Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 2

Space Launch Complex 2

Delta II at SLC-2W, with Gravity Probe B
Launch site Vandenberg AFB
Location 34.7545°N
120.6198°W
Short name SLC-2
Operator US Air Force
Total launches TBC
Launch pad(s) 2
Min / max
orbital inclination
51° – 145°
SLC-2W launch history
Status Active
Launches  
First launch 17 September 1959
PGM-17 Thor
Last launch 31 January 2015
Delta II / SMAP
Associated
rockets
PGM-17 Thor
Thor-Agena
Delta
Delta II (current)
SLC-2E launch history
Status Inactive
Launches 52
First launch 16 December 1958
PGM-17 Thor
Last launch 12 March 1972
Delta N / TD-1A
Associated
rockets
PGM-17 Thor
Delta
Thor-Agena
Thorad-Agena

Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) is an active rocket launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, USA. It consists of two launch pads. The East pad (SLC-2E), which has been demolished, was used for Delta, Thor-Agena and Thorad launches between 1966 and 1972. The West pad, SLC-2W, has been used for Delta, Thor-Agena, and Delta II launches since 1966, and is still in service with the Delta II.

Space Launch Complex 2 was originally part of Launch Complex 75. When this complex was split up in 1966, the first launch to be made from the newly redesignated Space Launch Complex 2 was that of a Delta E with ESSA-3 on 2 October 1966 from SLC-2E. The first launch from SLC-2W after redesignation was of a Thor-Agena with OPS 1584 on 29 December 1966.

SLC-2E and SLC-2W are located approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) apart.

External links

Coordinates: 34°45′16″N 120°37′11″W / 34.7545°N 120.6198°W / 34.7545; -120.6198


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, January 31, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.