Launch pad

Launch pads for rockets are portable or fixed structures that hold the rocket until shortly before its launch. Supply leads and cables that connected the rocket are only partially separated immediately after the start.

Facilities for unguided and guided missiles

Unguided and guided by simple tail rockets must be accelerated as quickly as possible, as they require the air flowing around it to stabilize their flight path. Therefore, launch pads can be found in which a catapult to accelerate the missile is fitted. Alternatively, a launch tower take over the leadership of the rocket. Launchers for guided missiles have instead only Maintenance Scaffolding ( supply tower, gantry ).

Fixed launch pads

For larger rocket launch ramps are permanently installed on a large concrete surface. The rocket stands on a table-like structure, the so-called start table.

For the start of liquid rocket launch pads must always have a remote controlled security reasons fueling system. For each launch pad has a executed either as a bunker or housed in an armored vehicle control station, called the Start control center. It serves to carry out the start-up procedure and monitoring the flight of the missile.

Mobile launchers

A mobile rocket launch ramp is a vehicle that carries one or more mostly military missiles targeting it directly to the target and can start the vehicle.

In English, there are the names TEL ( transporter erector launcher) and TELAR ( transporter erector launcher and radar ), the latter also requires a separate radar system. Examples include anti-aircraft missile systems such as the MIM -104 Patriot or gate M1.

If the ground - to-ground missiles SLTs are used both for ballistic missiles as well as multiple rocket launchers.

RT -21M rocket based on the MAZ -547

Coastal missile complex Rubesch

First Soviet coastal missile system Sopka