Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3#SLC-3E
{{short description|Launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox launch pad
| name = Space Launch Complex 3
| image = SLC-3 Service Tower Rolls Back for InSight.jpg
| caption = The mobile launcher platform at SLC-3E rolls back prior to the launch of InSight in May 2018
| site = Vandenberg Space Force Base
| short = SLC-3
| location = {{Coord|34.6429885|N|120.5885124|W|format=dms}}
| utc_offset = −08:00
| time_zone = PST
| utc_offset_DST = −07:00
| time_zone_DST = PDT
| operator = United States Space Force (owner)
United Launch Alliance (tenant)
| tlaunches = 111
| pads = 2
| inclination = 51° – 145°
| paddetails = {{Infobox launch pad/pad
| designation = SLC-3W (PALC-1-1)
| status = Demolished
| launches = 63
| first = October 11, 1960 |first_details = Atlas-Agena / Samos 1
| last = March 24, 1995 |last_details = Atlas-E/F / USA-109
| rockets = {{Unbulleted list |class=nowraplinks |
| Retired: Atlas-Agena, Thor-Agena, Thorad-Agena, Atlas E/F
| Plans cancelled: Falcon 1
}}
}}
{{Infobox launch pad/pad
| designation = SLC-3E (PALC-1-2)
| status = Undergoing renovation
| launches = 48
| first = July 12, 1961
| first_details = Atlas-Agena / Midas 3
| last = November 10, 2022
| last_details = Atlas V / JPSS-2 and LOFTID
| rockets = {{Unbulleted list |class=nowraplinks |
| Future: Vulcan Centaur
| Retired: Atlas-Agena, Atlas SLV-3, Atlas-Burner, Atlas E/F, Atlas H, Atlas II, Atlas V
}}
}}
}}
{{Vandenberg launch pad map|highlight=6}}
Space Launch Complex 3 (SLC-3) is a launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base that consists of two separate launch pads. Space Launch Complex 3 East (SLC-3E) was used by the Atlas V launch vehicle before it was decommissioned in August 2021 with the final launch taking place on November 10, 2022, at 09:49, while Space Launch Complex 3 West (SLC-3W) has been demolished.{{cite news|last=Ray|first=Justin|title=Vandenberg launch pad demolition set for Sunday|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/news/0001/20slc3wtopple/index.html|date=January 20, 2000|access-date=September 27, 2022|work=Spaceflight Now}}
Launches from Vandenberg fly southward, allowing payloads to be placed in high-inclination orbits such as polar or Sun-synchronous orbit, which allow full global coverage on a regular basis and are often used for weather, Earth observation, and reconnaissance satellites. These orbits are difficult to reach from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where launches must fly eastward due to major population centers to both the north and south of Kennedy Space Center. Avoiding these would require hugely inefficient maneuvering, greatly reducing payload capacity.{{cite web|title=Launch Sites|url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/sts/launch.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013033531/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/sts/launch.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 13, 1999|publisher=NASA Human Spaceflight Office}}
SLC-3E was the launch site of the Mars lander InSight in May 2018.{{cite news |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1312/19insight/ |title=Mars lander to launch from California on Atlas 5 in 2016 |work=Spaceflight Now |first=Stephen |last=Clark |date=December 19, 2013 |access-date=December 20, 2013}}
SLC-3E
One of two Atlas-Agena pads at VAFB, SLC-3E was originally the designated facility for MIDAS (Missile Defense Alarm System) launches and hosted its first flight on July 12, 1961. After the MIDAS program ended in 1966, SLC-3E then hosted reentry vehicle tests in 1967-68 as part of Project PRIME. The pad was mothballed for a decade, then returned to use in the late 1970s for NAVSTAR communications satellites on refurbished Atlas E/F missiles. On December 19, 1981, Atlas 76E crashed a few hundred feet from the pad after an engine failure, but no serious damage resulted to facilities. SLC-3E was then converted for the Atlas H (Atlas-Centaur core with a solid upper stage in place of the Centaur) and hosted ELINT satellite launches from 1983-87. The pad was mothballed once again and not used for the next 12 years, when it was revived for the Atlas IIAS.
