After SpaceX signed an agreement with NASA to lease historic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center for the next 20 years, the commercial space company has begun modifying the pad to support its Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy launch vehicles.

The biggest change so far is the construction of a large hanger straddling the Crawlerway. Falcon 9 rockets will be processed horizontally inside the hanger then move to the pad where they will be lifted vertically for launch.

The Fixed Service Structure and the Rotating Service Structure at 39A, along with those at nearby Pad 39B, supported all 135 Space Shuttle launches. Pads 39A & B also supported all the Apollo Moon missions along with Skylab and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Soon 39A will launch SpaceX commercial missions when its modifications are complete. 39B to the north will be used for NASA’s Space Launch System, a powerful rocket being built for missions beyond Low Earth Orbit.

Take a photo gallery tour of LC-39A as seen shortly after the last Space Shuttle launch.