The first launch from LC-18 was a Viking rocket from LC-18A on December 8, 1956, on a test flight for
Project Vanguard. A further Viking launch was conducted in May 1957, and the Vanguard made its maiden flight from the complex in September. Following this, the
United States first satellite launch attempt was made from LC-18A, using
Vanguard TV3, on December 6, 1957. The launch failed after the rocket lost thrust and exploded on the launch pad. All twelve Vanguard launches were conducted from LC-18A, with the complex being transferred to
NASA after it took over responsibility for Vanguard following its formation in 1958. After the Vanguard's retirement in 1959, LC-18A was transferred to the US Air Force for use by Scout rockets. LC-18B was used for 17 tests of Thor missiles between June 4, 1958 and February 29, 1960. Following this, it was also converted for use by Scout rockets. Sixteen Scouts were launched from LC-18; ten from LC-18A and six from LC-18B. Fifteen of the launches were suborbital
sounding flights, and one was an
orbital launch with the
Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA. This failed to reach orbit and was destroyed by
range safety 43 seconds after launch. The launches from LC-18A used the
Blue Scout Junior configuration, and were conducted between September 21, 1960 and June 9, 1965. The launches from LC-18B consisted of three
Blue Scout I rockets and three
Blue Scout IIs, launched between January 7, 1961 and April 12, 1962. Following the retirement of the Scout family at Cape Canaveral (opting instead to have launches conducted from the
Wallops Flight Facility), LC-18 has sat dormant. As of August 2024, the
United States Space Force plans to fully demolish the site and the neighboring
SLC-17 in favor of extending Lighthouse Road and reconnecting its two separate sections back together. == Launch statistics ==