Three successful Atlas IIAS missions were flown from SLC-3E. The first mission, flown on December 18, 1999, launched the Terra satellite.[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1999-068A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA. The other two launched satellites in the Naval Ocean Surveillance System, USA 160 and USA 173.[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2001-040A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA.[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2003-054A NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details]. NASA. The final Atlas IIAS mission from SLC-3E was launched on December 2, 2003.{{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|access-date = March 16, 2013}}
It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the Atlas V.{{cite web |author=Justin Ray |date=December 4, 2003 |title=Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/ac164/031204slc3e.html}} Renovations of SLC-3E began after a January 2004 ground breaking ceremony. Along with other work, the Mobile Service Tower roof was raised by approximately {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} to a height of {{convert|239|ft|abbr=on}} to accommodate an Atlas V 500 series vehicle with its larger payload fairing.{{cite web |date=January 14, 2004 |title=Lockheed Martin Begins Atlas V West Coast Launch Pad Renovations SLC 3E Being Readied for Atlas V Missions in Fall 2005 |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2004/LockheedMartinBeginsAtlasVWestCoast.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813222921/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2004/LockheedMartinBeginsAtlasVWestCoast.html |archive-date=August 13, 2011 |publisher=LM }} 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 was "thought to be the biggest over-the-road shipment ever attempted cross-country."{{cite web |date=July 27, 2004 |title=Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-marks-major-milestone-at-west-coast-atlas-v-launch-pad-71437602.html |publisher=PR Newswire}} In February 2005, the activation team handed over the launch pad to the operational team, marking the end of major reconstruction.{{cite web |date=February 11, 2005 |title=Lockheed Martin Delivers First Atlas Five Booster to West Coast Launch Site|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2005/LOCKHEEDMARTINDELIVERSFIRSTATLASFIV.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130504/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2005/LOCKHEEDMARTINDELIVERSFIRSTATLASFIV.html |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |publisher=Lockheed Martin }} The first Atlas V launch from SLC-3E took place at 10:02 GMT on March 13, 2008.{{cite news |title=ULA Inaugural Atlas V West Coast Launch a Success |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news/2008/03/13/ula-inaugural-atlas-v-west-coast-launch-a-success|date=March 13, 2008|publisher=ULA|access-date=November 24, 2022}}
United Launch Alliance (ULA) inherited the pad in December 2006 when the company was formed as the joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and continued to use it to fly Atlas V rockets. In October 2015 ULA announced that the pad would be updated to accommodate the upcoming Vulcan Centaur rocket, with the pad then being able to launch either Atlas V or Vulcan.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |title=ULA selects launch pads for new Vulcan rocket – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2015/10/12/ula-selects-launch-pads-for-new-vulcan-rocket/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |language=en-US}} The final Atlas V launch from the pad took place on November 10, 2022, carrying the JPSS-2 satellite.{{cite web |last=Gebhardt |first=Chris |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/11/jpss-2-launch/ |title=Atlas rocket bids farewell to California as ULA readies for Vulcan |date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=November 10, 2022 |work=NASASpaceFlight}} The first flight of Vulcan from SLC-3E was anticipated to be in 2023,{{Cite web |last=Gebhardt |first=Chris |date=August 21, 2020 |title=ULA updates Vulcan status, readiness for certification missions |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/ula-updates-vulcan-status/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}} but Vulcan has been delayed and the first flight from SLC-3E is now expected in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Space Force assigns 12 national security missions to SpaceX and ULA |url=https://spacenews.com/space-force-assigns-12-national-security-missions-to-spacex-and-ula/ |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}} {{Asof|2024|12}} Conversion work to support Vulcan Centaur is ongoing and completion is expected in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://blog.ulalaunch.com/blog/west-coast-vulcan-construction-update|title= West Coast Vulcan Construction Update|date=December 3, 2024|access-date=March 28, 2025|publisher=ULA}}
SLC-3W
SLC-3W was originally built for Atlas-Agena launches and the first flight off the pad was the launch of Samos 1 on October 11, 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.
