Space Launch Complex 16 & 19 – Biking through Space Ruins (Part 2)
Biking over to Space Launch Complex 19 from Complex 16 took us on two different paths. You could leave Complex 16 from the main entrance and ride out to ICBM Road and then over to the main entrance to Complex 19 where a sign commemorating all the Gemini Launches greets you at the entrance (See Photo Below) or find a path overgrown with brush that connects the two Launch Sites. This path is known as Barton Freeway. More on that later.
History of Space Launch Complex 19
Construction of Space Launch Complex 19 began in February of 1957 and the Air Force accepted the completed Launch Complex in June of 1959. The Launch site was built to support the Titan Program and used a horizontal-to-vertical erector system to place the missile on the launch pad.
A total of 15 Titan I launches took place at Complex 19 from August of 1959 to January of 1962. From 1962 to 1963 the Launch Complex was converted over to Titan II Gemini missions.
There were two unmanned Titan II Gemini launches in 1964 and 1965 followed by ten manned flights ending in November of 1966.
The service tower and umbilical were demolished in 1977 but the launch pad and the erector remained until 2013. I was lucky enough to bike through these Space Ruins in 2011.
The successful Gemini Program tested several space related activities including Orbital Navigation, rendezvousing with another spacecraft, long duration flights and extravehicular activity (Spacewalks).
The Astronauts launched on Gemini Missions from Complex 19
The astronauts launched from Space Complex 19 reads like a who’s-who of famous astronauts including several who would later walk on the moon.
GT-3 – March of 1965 – Gus Grissom and John Young
GT-4 – June of 1965 – James McDivitt and Edwards White
GT-5 – August of 1965 – Gordo Cooper and Charles Conrad
GT-6 – December of 1965 – Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford
GT-7 – December of 1965 – Frank Borman and James Lovell
GT-8 – March of 1966 – Neil Armstrong and David Scott
GT-9 – June of 1966 – Thomas Stafford and Gene Cernan
GT-10 – July of 1966 – John Young and Michael Collins
GT-11 – September of 1966 – Charles “Pete” Conrad and Richard Gordon
GT-12 – December of 1966 – James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin
- Those in bold walked on the moon
Time to Bike Through Space Ruins at Space Launch Complex 19
I was fortunate enough to bike around Complex 19 in 2011 before the remainder of the launch pad erector were demolished and removed. Enjoy these photos of Launch Complex 19 from 2011.
We will leave with a few historic photos from Complex 19 courtesy of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum
Below is a link to information on the Barton Freeway
About the Author and Photographer: Alden Pitard has over 40 years experience working in the Aerospace Industry at Cape Canaveral, The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Boeing locations throughout the country. He has supported the Space Shuttle Program, International Space Station, 787 Dreamliner and most recently the Artemis Program. During his time at "The Cape" he photographed a majority of the Launch Sites at KSC and Cape Canaveral. As the Space Shuttle program was coming to a close in 2011, the author decided to bike to all the Launch Complexes he could and capture the Space Center and Cape Canaveral as it was - thus "Biking through Space Ruins".