Jump to content

Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 34°38′35″N 120°35′19″W / 34.6429885°N 120.5885124°W / 34.6429885; -120.5885124
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
remove all SLC-4 related info
Rescuing 1 sources. #IABot
Line 31: Line 31:
Three successful [[Atlas IIAS]] missions were flown from SLC-3E. The first mission, flown on December 18, 1999, launched the [[Terra (satellite)|Terra]] satellite.<ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1999-068A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.</ref> The other two launched satellites in the [[Naval Ocean Surveillance System]], USA 160 and USA 173.<ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2001-040A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.</ref><ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2003-054A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.</ref> The final Atlas IIAS mission from SLC-3E was launched on December 2, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-successfully-launches-atlas-iias-nro-payload|title = ILS Successfully Launches Atlas IIAS with NRO Payload |date=December 2, 2003|publisher=International Launch Services|accessdate = 2013-03-16}}</ref>
Three successful [[Atlas IIAS]] missions were flown from SLC-3E. The first mission, flown on December 18, 1999, launched the [[Terra (satellite)|Terra]] satellite.<ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1999-068A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.</ref> The other two launched satellites in the [[Naval Ocean Surveillance System]], USA 160 and USA 173.<ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2001-040A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.</ref><ref>[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2003-054A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.</ref> The final Atlas IIAS mission from SLC-3E was launched on December 2, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-successfully-launches-atlas-iias-nro-payload|title = ILS Successfully Launches Atlas IIAS with NRO Payload |date=December 2, 2003|publisher=International Launch Services|accessdate = 2013-03-16}}</ref>


It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the [[Atlas V]].<!-- rocket after plans to build two [[Delta IV rocket|Delta IV]] launch platforms were put on hold.--><ref name="2003ray">{{cite web | title=Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift | <!--url=http://www.nishkian.com/Complete/Dean_PDFs/SLC-3E_ARTICLE_12-04-03.pdf |format=PDF| accessdate=August 15, 2005 --> |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac164/031204slc3e.html |date=December 4, 2003 |author=Justin Ray}}</ref> Renovations of SLC-3E, which began after a January 2004 ground breaking ceremony, included raising the Mobile Service Tower roof by approximately {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}}, to a height of {{convert|239|ft|abbr=on}}. The tower can thus accommodate an Atlas V 500 series vehicle with its larger payload fairing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2004/LockheedMartinBeginsAtlasVWestCoast.html |title=Lockheed Martin Begins Atlas V West Coast Launch Pad Renovations SLC 3E Being Readied for Atlas V Missions in Fall 2005 |publisher=LM |date=January 14, 2004}}</ref> In July 2004 [[Lockheed Martin]] announced the arrival of the fourth and final segment of the fixed launch platform (FLP). The segments had been transported from a fabrication facility in [[Oak Hill, FL]], {{convert|3500|mi}} away. The largest segment weighed 90 tons and, "is thought to be the biggest over-the-road shipment ever attempted cross-country."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-marks-major-milestone-at-west-coast-atlas-v-launch-pad-71437602.html |title=Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad |publisher=PR Newswire |date=July 27, 2004}}</ref> In February 2005 the activations team handed over the launch pad to the operational team, marking the end of major reconstruction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2005/LOCKHEEDMARTINDELIVERSFIRSTATLASFIV.html |title=LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS FIRST ATLAS FIVE BOOSTER TO WEST COAST LAUNCH SITE |publisher=Lockheed Martin |date=February 11, 2005}}</ref> The first Atlas V launch from SLC-3E took place at 10:02 GMT on March 13, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iREy1ROPlY2e5lcvGv7971nK0s2gD8VCHE800 |title=Rocket Lifts Off With Secret Satellite |agency=Associated Press}}{{dead link|date=November 2012|bot=Legobot}}</ref>
It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the [[Atlas V]].<!-- rocket after plans to build two [[Delta IV rocket|Delta IV]] launch platforms were put on hold.--><ref name="2003ray">{{cite web | title=Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift | <!--url=http://www.nishkian.com/Complete/Dean_PDFs/SLC-3E_ARTICLE_12-04-03.pdf |format=PDF| accessdate=August 15, 2005 --> |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac164/031204slc3e.html |date=December 4, 2003 |author=Justin Ray}}</ref> Renovations of SLC-3E, which began after a January 2004 ground breaking ceremony, included raising the Mobile Service Tower roof by approximately {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}}, to a height of {{convert|239|ft|abbr=on}}. The tower can thus accommodate an Atlas V 500 series vehicle with its larger payload fairing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2004/LockheedMartinBeginsAtlasVWestCoast.html |title=Lockheed Martin Begins Atlas V West Coast Launch Pad Renovations SLC 3E Being Readied for Atlas V Missions in Fall 2005 |publisher=LM |date=January 14, 2004}}</ref> In July 2004 [[Lockheed Martin]] announced the arrival of the fourth and final segment of the fixed launch platform (FLP). The segments had been transported from a fabrication facility in [[Oak Hill, FL]], {{convert|3500|mi}} away. The largest segment weighed 90 tons and, "is thought to be the biggest over-the-road shipment ever attempted cross-country."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-marks-major-milestone-at-west-coast-atlas-v-launch-pad-71437602.html |title=Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad |publisher=PR Newswire |date=July 27, 2004}}</ref> In February 2005 the activations team handed over the launch pad to the operational team, marking the end of major reconstruction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2005/LOCKHEEDMARTINDELIVERSFIRSTATLASFIV.html |title=LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS FIRST ATLAS FIVE BOOSTER TO WEST COAST LAUNCH SITE |publisher=Lockheed Martin |date=February 11, 2005}}</ref> The first Atlas V launch from SLC-3E took place at 10:02 GMT on March 13, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iREy1ROPlY2e5lcvGv7971nK0s2gD8VCHE800 |title=Rocket Lifts Off With Secret Satellite |agency=Associated Press |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080502021721/http://ap.google.com:80/article/ALeqM5iREy1ROPlY2e5lcvGv7971nK0s2gD8VCHE800 |archivedate=May 2, 2008 }}</ref>


