I thought ICBMs use silos. Rockets launching space payloads use launch pads, then they have space probes, experiments, observatories, novel imaging systems for gather knowledge about the cosmos. Rather than just solid rocket motors, they sometimes combine those with chemical propellants or just use chemical. Then maintain orbit with hypergols. The missions are much different, have much more rigorous and extensive command and data handling, way more complicated logistics, and way more mission flight algos / coding. Manned flights also have a lot more qualification, fault management, training, quality control and safety efforts.

[–] hamid@crazypeople.online 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/jet-propulsion-laboratory-history/

JPL is the result of a Caltech graduate student’s research into rocket propulsion in the late 1930s. Funded by the U. S. Army during and after World War II, the Laboratory developed the U.S.’s first guided ballistic missile, the Corporal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM-5_Corporal

The MGM-5 Corporal missile was an American short-range, nuclear-armed tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile. It was the first guided weapon authorized by the United States to carry a nuclear warhead.[i] A guided tactical ballistic missile, the Corporal could deliver either a nuclear fission, high-explosive, fragmentation or chemical warhead up to a range of 75 nautical miles (139 km).

[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 days ago

JPL is not a NASA center. It's a non-profit lab for government support. People at NASA like space flight and science. Killing people is not the spirit at any NASA center.