Space Launch Delta 45, collocated at Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS, provides activities and resources for safety of flight, range instrumentation, infrastructure, and scheduling required to support and assure space and ballistic launches, and other operations. The deltamanages space launch operations from the Eastern Range for the United States Space Force. Space Launch Delta 45 is also home to the Air Force Technical Application Center (AFTAC), Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute(DEOMI), and the 920th Rescue Wing (AFRES).
MISSION
Space Launch Delta 45, collocated at Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS, is responsible for delivering assured space launch, range, and combat capabilities to the nation. SLD 45 provides activities and resources for safety of flight, range instrumentation, infrastructure, and scheduling required to support and assure space and ballistic launches, and other operations. The delta manages space launch operations from the Eastern Range for the United States Space Force. Space Launch Delta 45 is also home to the Air Force Technical Application Center (AFTAC), Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), and the 920th Rescue Wing (AFRES).
HISTORY
Patrick Space Force Base began its service to the Nation during World War II as the Banana River Naval Air Station, commissioned Oct. 1, 1940. NAS Banana River supported seaplane patrols until the installation was inactivated Aug. 1, 1947.
The Navy transferred Banana River Naval Air Station to the Air Force on Sept. 1, 1948. The base was renamed the Joint Long Range Proving Ground and became home to Advance Headquarters, JLRPG, and the Air Force Division when it was established Oct. 1, 1949. The base was renamed the Long Range Proving Ground Base for three months after a Department of Defense re-delegation of guided missile test centers from joint service commands to separate branches of the military service.
On Aug. 26, 1950, the Air Force's long-range proving ground base in Cocoa Beach, Florida, was named Patrick Air Force Base in honor of the late Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick, who retired as the first chief of the Air Corps, Dec. 12, 1927. During his six-year tenure as chief of Air Service, Patrick approved the first flight around the world by Army pilots in 1924, and the Pan-American goodwill flight to every capital in Central and South America. He initiated the experimental flying organization at Wright Field, Ohio, and recommended legislation for the Air Service to become the Air Corps in 1926 under the Secretary of War, but apart from the War Department, which eventually led to the U.S. Air Force as an independent branch.
Permanent launch complexes were built in the 1950s and 1960s on the range. The earliest launch vehicles used by the Air Force were the Thor and Atlas missiles, modified by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division and Space Systems Division. The modified missiles constituted the backbone of the U.S. space program. They were complemented by the Titan, a powerful booster capable of launching large, heavy payloads. These three launch vehicles provided the needed thrust to place heavier and more complicated military satellites into orbit for the Air Force from the 1960s to the 1980s.
First launched in 1959, the Titan family of boosters served for nearly 50 years putting satellites and astronauts into orbit. Titan III vehicles performed well in a wide variety of missions and configurations including the Titan III (34) D, which was used during the 1980s as a backup and alternative to the manned Space Shuttle. The Titan IVB, which flew from 1997 to 2005 with 17 successful launches, was the Air Force’s largest and most powerful expendable single-use rocket. It was a space launch vehicle used to place satellites into orbit. Titan IVB rockets boosted payloads into low earth orbit, polar orbit, or geosynchronous (stationary) orbit from either Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida or Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Since the 1960’s the Eastern Range also supported the Navy’s launches of sea-based deterrent missile systems from the Atlantic Ocean. Created in 1950, the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU), headquartered at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, supports the Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) weapon system which consists of time-proven, operational, nuclear-powered submarines, each capable of carrying nuclear tipped ballistic missiles. Operational FBM and Strategic Weapon System (SWS) submarines are under the control of the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), who exercises authority through the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (SUBLANT), and the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SUBPAC).
On Oct. 1, 1979, Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station were consolidated under the Eastern Space and Missile Center (ESMC) to assume responsibility over all activities at the range. The Eastern Test Range and affiliated facilities continued to support Department of Defense, National Air and Space Administration, Air Force, and other test and evaluation agencies, including the operation of "down-range" facilities at Antigua and Ascension Islands.
In the 1980s, Air Force Space Command was formed and, within a decade, assumed launch responsibility for all Atlas E, Atlas II, Delta II, Titan II and Titan IV assets and missions, and gained the range and both installations. The Titan IV could be launched with either an Inertial Upper Stage or a newly developed version of the Centaur Upper Stage. It could also place 10,000 pounds into geosynchronous orbit using the Centaur, and its performance was further improved by upgraded solid rocket motors, which completed their final test firing in September 1993.
