Vandenberg Probe Launch Complex C

Probe Launch Complex C

Launch site	Point Arguello Vandenberg
Location	34.6095°N 120.6284°W / 34.6095; -120.6284
Short name	PLC-C
Operator	US Air Force
Total launches	Six
Launch pad(s)	One
Launch history
Status	Inactive
First launch	29 June 1971
Last launch	12 December 1975
Associated rockets	Aerobee-170 Tomahawk

Probe Launch Complex C or PLC-C at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States, is a launch complex which was used for six sounding rocket launches between 1971 and 1975. It was originally built as Launch Complex C or LC-C at the Point Arguello Naval Air Station, however no launches were made from the site whilst it was part of Point Arguello. Following the merger of Point Arguello into Vandenberg AFB in 1964, it was briefly designated PALC-C, and subsequently Probe Launch Complex C.

Launch history

Six launches occurred from Probe Launch Complex C. The first four launches used Aerobee-170 rockets, whilst the last two used Tomahawks. Five of the launches reached space, with the exception of the third Aerobee, which failed early in its flight. The Aerobee launches conducted tests of infrared sensors for anti-ballistic missile systems, whilst the Tomahawks were used for aeronomy research.

Date/Time (GMT)	Rocket	Mission	Outcome	Apogee	Remarks
29 June 1971, 13:10	Aerobee-170	Chaser-1	Successful	161 kilometres (100 mi)
24 November 1971, 06:15	Aerobee-170	Chaser-2	Successful	145 kilometres (90 mi)
20 June 1972, 16:45	Aerobee-170	Chaser-3	Failure	8 kilometres (5.0 mi)
11 October 1972, 11:31	Aerobee-170	Chaser-4	Successful	151 kilometres (94 mi)
15 August 1975, 05:21	Tomahawk	Escape I	Successful	272 kilometres (169 mi)
12 December 1975, 05:09	Tomahawk	Escape II	Successful	164 kilometres (102 mi)

References

• Wade, Mark. "Vandenberg PLC-C". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
• Webb, Brian. "Vandenberg AFB Launch History". Southwest Space Archive. Retrieved 2009-05-19.