SpaceX initially planned to use SLC-3W for the Falcon 1 launch vehicle but switched to SLC-4E with Falcon 9.Federal Register /Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, December 19, 2008 / [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2008-0332-0001 Proposed Rules], page 77579.
Launch Statistics
= SLC-3E =
{{#invoke:Chart | bar chart
| float = left
| width = 800
| height = 400
| stack = 1
| group 1 = 3:3:3:0: 3:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 2 = 0:0:0:0: 1:2:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 3 = 0:0:0:0: 0:0:1:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 4 = 0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:4:0: 2:1:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 5 = 0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:2:1: 0:1:1:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 6 = 0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:1: 0:1:0:1:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 7 = 0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:1:1: 1:1:1:2:3: 1:1:2:1:0: 0:1:1:0:0: 0
| group 8 = 0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| colors = MediumPurple : LightSteelBlue : DodgerBlue : MediumBlue : MediumSlateBlue : LightSeaGreen : DarkOrchid : MediumVioletRed
| group names = Atlas-Agena : Atlas SLV-3 : Atlas-Burner : Atlas E/F : Atlas H : Atlas II : Atlas V : Vulcan
| x legends = 1961:::: 1965::::: 1970::::: 1975::::: 1980::::: 1985::::: 1990::::: 1995::::: 2000::::: 2005::::: 2010::::: 2015::::: 2020::::: 2025
| units suffix = _launches
}}
== Early Atlas ==
All launches from 1961 to 1963 operated by the United States Navy. All launches since 1965 operated by the United States Air Force.
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!No. !Date !Time (UTC) !Launch vehicle !Configuration !Payload !Result !Remarks |
| 1
|12 July 1961 |15:11 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-A |{{Success}} |First launch from PALC-1-2. |
|---|
| 2
|21 October 1961 |13:53 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Partial failure}} |Roll control failed 186 seconds following launch, placing satellite in an incorrect orbit. |
| 3
|22 December 1961 |19:12 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Partial failure}} |Sustainer engine cutoff failed, leading to Atlas burn to continue until fuel depletion, placing satellite in higher than expected orbit. |
| 4
|7 March 1962 |22:10 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 5
|9 April 1962 |15:04 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Partial failure}} |Rocket underwent improper pitch program, placing payload in incorrect orbit. |
| 6
|17 December 1962 |20:36 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Failure}} |Hydraulic heat shield failed at liftoff, leading to loss of booster engine hydraulic fluid. Range safety protocols engaged 80 seconds after launch. |
| 7
|9 May 1963 |20:06 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 8
|12 June 1963 |Unknown |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 9
|19 July 1963 |03:51 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 10
|9 June 1966 |20:15 |Atlas SLV-3 /Agena-D |{{Partial failure}} |First launch as SLC-3 and as SLC-3E. First Atlas SLV launch from the complex. Agena engine relight failed, placing satellite in incorrect orbit. |
| 11
|19 August 1966 |19:30 |Atlas SLV-3 /Agena-D |{{Success}} | |
| 12
|5 October 1966 |22:00 |Atlas SLV-3 /Agena-D |{{Success}} | |
| 13
|21 December 1966 |22:15 |Atlas SLV-3 |{{Success}} |Suborbital launch. First of three test flights of the X-23 PRIME. |
| 14
|5 March 1967 |23:05 |Atlas SLV-3 |{{Success}} |Suborbital launch. Second of three test flights of the X-23 PRIME. |
| 15
|20 April 1967 |01:35 |Atlas SLV-3 |{{Success}} |Suborbital launch. Third of three test flights of the X-23 PRIME. |
| 16
|16 August 1968 |20:57 |Atlas SLV-3 /Burner 2 |{{Failure}} |Maiden flight of the Atlas-Burner and only flight from SLC-3E. Payload fairings failed to separate, leading to failure to reach orbit. |
| 17
|22 February 1978 |23:44 |Atlas E/F / SVS |OPS-5111 (GPS-1) |{{Success}} |First Atlas E/F flight from SLC-3E. First launch of the Global Positioning System. |
| 18
|13 May 1978 |10:34 |Atlas E/F / SVS |OPS-5112 (GPS-2) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 19
|7 October 1978 |00:28 |Atlas E/F / SVS |OPS-5113 (GPS-3) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 20