On Oct. 1, 1990, the Eastern Space and Missile Center and control of all operational space lift vehicles was transferred from Air Force Systems Command to Air Force Space Command, with the goal of establishing a new operational wing to oversee Eastern Test Range operations. The new operational wing was established as the 45th Space Wing on Nov. 12, 1991.
In Dec. 2020, Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station were renamed as the first installations of the U.S. Space Force. Patrick Space Force Base is home to Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45), now under the new United States Space Force, and serves as the world's premier gateway to space.
As the Department of Defense's East Coast spaceport and providers of launch support services, SLD 45 is a far-reaching organization. It is responsible for operating three airfields and maintaining billions of dollars in instrumentation and infrastructure for the 15-million-square-mile Eastern Range. The Eastern Range includes the launch head at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and a network of downrange instrumentation stations including Malabar, Jonathan Dickinson Tracking annexes, and Ascension Auxiliary Air Field.
The Major Command is Space Systems Command. Space Launch Delta 45 hosts and supports more than 74 mission partners and tenant units at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. In addition, there are 39 Geographically Separated Units that support the Southeast U.S., the Caribbean, and South America.
- 3,599Active Duty, Guard, and Reservists
- 4,470 Contractors (includes mission partners)
- 2,769Civilians (includes mission partners)
- 5,777Active Duty Dependents
Cocoa Beach: 11,7500, Satellite Beach: 10,900, Brevard County: 602,000, other major cities in the surrounding area are Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, Rockledge,Titusville, West Melbourne, Viera, Malabar, Grant-Valkaria, and Port St. John.
Space Launch Delta 45 serves Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and Marineactive and reserve personnel, DOD civilians, contractors, retirees and all eligible family members.
Patrick SFB is located on the East Coast of Central Florida. Patrick is 3 miles south of Cocoa Beach and approximately 8 miles north of Melbourne, all of which are located in Brevard County. Patrick SFB sits on an island with the Banana River directly to the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, separated only by State RoadA1A. The region is known as the Space Coast because of its proximity to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Driving Directions from the Melbourne International Airport to Patrick SFB
Upon exiting the airport, turn left onto Nasa Blvd. Continue straight on Nasa Blvd. to U.S. Route 1. Turn left on U.S. 1 and proceed 8.1 miles to the Pineda Causeway (State Road 404). Exit to the right onto the Pineda Causeway and travel the entire length of the Causeway to State Road A1A. Turn left onto SR A1A and proceed approximately four miles to the main gate of Patrick SFB.
Transportation from Melbourne International Airport
A passenger shuttle service to Patrick SFB is located on the ground level adjacent to the baggage claim. Reservations must be made by calling 321-724-1600 at least 24 hours in advance. As itis a private shuttle service,the costis approximately $75.00 for the 1st person, and $10.00 per each additional passenger.
Driving Directions to Patrick SFB from Orlando International Airport
Coming out of the airport, stay to the right and look for the sign that says "Beachline"SR528 East, Cocoa Beach/Cocoa/Port Canaveral. Take this exit onto SR 528. Stated Road 528 is a toll road. Stay on SR 528 for approximately 45 miles. Follow the signs to Cocoa Beach/Port Canaveral. After crossing the causeways (bridges) to the islands, SR 528 curves to the right and becomes State Route A1A. Follow SR A1A and you will come directly to the main gate of Patrick SFB located on Highway A1A.
Transportation from Orlando International Airport
Several shuttles go to Patrick SFB hourly. Pick-up is at ground level - Space #18. The cost to Patrick SFB varies but is approximately $40.00 per person, one way.
Bus Station Information
Greyhound Bus Lines have terminals in Cocoa, and West Melbourne. For information call the terminals in either Cocoa, located at 302 Main Street, at 321-636-6531 or the Melbourne terminal, which is located at the Mobile Gas Station at the intersection of US192 and I 95, telephone 321-723-4323.
Driving to Patrick SFB
Driving to Patrick SFB will normally involve Interstate 95. When headed south on I-95 in the Melbourne area, take exit 188 and turn left at end of off ramp.Follow State Road (SR) 404 (Pineda Causeway) EAST which will bring you to the south entrance to Patrick SFB. If you are headed south on Interstate 75 (runs down the middle of the state of Florida to Ocala) take the Florida Turnpike south (turnpike is a Toll Road). From the turnpike you will exit in Orlando at SR 528 East (Beachline Expressway) the Beachline is a toll road. Follow the above directions for SR 528 to I-95 South to Patrick SFB.
