NASA is tearing down a piece of its history – the launch platform that once hosted the Apollo and Space Shuttle missions.
The Mobile Launch Platform 2, or MLP-2, was first put to use 50 years ago for the Apollo 14 mission and has hosted dozens of launches since.
A crawler and 2 mobile launcher platforms at the MSS park site at @NASAKennedy, Jan. 4. One CT and MLP are assisting in crawlerway conditioning to ensure the path is strong enough to support the weight for the upcoming @NASAArtemis I launch. The other MLP is being retired. pic.twitter.com/CxdfjS3yEE
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) January 6, 2021
So why is this piece of space travel history being demolished? For parking space – NASA says the platform is no longer in use and that Kennedy Space Center “ran out of parking spots”.
Is it right to tear down such a key piece of history for a parking lot? What would be a better option?