|11 December 1978 |03:59 |Atlas E/F / SVS |OPS-5114 (GPS-4) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 21
|9 February 1980 |23:08 |Atlas E/F / SVS |OPS-5117 (GPS-5) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 22
|26 April 1980 |22:00 |Atlas E/F / SVS |OPS-5118 (GPS-6) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 23
|19 December 1981 |01:10 |Atlas E/F / SVS |{{Failure}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. Sealant covering gas generator caused premature shutdown of a booster engine 7 seconds after launch, activating RSO protocols just before hitting the ground. Last Atlas E/F launch from SLC-3E. |
| 24
|9 February 1983 |13:47 |Atlas H / MSD |OPS-0252 (NOSS-5) |{{Success}} |Maiden flight of the Atlas H. |
| 25
|9 June 1983 |23:23 |Atlas H / MSD |OPS-6432 (NOSS-6) |{{Success}} | |
| 26
|5 February 1984 |18:44 |Atlas H / MSD |OPS-8737 (NOSS-7) |{{Success}} | |
| 27
|9 February 1986 |10:06 |Atlas H / MSD |USA-15 to USA-18 (NOSS-8) |{{Success}} | |
| 28
|15 May 1987 |15:45 |Atlas H / MSD |USA-22 to USA-25 (NOSS-9) |{{Success}} |Last flight of the Atlas H. |
== Atlas II and Atlas V ==
All Atlas II launches operated by Lockheed Martin. All Atlas V launches operated by United Launch Alliance.
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
!No. !Date !Time (UTC) !Launch vehicle !Configuration !Payload !Result !Remarks |
| 29
|18 December 1999 |18:57 |Atlas IIAS |{{Success}} |Part of the Large Strategic Science Missions, aimed at studying Earth's climate. First civilian launch from SLC-3E, first Atlas II launch from Vandenberg, and first flight of a Centaur upper stage from Vandenberg. |
|---|
| 30
|8 September 2001 |15:25 |Atlas IIAS |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-160. First launch from SLC-3E acknowledged by the National Reconnaissance Office. |
| 31
|2 December 2003 |10:04 |Atlas IIAS |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-173. Last Atlas II flight from Vandenberg. |
| 32
|13 March 2008 |10:02 |Atlas V 411 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Trumpet satellite, also known as USA-200. First Atlas V flight from Vandenberg. |
| 33
|18 October 2009 |16:12 |Atlas V 401 |USA-210 (DMSP 5D3-F18) |{{Success}} | |
| 34
|21 September 2010 |04:03 |Atlas V 501 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Topaz satellite, also known as USA-215. First launch of the Atlas V 500 configuration from SLC-3E. |
| 35
|15 April 2011 |04:24 |Atlas V 411 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-229. |
| 36
|13 September 2012 |21:39 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-238. |
| 37
|11 February 2013 |18:02 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |Part of the Landsat program, aimed at providing research-oriented photographs of Earth. First civilian Atlas V launch from Vandenberg. |
| 38
|6 December 2013 |07:04 |Atlas V 501 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Topaz satellite, also known as USA-247. Flight became notable for its patch featuring an octopus on a globe with the motto "Nothing is Beyond Our Reach," which generated controversy following the 2013 Global surveillance disclosures. |
| 39
|3 April 2014 |14:46 |Atlas V 401 |USA-249 (DMSP-5D3 F19) |{{Success}} |Final launch of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. |
| 40
|13 August 2014 |18:30 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |First commercial launch from SLC-3E. |
| 41
|13 December 2014 |03:19 |Atlas V 541 |{{Success}} |
| 42
|8 October 2015 |12:49 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-264. |
| 43
|11 November 2016 |18:30 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} | |
| 44
|1 March 2017 |17:49 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-274. |
| 45
|24 September 2017 |05:49 |Atlas V 541 |{{Success}} |NRO launch. Trumpet satellite, also known as USA-278. Last flight of the Atlas V 500 configuration from SLC-3E. |
| 46
|5 May 2018 |11:05 |Atlas V 401 |InSight and Mars Cube One |{{Success}} |Part of the Discovery Program, aiming to study the interior of Mars. First interplanetary launch from Vandenberg, and first flight to another celestial body from SLC-3E. |
| 47
|27 September 2021 |18:12 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |Part of the Landsat program, aimed at providing research-oriented photographs of Earth. |
| 48
