family of launch vehicles, was demolished this morning at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It has been given new life with SpaceX and the Starship program. Lots to look forward to! 📸- @NASASpaceflight 📺 - http://nsf.live/spacecoast".
Leonard, Matt. (2025-12-02). "Launch pads for Starship super heavy rocket gets OK for Florida's Space Coast".
(November 20, 2002). "Boeing's Delta 4 rocket debuts successfully". Spaceflight Now.
(March 10, 2003). "Delta 4 rocket successfully begins military service". Spaceflight Now.
(August 29, 2003). "Delta 4 rocket delivers last Air Force DSCS satellite". Spaceflight Now.
(May 24, 2006). "Weather observatory for Americas ascends to space". Spaceflight Now.
(2009-06-27). "NASA and NOAA's GOES-O Satellite Successfully Launched". NASA KSC.
Ray, Justin. (2009-12-05). "New communications craft launched for U.S. military". Spaceflight Now.
(4 March 2010). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NASA/NOAA Weather Satellite Mission". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(27 May 2010). "ULA Marks Delta 50th Anniversary with Successful Delta IV GPS IIF SV-1 Launch". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(16 July 2011). "United Launch Alliance Marks the 50th Successful GPS Launch for the Air Force with the Delivery of the GPS IIF-2 Mission to orbit". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(19 January 2012). "United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket Successfully Launches US Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM-4 (WGS-4) Satellite". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(4 October 2012). "United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket Successfully Launches Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(24 May 2013). "United Launch Alliance Launches Second Successful Mission for U.S. Air Force in Just Nine Days". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(8 August 2013). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Wideband Global SATCOM Mission for U.S. Air Force in Less Than Three Months". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(21 February 2014). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 25th Delta IV Mission Carrying Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(16 May 2014). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force in Less Than Three Months". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(29 July 2014). "United Launch Alliance Marks 85th Successful Launch by Delivering Three Satellites into Orbit for the U.S. Air Force". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(26 March 2015). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Mission in Less than Two Weeks". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(23 July 2015). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches WGS-7". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(19 August 2016). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches AFSPC6 Mission for the U.S. Air Force". [[United Launch Alliance]].
(7 December 2016). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches WGS8 Mission for the U.S. Air Force".
(18 March 2017). "Delta IV to Launch WGS-9 for the U.S. Air Force".
(16 March 2019). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches WGS-10 Mission".
(22 August 2019). "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GPS III Satellite for U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center".
(27 October 2020). "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now.
(30 October 2020). "Launch Mission Execution Forecast". 45th Weather Squadron – Patrick Air Force Base.

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