==SLC-3W==
==SLC-3W==

Revision as of 11:22, 29 February 2016

Space Launch Complex 3
The first Atlas V to launch from the West Coast at SLC-3E.
Map
Launch siteVandenberg AFB
Location34.6423°N
120.5885°W
Short nameSLC-3
OperatorUS Air Force
Total launches119
Launch pad(s)2
Orbital inclination
range		51° – 145°
SLC-3W (PALC-1-1) launch history
StatusDemolished
Launches81
First launchOctober 11, 1960
Atlas-Agena / Samos 1
Last launchMarch 24, 1995
Atlas-E/F / USA-109
Associated
rockets		Atlas-Agena
Thorad-Agena
Thor-Agena
Atlas
Falcon 1 (unused)
SLC-3E (PALC-1-2) launch history
StatusActive
Launches38
First launchJuly 12, 1961
Atlas-Agena / Midas 3
Last launchDecember 13, 2014
Atlas V / USA-259
Associated
rockets		Atlas-Agena
Atlas
Atlas II
Atlas V (current)

Space Launch Complex 3 (SLC-3) is a launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base that has been used by Atlas and Thor rockets. It was built in the early 1960s[not verified in body] and consists of two pads, SLC-3E (East) and SLC-3W (West). The East-West coastline at Vandenberg allows SLC-3 to launch over-ocean polar trajectories that avoid landfall until passing over Antarctica. By contrast, Cape Canaveral has a North-South coastline permitting over-ocean launches into standard orbits.

SLC-3E

Three successful Atlas IIAS missions were flown from SLC-3E. The first mission, flown on December 18, 1999, launched the Terra satellite.[1] The other two launched satellites in the Naval Ocean Surveillance System, USA 160 and USA 173.[2][3] The final Atlas IIAS mission from SLC-3E was launched on December 2, 2003.[4]

It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the Atlas V.[5] Renovations of SLC-3E, which began after a January 2004 ground breaking ceremony, included raising the Mobile Service Tower roof by approximately 30 ft (9.1 m), to a height of 239 ft (73 m). The tower can thus accommodate an Atlas V 500 series vehicle with its larger payload fairing.[6] In July 2004 Lockheed Martin announced the arrival of the fourth and final segment of the fixed launch platform (FLP). The segments had been transported from a fabrication facility in Oak Hill, FL, 3,500 miles (5,600 km) away. The largest segment weighed 90 tons and, "is thought to be the biggest over-the-road shipment ever attempted cross-country."[7] In February 2005 the activations team handed over the launch pad to the operational team, marking the end of major reconstruction.[8] The first Atlas V launch from SLC-3E took place at 10:02 GMT on March 13, 2008.[9]

SLC-3W

Falcon 1 on Pad 3W.

SLC-3W was originally built for Atlas-Agena launches and the first flight off the pad was the launch of Samos 1 in October 1960. The facility was extensively damaged 11 months later when Samos 3's booster exploded on the pad, but it was repaired quickly and hosted its next launch slightly under two months afterwards.

In 1962-63, the pad was converted for Thor-Agena use and was the primary launching site for Corona reconnaissance satellites for the next decade. After the Corona program ended in 1972, SLC-3W was converted back to support Atlases, this time flights of refurbished Atlas E/F missiles. The final such launch took place in 1995.

SLC-3W was used briefly by SpaceX during the early development of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle.[10][11]


References

  1. ^ NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
  2. ^ NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
  3. ^ NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
  4. ^ "ILS Successfully Launches Atlas IIAS with NRO Payload". International Launch Services. December 2, 2003. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  5. ^ Justin Ray (December 4, 2003). "Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad". PR Newswire. July 27, 2004.
  8. ^ "LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS FIRST ATLAS FIVE BOOSTER TO WEST COAST LAUNCH SITE". Lockheed Martin. February 11, 2005.
  9. ^ "Rocket Lifts Off With Secret Satellite". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ NASASpaceFlight.com Forum > General Space Flight (Atlas, Delta, ESA, Russian, Chinese) > Commercial Launchers (Space X, Sea Launch, etc.) > Topic: Elon Musk Q&A – Updates SpaceX status on Falcon and Dragon > Reply #2554
  11. ^ Federal Register /Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, December 19, 2008 / Proposed Rules, page 77579.

34°38′35″N 120°35′19″W / 34.6429885°N 120.5885124°W / 34.6429885; -120.5885124

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vandenberg_Space_Launch_Complex_3&oldid=707531073"