|10 November 2022 |09:49 |Atlas V 401 |{{Success}} |Part of the Joint Polar Satellite System for NOAA-21, aimed at providing environmental data used in numerical weather prediction. Inflatable heat shield test for LOFTID. Last flight of the Atlas V 400 configuration, and final Atlas launch from Vandenberg. |
= SLC-3W =
{{ #invoke:Chart | bar chart
| float = center
| width = 800
| height = 400
| stack = 1
| group 1 = 1:4:5:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:1:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 2 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:1:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 3 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:4:6: 4:3:2:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0
| group 4 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:1: 1:1:2:1:2: 3:1:1:3:3: 2:1:1:2:0: 2:2:0:1:2: 1
| colors = MediumPurple : LightBlue : Aquamarine : MediumBlue
| group names = Atlas-Agena : Thor-Agena : Thorad-Agena : Atlas E/F
| x legends = 1960 ::::: 1965 ::::: 1970::::: 1975::::: 1980::::: 1985::::: 1990::::: 1995
| units suffix = _launches
}}
== Early Atlas and Thor ==
All launches from 1960 to 1962 operated by the United States Navy. All launches since 1966 operated by the United States Air Force.
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!No. !Date !Time (UTC) !Launch vehicle !Configuration !Payload !Result !Remarks |
| 1
|11 October 1960 |20:33 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-A |{{Failure}} |First launch from PALC-1 and first Atlas-Agena flight from Vandenberg. Improper umbilical disconnect during launch resulted in loss of Agena pressurization gas and failure to achieve orbit. |
|---|
| 2
|31 January 1961 |20:21 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} |First successful launch from PALC-1. |
| 3
|9 September 1961 |19:28 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Failure}} |Improper umbilical disconnect led to loss of power in launch vehicle, causing it to fall and crash back onto pad. |
| 4
|22 November 1961 |20:45 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Failure}} |Pitch control failed 244 seconds into flight. While Agena succeeded in staging, it was facing the wrong direction and failed to achieve orbit. |
| 5
|26 April 1962 |18:56 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 6
|17 June 1962 |18:14 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 7
|18 July 1962 |20:15 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 8
|5 August 1962 |17:59 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 9
|11 November 1962 |20:17 |Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B |{{Success}} | |
| 10
|20 September 1966 |21:14 |TAT SLV-2A / Agena-D |OPS-1703 (KH-4A) |{{Success}} |First launch as SLC-3W. First Thor launch and only Thor-Agena launch from the pad. |
| 11
|1 May 1968 |21:31 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-1419 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} |First Thorad-Agena launch from SLC-3W. |
| 12
|7 August 1968 |21:36 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-5955 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 13
|3 November 1968 |21:30 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-1315 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 14
|12 December 1968 |22:22 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-4740 (KH-4A) |{{Success}} | |
| 15
|5 February 1969 |21:59 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-3890 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 16
|19 March 1969 |21:38 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-3722 (KH-4A) |{{Success}} |Launch was a success, but satellite later failed. |
| 17
|2 May 1969 |01:46 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-1101 (KH-4A) |{{Success}} | |
| 18
|24 July 1969 |01:30 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-3654 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 19
|22 September 1969 |21:11 |Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-D |OPS-3531 (KH-4A) |{{Success}} |Last launch of the KH-4A. |
| 20
|4 December 1969 |21:37 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-6617 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 21
|4 March 1970 |22:15 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-0440 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 22
|20 May 1970 |21:35 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-4720 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 23
