Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 10
{{Short description|Rocket launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox launch pad
|name = Space Launch Complex 10
|image = Thor DSV-2U launch with DMSP-5D-F5 satellite.jpg
|caption = A Thor DSV-2U carrying a DMSP weather satellite launches from SLC-10W in 1980. This was the last orbital launch from the complex.
|site = Vandenberg Space Force Base
|short = SLC-10
|location = {{Coord|34|45|55|N|120|37|20|W}}
| utc_offset = −08:00
| time_zone = PST
| utc_offset_DST = −07:00
| time_zone_DST = PDT
| operator = United States Space Force
|tlaunches = 38
|pads = 2
|inclination = 51° – 145°
| paddetails = {{Infobox launch pad/pad
| designation = SLC-10W
| status = Inactive
| launches = 32
| first = 14 August 1959 |first_details = PGM-17 Thor
| last = 15 July 1980 |last_details = {{nowrap|Thor DSV-2U / DMSP-5D1 F-5}}
| rockets = PGM-17 Thor
Thor MG-18
Thor-Burner
Thor DSV-2U
}} {{Infobox launch pad/pad
| designation = SLC-10E
| status = Inactive
| launches = 6
| first = 16 June 1959 |first_details = PGM-17 Thor
| last = 19 March 1962 |last_details = PGM-17 Thor
| rockets = PGM-17 Thor
}}{{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Space Launch Complex 10
| nrhp_type = nhl
| location = Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, California
| coordinates = {{coord|34|45|55|N|120|37|20|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = California#USA
| area =
| architect =
| architecture =
| added = June 23, 1986
| designated_nrhp_type = June 23, 1986
}} }}
{{Vandenberg launch pad map|highlight=3}}
Space Launch Complex 10 (SLC-10), or Missile Launch Complex 10, is located on Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California. It was built in 1958 to test ballistic missiles and developed into a space launching facility in 1963.[https://archive.today/20121213022206/https://www.denix.osd.mil/portal/page/portal/denix/environment/CR/NRHPNHL/NHLMap/California DOD NHL details for California] Prior to 1966, Space Launch Complex 10W (SLC-10W) was known as Vandenberg AFB Pad 75-2-6.{{cite web |url=http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/thorh6.html |title=Thor Burner - Sixth in a Series Reviewing Thor Family History
|author=Ed Kyle |date=3 July 2009}} It remains a rare pristine look at the electronics and facilities created in that era that helped the United States grow its space capabilities.
The last launch from this complex was a Thor booster in 1980. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986.{{NRHP Focus|86003511}}
It is undergoing an eight-year restoration, and public visits are possible, if arranged in advance.[http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/spa.htm NPS History of Aviation]
History
The launch complex was built in 1958 by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation, and was first designated Complex 75-2. At that time it consisted of three launch pads, which were used to train military operators of PGM-17 Thor ballistic missiles, and to conduct missile launch tests. The first launches were conducted by the British Royal Air Force in June and August 1959. The facilities at SLC-10 were dismantled and transported to Johnston Island in support of Operation Dominic, a nuclear weapons testing project conducted there in 1962.
The launch complex was rebuilt in 1963 to support the development of Burner rockets, with two launch pads, designated SLC-10E and SLC-10W. Tests were conducted at SLC-10W from 1965 to 1980, using the Thor satellite launch vehicles, the first stages of which followed the design of the Thor missile.
Surviving elements
Two launch pads and a prefabricated launch blockhouse are the principal surviving elements of the complex. The blockhouse interior still includes all of the electrical equipment used in later launches. SLC-10W also includes pipes and storage facilities for storing and managing the liquid fuel used in the rockets.{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/space-launch-complex-10.htm|title=Space Launch Complex 10|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2018-02-13}}
Launch History
= SLC-10W =
{{#invoke:Chart | bar chart
| float = center
| width = 800
| height = 400
| stack = 1
| group 1 = 1: 0:0:0:0:0: 2:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 2 = 0: 0:0:0:0:0: 2:3:4:2:1: 2:3:2:1:2: 1:1:0:0:0: 0
| group 3 = 0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:1:1:1:1: 1
| colors = Blue : Aquamarine : Cyan
| group names = Thor : Thor-Burner : Thor DSV-2U
| x legends = : 1960::::: 1965::::: 1970::::: 1975::::: 1980
| y tick marks = 4
| units suffix = _launches
}}
= SLC-10E =
{{#invoke:Chart | bar chart
| float = center
| width = 800
| height = 400
| stack = 1
| group 1 = 1: 1:3:1
| colors = Blue
| group names = Thor
| x legends = 1959: 1960: 1961: 1962
| y tick marks = 3
| units suffix = _launches
}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite book |last1=Page II|first1=Joseph T. |title=Images of America: Vandenberg Air Force Base |year=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing|oclc=905345173}}
- {{cite book |last1=Page II|first1=Joseph T. |title=Space Launch Complex Ten: Vandenberg's Cold War Historic Landmark |year=2016 |publisher=History Press|oclc=952155149}}
- [https://archive.org/details/space-launch-complex-ten-brochure United States Air Force. (1998) Space Launch Complex 10: A National Historic Landmark. Brochure.]
External links
- [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary]
- [https://archive.today/20121213022206/https://www.denix.osd.mil/portal/page/portal/denix/environment/CR/NRHPNHL/NHLMap/California DOD NHL details for California]
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under North End of Aero Road, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA:
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296 |id=ca3077 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10 |data=115 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-A |id=ca3078 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Blockhouse |photos=27 |cap=5 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-B |id=ca3079 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Metal Building |photos=2 |cap=2 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-C |id=ca3080 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Office and Administration Building |photos=7 |cap=3 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-D |id=ca3081 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Technical Support Building |photos=9 |cap=3 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-E |id=ca3082 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Hydrogen Peroxide Facility |photos=1 |cap=2 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-F |id=ca3083 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, East Launch Pad |photos=26 |cap=4 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-G |id=ca3084 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Maintenance Support Building |photos=5 |cap=2 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-H |id=ca3085 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, West Launch Pad |photos=61 |cap=7 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-I |id=ca3086 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Construction Storage Building |photos=3 |cap=2 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-J |id=ca3087 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Power Substation |photos=1 |cap=2 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-296-K |id=ca3088 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, LE-8 |photos=9 |cap=3 |link=no}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{Spaceflight landmarks}}
{{Vandenberg Air Force Base launch sites}}
Category:Launch complexes of the United States Space Force
Category:Vandenberg Space Force Base
Category:Buildings and structures in Santa Barbara County, California
Category:Historic American Engineering Record in California
Category:National Historic Landmarks in California
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Santa Barbara County, California