Space Launch Complex 16 and 19 – Biking through Space Ruins (Part 1)

On this particular day my friend and I decided to bike through two very historic Launch Sites – Space Launch Complex 16 and 19. Both Launch sites sit next to each other and we actually found a path connecting the two and another path running on the North side of Complex 16 to the beach.

Both Launch Sites sit right next to each other and several very important manned launches took off from Launch Complex 19. Complex 16 was home to the first Titan Launch.

Below are two maps of the Cape calling out Lc-16 and LC-19. Getting to both sites is very easy and we will start with Launch Complex 16.

Launch Complex 16 was completed in July of 1958 and was the site if the first Titan Launch. A total of 13 Titan Launches were completed from LC-16 and it was then turned over to NASA and the site was assigned to NASA to support static firing of the Apollo Service Module propulsion engine and Gemini crew processing. A test stand was built for these static tests.

After the Apollo and Gemini tests, Complex 16 was reassigned to the Army for Pershing launches. As many as six Pershing mobile launchers were positioned on the two unpaved areas in front of the blockhouse.

Launch Complex 16 Blockhouse and Launch Site

The entry road to Complex 16 runs right into the Blockhouse.

Historic Photos of Launch Complex 16 (Photos courtesy of Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum)

Space Launch Complex 16 – Beach Access Road via a Bike

Just to the southeast of Space Launch Complex 16 is a dirt road that you can take all the way out to the untouched pristine beach of Cape Canaveral. Along the way you can spot turtles, birds, alligators and rabbits.

Space Launch Complex 19 – Biking through Space Ruins and Launch Complexes

The entrance sign to Space Launch Complex 19 – Highlighting 10 historic manned launches of the Gemini Program. But there is more than one way to get to Complex 19 which will describe in Part 2 of these famous Launch Sites.