|23 July 1970 |01:25 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-4324 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 24
|18 November 1970 |21:29 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-4992 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 25
|17 February 1971 |20:04 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-3297 (KH-4B) |{{Failure}} |Improper pre-launch procedure caused frozen lubricant to cause total turbopump failure 18 seconds after launch, leading to booster losing thrust and impacting the ground not far from the pad. |
| 26
|24 March 1971 |21:05 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-5300 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 27
|10 September 1971 |21:33 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-5454 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 28
|19 April 1972 |21:43 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-5640 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} | |
| 29
|25 May 1972 |18:41 |Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-D |OPS-6371 (KH-4B) |{{Success}} |Final flight of the Thorad-Agena, and last Thor launch from SLC-3W. Last flight of the CORONA program. |
== Atlas E/F ==
All launches operated by the United States Air Force.
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!No. !Date !Time (UTC) !Launch vehicle !Configuration !Payload !Result !Remarks |
| 30
|14 July 1974 |05:17 |Atlas E/F / PTS |P73-3 |{{Success}} |First Atlas E/F launch from SLC-3, and first Atlas launch from SLC-3W since 1962. |
|---|
| 31
|13 April 1975 |00:51 |Atlas E/F / Star-17A |P72-2 |{{Failure}} |Explosion in flame trench damaged rocket during launch, leading to sustainer engine failure during ascent. Range safety protocols engaged 303 seconds into flight. |
| 32
|30 April 1976 |19:12 |Atlas E/F / MSD |OPS-6431 (NOSS-1) |{{Success}} | |
| 33
|23 June 1977 |09:16 |Atlas E/F / SGS-1 |NTS-2 |{{Success}} | |
| 34
|8 December 1977 |17:45 |Atlas E/F / MSD |OPS-8781 (NOSS-2) |{{Success}} | |
| 35
|27 June 1978 |01:12 |Atlas E/F / Agena-D |{{Success}} |Satellite designed to observe Earth's oceans through the use of remote sensing. First civilian launch from SLC-3 and SLC-3W. Final flight of the Atlas-Agena. |
| 36
|13 October 1978 |11:23 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |
| 37
|24 February 1979 |08:20 |Atlas E/F / OIS |{{Success}} |Satellite become notable for being destroyed during an anti-satellite test in 1985. |
| 38
|27 June 1979 |15:51 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-A. |
| 39
|3 March 1980 |09:27 |Atlas E/F / MSD |OPS-7245 (NOSS-3) |{{Success}} | |
| 40
|29 May 1980 |10:53 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Failure}} |Part of the TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Loose seal resulted in flooded turbopump and lowered thrust. Sustainer engine compensated by burning longer, but upper stage engine ignited prior to staging, placing satellite in useless orbit. |
| 41
|9 December 1980 |07:18 |Atlas E/F / MSD |{{Failure}} |Lubricant failure caused booster engine failure prior to jettison, flipping rocket 180° and breaking up. |
| 42
|23 June 1981 |10:52 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-C. |
| 43
|21 December 1982 |02:38 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |OPS-9845 (DMSP 5D-2/F6) |{{Success}} | |
| 44
|28 March 1983 |15:52 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-E. |
| 45
|14 July 1983 |10:21 |Atlas E/F / SGS-2 |OPS-9794 (GPS-8) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. First GPS launch from SLC-3W. |
| 46
|18 November 1983 |06:32 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |OPS-1294 (DMSP 5D-2/F7) |{{Success}} | |
| 47
|13 June 1984 |11:37 |Atlas E/F / SGS-2 |USA-1 (GPS-9) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. First satellite to receive a USA designation. |
| 48
|8 September 1984 |21:41 |Atlas E/F / SGS-2 |USA-5 (GPS-10) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 49
|12 December 1984 |10:42 |Atlas E/F / SGS-2 |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-F. |
| 50
|13 March 1985 |02:00 |Atlas E/F / OIS |{{Success}} | |
| 51
|9 October 1985 |02:53 |Atlas E/F / SGS-2 |USA-10 (GPS-11) |{{Success}} |Part of the Global Positioning System. |
| 52
|17 September 1986 |15:52 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-G. |
| 53
|20 June 1987 |02:34 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |USA-26 (DMSP 5D-2/F8) |{{Success}} | |
