Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3
Atlas-E/F / USA-109 | |
Associated rockets |
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SLC-3E (PALC-1-2) launch history | |
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Status | Inactive Pending modifications for Vulcan |
Launches | 45 |
First launch | July 12, 1961 JPSS-2 |
Associated rockets |
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Space Launch Complex 3 (SLC-3) is a launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base that consists of two separate launch pads. SLC-3E (East) was used by the Atlas V launch vehicle before it was decommissioned in August 2021 with the final launch taking place on November 10, 2022 at 09:49, while SLC-3W (West) has been demolished.[1]
Launches from Vandenberg fly southward, allowing payloads to be placed in high-inclination orbits such as polar or Sun-synchronous orbit, which allow full global coverage on a regular basis and are often used for weather, Earth observation, and reconnaissance satellites. These orbits are difficult to reach from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where launches must fly eastward due to major population centers to both the north and south of Kennedy Space Center. Avoiding these would require hugely inefficient maneuvering, greatly reducing payload capacity.[2]
SLC-3E was the launch site of the Mars lander InSight in May 2018.[3]
SLC-3E
History
One of two Atlas-Agena pads at VAFB, SLC-3E was originally the designated facility for MIDAS (Missile Defense Alarm System) launches and hosted its first flight on 12 July 1961. After the MIDAS program ended in 1966, SLC-3E then hosted reentry vehicle tests in 1967-68 as part of Project PRIME. The pad was mothballed for a decade, then returned to use in the late 1970s for NAVSTAR communications satellites on refurbished Atlas E/F missiles. On 19 December 1981, Atlas 76E crashed a few hundred feet from the pad after an engine failure, but no serious damage resulted to facilities. SLC-3E was then converted for the Atlas H (Atlas-Centaur core with a solid upper stage in place of the Centaur) and hosted ELINT satellite launches from 1983-87. The pad was mothballed once again and not used for the next 12 years, when it was revived for the Atlas IIAS.
Three successful
It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the
Launch history (3E)
SLC-3W
SLC-3W was originally built for Atlas-Agena launches and the first flight off the pad was the launch of
In 1962-63, the pad was converted for Thor-Agena use and was the primary launching site for
Launch history (3W)
See also
- Canyon Fire (2016) – 2016 wildfire in Southern California
- Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 – Rocket launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the USA
- Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 – Rocket launch complex at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States
- Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 – Launch pad
References
- ^ Ray, Justin (January 20, 2000). "Vandenberg launch pad demolition set for Sunday". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ "Launch Sites". NASA Human Spaceflight Office. Archived from the original on October 13, 1999.
- ^ Clark, Stephen (December 19, 2013). "Mars lander to launch from California on Atlas 5 in 2016". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
- ^ NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
- ^ NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
- ^ "ILS Successfully Launches Atlas IIAS with NRO Payload". International Launch Services. December 2, 2003. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ Justin Ray (December 4, 2003). "Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift".
- ^ "Lockheed Martin Begins Atlas V West Coast Launch Pad Renovations SLC 3E Being Readied for Atlas V Missions in Fall 2005". LM. January 14, 2004. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad". PR Newswire. July 27, 2004.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin Delivers First Atlas Five Booster to West Coast Launch Site". Lockheed Martin. February 11, 2005. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011.
- ^ "ULA Inaugural Atlas V West Coast Launch a Success". ULA. Associated Press. March 13, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ Clark, Stephen. "ULA selects launch pads for new Vulcan rocket – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Gebhardt, Chris (August 21, 2020). "ULA updates Vulcan status, readiness for certification missions". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Erwin, Sandra (June 8, 2023). "Space Force assigns 12 national security missions to SpaceX and ULA". SpaceNews. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Federal Register /Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, December 19, 2008 / Proposed Rules, page 77579.
External links
- Historic American Engineering Record(HAER) documentation, filed under Napa and Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA:
- HAER No. CA-133-1, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3", 15 photos, 164 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-133-1-A, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Operations Building", 120 photos, 11 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-133-1-B, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 East", 278 photos, 23 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-133-1-C, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 West", 183 photos, 16 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-133-1-D, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Vehicle Support Building", 21 photos, 3 photo caption pages
- HAER No. CA-133-1-E, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Technical Support Building", 8 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-F, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, SLC-3 Air Force Building", 4 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-G, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Meteorological Shed and Tower", 5 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-H, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Traffic Check House", 1 photo, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-I, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Sewage Treatment Plant", 1 photo, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-J, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Entry Control Point", 5 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-K, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Storage Shed", 2 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-L, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Storage Shed", 4 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-M, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Pyrotechnic Shed", 6 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. CA-133-1-N, "Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Azimuth Alignment Shed", 2 photos, 1 photo caption page