Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40

Space Launch Complex 40

SLC-40 during launch of NG-20 in January 2024 with the newly constructed tower and access arm for future crewed launches
Launch site	Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Location	28°33′44″N 80°34′38″W / 28.562106°N 80.577180°W / 28.562106; -80.577180
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Short name	SLC-40
Operator	United States Space Force (owner) SpaceX (tenant)
Total launches	262
Orbital inclination range	28.5–55, 66–145°[1]
Launch history Status Active First launch 18 June 1965 Titan IIIC (Transtage) Last launch 28 September 2024 Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX Crew-9) Associated rockets Active: Falcon 9 Retired: Titan

Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), sometimes referred to as "Slick Forty," is a launch pad located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Initially opened as Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) and used by the United States Air Force for 55 launches of rockets from the Titan family between 1965 and 2005. In 2007, SpaceX acquired a lease for SLC-40 and has since transformed the complex into a high-volume launch site for the Falcon 9 rocket. As of August 2024, the pad has hosted over 200 Falcon 9 launches.

A major setback occurred in 2016 when a catastrophic explosion during a static fire test heavily damaged the facility. After extensive repairs and upgrades, SLC-40 returned to service in December 2017. To further enhance its capabilities, a tower and access arm were added in 2023 to support SpaceX's crewed missions.