Launch Complex 36 Water Tower
Launch Complex 36 water tower is a water storage tower at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, part of Blue Origin's launch infrastructure for the New Glenn launch vehicle. Standing approximately 107 m (351 ft) tall, it is among the tallest water towers in the world.[1] It supplies water to the launch pad's deluge system used to cool the flame trench and dampen engine noise during liftoff.
History
In 2015, the United States Air Force leased Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) to Space Florida, who then signed a long-term lease with Blue Origin for use of the site to support development of the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle. In October 2015, Blue Origin broke ground on the New Glenn rocket facilities at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.[2]
In 2019, high-resolution aerial imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed foundations in place for major pad structures, including the flame trench, lightning rod, and the water tower.[3]
Construction of the LC-36 facilities continued through 2021 and 2022. By mid-2022, the water tower and several support towers had been erected, and it was among the tallest water towers in the world.[4]
Design
The water tower stands approximately 107 m (351 ft) tall, roughly comparable to a 30-story building. It stores 750,000 gallons of water in its main tank and an additional 250,000 gallons in its piping system, supplying the launch pad's water deluge system.[5] [6]
Function
Before every New Glenn static-fire test or liftoff, the tower dumps up to 3,785,412 litres (1,000,000 gallons) of water onto the pad. During launch operations, the system can release approximately 1,135,623 litres (300,000 gallons) of water in 22 seconds through pipes and nozzles at the base of the launch mount, dispersing it across the flame trench and pad deck to dampen sound and protect the launch structure, pad, and payload from the heat produced by rocket engines.[7] The tower uses potable water supplied from the City of Cocoa. About 90% of each deluge volume instantly vaporizes as steam upon engine ignition. The remaining 378,451 litres (roughly 100,000 gallons) flows into a nearby retention basin and is reused or treated, per the FDEP's environmental permits. This closed‐loop design prevents contamination of local waterways. [8]
See also
References
- ↑ "New Glenn factory Aug 2022". teslarati.com. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ Chris Bergin (15 September 2015). "Blue Origin take over LC-36 at the Cape – prepare for orbital launches". nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ Ian Atkinson (11 September 2019). "Blue Origin continuing work on New Glenn launch complex, support facilities". nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ↑ "New Glenn factory Aug 2022 (Blue Origin) S2 test tank LC-36 1 crop". teslarati.com. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ Charles Boyer (7 November 2024). "Blue Origin Granted Water Deluge Permit For LC-36 By FDEP". talkoftitusville.com. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ↑ "Godspeed, New Glenn: Blue Origin's heavy-lift rocket lifts-off to orbit". www.collectspace.com. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "Video tour: Blue Origin's Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral". floridatoday.com. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ Florida Department of Environmental Protection (6 November 2024). Notice of Permit Issuance: Blue Origin LC 36 Deluge System (Report). Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
External links
Category:Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Category:Blue Origin Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 2020s Category:Water towers in the United States
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