Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4
 The last launch from SLC-4, a Titan IV |
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| Launch site | Vandenberg AFB |
|---|---|
| Location | 34.632706°N 120.613393°W |
| Short name | SLC-4 |
| Operator | US Air Force |
| Total launches | 161 |
| Launch pad(s) | 2 |
| Minimum / maximum orbital inclination |
51° – 145° |
| SLC-4W (PALC-2-3) launch history | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Launches | 93 |
| First launch | 12 July 1963 Atlas-Agena / OPS-1467 |
| Last launch | 18 October 2003 Titan 23G / USA-172 |
| Associated rockets | Atlas-Agena Titan IIIB Titan 23G |
| SLC-4E (PALC-2-4) launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launches | 68 |
| First launch | 14 August 1964 Atlas-Agena / OPS 3802 |
| Last launch | 19 October 2005 Titan IVB / USA-186 |
| Associated rockets | Atlas-Agena Titan IIID Titan 34D Titan IV Falcon Heavy (future) |
Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4) was a launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, used by Atlas and Titan rockets between 1963 and 2005. It consisted of two separate launch pads, SLC-4W and SLC-4E, which were formerly designated PALC2-3 and PALC2-4 respectively. Both pads were originally built for use by Atlas-Agena rockets, but were later rebuilt to handle Titan rockets. The designation SLC-4 was applied at the time of the conversion to launch Titans.[1]
Space Launch Complex 4E is currently being redeveloped and used by SpaceX as a launch site for the Falcon 9 rocket.[2] The first launch is scheduled for 2013.[2] The 24 month refurbishment program started in early 2011.[3] As of August 2011, demolition work on the pad's fixed and mobile service towers, with most of the fixed tower removed and the hammerhead crane removed from the mobile service tower.[4]
Contents |
[edit] SLC-4W
[edit] Atlas-Agena
The first launch to use what is now SLC-4 occurred on 12 July 1963, when an Atlas-Agena D launched the first KH-7 reconnaissance satellite, from PALC2-3. Twelve Atlas-Agenas launches were conducted from PALC2-3, with the last occurring on 12 March 1965.
[edit] Titan III/II
Following this, it was rebuilt as SLC-4W, a Titan launch complex. The first Titan launch from SLC-4W was a Titan IIIB, on 29 July 1966. All 70 Titan IIIB launches occurred from SLC-4W, with the last on 12 February 1987. Subsequent to the retirement of the Titan IIIB, it became a Titan 23G launch site, and twelve Titan II launches, using the 23G orbital configuration, were conducted between 5 September 1988 and 18 October 2003. Following the retirement of the Titan 23G, SLC-4W was deactivated. 93 rockets were launched from SLC-4W.
SLC-4W was the site of the launch of Clementine, the only spacecraft to be launched from Vandenberg to the Moon, which was launched by a Titan 23G on 25 January 1994.[citation needed]
[edit] SLC-4E
[edit] Atlas-Agena
The first launch from PALC2-4 occurred on 14 August 1964, when a KH-7 satellite was launched by an Atlas-Agena D. After 27 Atlas-Agena launches, the last of which was on 4 June 1967, the complex was deactivated.[citation needed]
[edit] Titan III/34D/IV
In 1971, it was reactivated as a Titan IIID launch site, designated SLC-4E, with the first launch occurring on 15 June. 22 Titan IIIDs were launched, until 17 November 1982, when the type was replaced by the Titan 34D. Seven 34Ds were launched between 20 June 1983, and 6 November 1988.[citation needed] On 18 April 1986, a Titan 34D exploded less than nine seconds after launch, showering debris over the launch pad.[5]
The last type to use the complex was the Titan IV, starting on 8 March 1991, with the launch of Lacrosse 2. On 19 October 2005, the last flight of a Titan rocket occurred, when a Titan IVB was launched from SLC-4E, with an Improved Crystal satellite. Following this launch, the complex was deactivated, having been used for 68 launches.[citation needed]
[edit] Falcon
SpaceX is currently refurbishing SLC–4E for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches,[2][6] in a 24-month refurbishment process that began in early 2011.[3] The draft environmental impact assessment with a finding of "no significant impact" was published in February 2011.[3] As of August 2011, demolition had begun on the pad's fixed and mobile service towers, with most of the fixed tower removed and the hammerhead crane removed from the mobile service tower.[7]
At a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. on 5 April 2011, Elon Musk stated, "Falcon Heavy will arrive at our Vandenberg, California, launch complex by the end of next year, with liftoff to follow soon thereafter. First launch from our Cape Canaveral launch complex is planned for late 2013 or 2014."[6]
In late 2012, SpaceX continued to anticipate that the initial launch from the Vandenberg pad would be in 2013.[8] The pad was nearing completion in February 2013 and is scheduled for it's first Falcon 9 launch in summer 2013.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ Air Force FOIA electronic reading room: List of launches from SLC-4 East and West
- ^ a b c Simburg, Rand. "SpaceX Press Conference". Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ^ a b c Scully, Janene (2011-02-05). "Report: Falcon plan OK for environment". Santa Maria Times (in English) (Santa Maria, California: Lee Enterprises). Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ "http://www.spacex.com/updates.php". SpaceX. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1268/1
- ^ a b "SpaceX announces launch date for FH".
- ^ "http://www.spacex.com/updates.php". SpaceX. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ "SpaceX Gears Up for Launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base". Space News. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
- ^ "First look/SpaceX Launch Complex/Vandenberg AFB". dailybreeze.com. 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
- Wade, Mark. "Vandenberg SLC4W". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
- Wade, Mark. "Vandenberg SLC4E". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
Coordinates: 34°37′58″N 120°36′48″W / 34.632706°N 120.613393°W
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