Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 5
 A Scout rocket launches Explorer 19 from SLC-5. | |
| Launch site | Vandenberg AFB |
|---|---|
| Location | 34°36′29″N 120°37′29″W / 34.6080°N 120.6247°WCoordinates: 34°36′29″N 120°37′29″W / 34.6080°N 120.6247°W |
| Short name | SLC-5 |
| Operator | US Air Force |
| Launch pad(s) | One |
| Minimum / maximum orbital inclination | 51° – 145° |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Inactive |
| Launches | 69 |
| First launch | 26 April 1962 Scout X-2 / Solrad 4B |
| Last launch | 9 May 1994 Scout G-1 / MSTI-2 |
Space Launch Complex 5 (SLC-5) was a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States. It was previously part of the Point Arguello Naval Air Station, during which time it was designated Launch Complex D or LC-D. Constructed in 1961, it was used by 69 Scout rockets between 1962 and 1994. Satellites launched from the complex included Transit, OV3, Explorer and P35 spacecraft. Most of the satellites launched from SLC-5 were placed into low Earth orbits, or low medium Earth orbits.
As of 2009, the complex is still standing, however the US Air Force is considering demolishing it to salvage parts. If the complex is dismantled, there are plans to produce a Historic American Engineering Record of the site, and to preserve the tower.[1]
SLC-5 launches
| Date | Nickname | Op # | Payload | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 April 1962 | Blue Scout I V-112 | 9201 | GRAB | |
| 23 May 1962 | Blue Scout II V-117 | 1201 | DMSP Block-1 | Failure - 2nd stage exploded |
| 23 August 1962 | Blue Scout III V-126 | 2201 | DMSP Block-1 | |
| 18 December 1962 | Blue Scout IV V-121 | 5201 | Transit | |
| 19 February 1963 | Blue Scout V V-132 | 0240 | DMSP Block-1 | |
| 5 April 1963 | Blue Scout VI | 0804 | Transit 5A-2 | |
| 26 April 1963 | Blue Scout VII | 1298 | DMSP Block-1 | |
| 15 June 1963 | Blue Scout VIII | 1292 | Transit 5A-3 | |
| 27 September 1963 | Blue Scout IX | 1610 | DMSP Block-1 | |
| 19 December 1963 | Blue Scout X | 2843 | Explorer 19/Atmosphere Density Experiment | |
| 3 Jun 1964 | ARROW PLANT | 4412 | Transit 5C-1 | |
| 25 Jun 1964 | CHERRY PIE | 4926 | Environmental Sciences Research Satellite | Launch failure |
| 25 Aug 1964 | HURRY BABY | 3826 | Explorer 20/Ionosphere Explorer | |
| 9 Oct 1964 | GUS GOOSE | 6072 | ||
| 21 Nov 1964 | IMA BIRD | 6328 | ||
| 6 Dec 1965 | SQUEEKY HUB | 0542 | ||
| 21 Dec 1965 | SOCIAL CIRCLE | 1509 | ||
| 28 Jan 1966 | INVENTORY AID | 1593 | ||
| 25 Mar 1966 | BEST GIRL | 1117 | ||
| 22 Apr 1966 | LABRADOR RETRVR | 1527 | ||
| 18 May 1966 | DANCE LESSON | 0082 | ||
| 4 Aug 1966 | RUBBER MAT | 3140 | ||
| 17 Aug 1966 | MARBLE HALL | 2366 | ||
| 28 Oct 1966 | BUSY SERVICE | 3820 | ||
| 31 Jan 1967 | BUSY MASON | 5589 | ||
| 13 Apr 1967 | BUSY MINUTEMAN | 0100 | ||
| 5 May 1967 | BUSY WIFE | 7102 | ||
| 18 May 1967 | BUSY OCEAN | 7218 | ||
| 29 May 1967 | OLD FAD | 8086 | ||
References
- Wade, Mark. "Vandenberg SLC5". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
- ↑ "Base considers disassembling historical launch complex". Spaceflight Now. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||