| 54
|3 February 1988 |05:53 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |USA-29 (DMSP 5D-2/F9) |{{Success}} | |
| 55
|24 September 1988 |10:02 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-H. |
| 56
|11 April 1990 |15:00 |Atlas E/F / Altair |USA-56 to USA-58 (Stacksat/P87-2) |{{Success}} | |
| 57
|1 December 1990 |15:57 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |USA-68 (DMSP F-10) |{{Success}} | |
| 58
|14 May 1991 |15:52 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-D. |
| 59
|28 November 1991 |13:23 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |USA-73 (DMSP F-11) |{{Success}} | |
| 60
|9 August 1993 |10:02 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-I. |
| 61
|29 August 1994 |17:38 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |USA-106 (DMSP F-12) |{{Success}} | |
| 62
|30 December 1994 |10:02 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |{{Success}} |Part of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-J. |
| 63
|24 March 1995 |14:05 |Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS |USA-109 (DMSP F-13) |{{Success}} |Last flight of the Atlas E/F. Most recent launch from SLC-3W. |
Gallery
File:08 002157 SDASM Space Image - First Atlas H (6001) launch (54034636912).jpg|The first Atlas H launching from SLC-3E.
File:SpaceX Falcon vertical on the launch pad.jpg|A Falcon 1 at SLC-3W.
File:VAFB Space Launch Complex-3 East Atlas V 2008-03-12.jpg|The first Atlas V to launch from Vandenberg at SLC-3E in 2008.
See also
- {{Annotated link|Canyon Fire (2016)}}
- {{Annotated link|Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2}}
- {{Annotated link|Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4}}
- {{Annotated link|Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under Napa and Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA:
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1 |id=ca1752 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3 |photos=15 |data=164 |cap=2 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-A |id=ca1867 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Operations Building |photos=120 |cap=11 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-B |id=ca1868 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 East |photos=278 |cap=23 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-C |id=ca1869 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 West |photos=183 |cap=16 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-D |id=ca1870 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Vehicle Support Building |photos=21 |cap=3 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-E |id=ca1871 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Technical Support Building |photos=8 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-F |id=ca1872 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, SLC-3 Air Force Building |photos=4 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-G |id=ca1873 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Meteorological Shed and Tower |photos=5 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-H |id=ca1874 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Traffic Check House |photos=1 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-I |id=ca1875 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Sewage Treatment Plant |photos=1 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-J |id=ca1876 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Entry Control Point |photos=5 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-K |id=ca1877 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Storage Shed |photos=2 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-L |id=ca1878 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Storage Shed |photos=4 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-M |id=ca1879 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Pyrotechnic Shed |photos=6 |cap=1 |link=no}}
- {{HAER |survey=CA-133-1-N |id=ca1880 |title=Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Azimuth Alignment Shed |photos=2 |cap=1 |link=no}}
{{Vandenberg}}
{{Point Arguello launch sites}}{{United Launch Alliance}}{{Atlas rockets}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3}}
Category:Vandenberg Space Force Base
Category:Launch complexes of the United States Space Force
Category:Buildings and structures in Santa Barbara County, California