Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 2
Encyclopedia
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 pad
s. 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 2000 feet (609.6 m) apart.http://www.fas.org/spp/military/facility/vafb-slc-2.htm
Rocket launch
A rocket launch is the takeoff phase of the flight of a rocket. Launches for orbital spaceflights, or launches into interplanetary space, are usually from a fixed location on the ground, but may also be from a floating platform such as the San Marco platform, or the Sea Launch launch...
site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It consists of two launch pad
Launch pad
A launch pad is the area and facilities where rockets or spacecraft lift off. A spaceport can contain one or many launch pads. A typical launch pad consists of the service and umbilical structures. The service structure provides an access platform to inspect the launch vehicle prior to launch....
s. The East pad (SLC-2E), which has been demolished, was used for Delta, Thor-Agena
Thor-Agena
Thor-Agena was a series of orbital launch vehicles. The rockets used Thor first stages and Agena second stages. They are thus cousins of the more famous Thor-Deltas, which founded the Delta rocket family. The first attempted launch of a Thor-Agena was in January 1959...
and Thorad
Thorad-Agena
The Thorad-Agena was an American expendable launch system, derived from the Thor and Delta rockets. The first stage of the rocket was the stretched variant of the Thor which had been developed for the Delta programme. The second stage was the Agena-D, which had already been used in conjunction with...
launches between 1966 and 1972. The West pad, SLC-2W, has been used for Delta, Thor-Agena
Thor-Agena
Thor-Agena was a series of orbital launch vehicles. The rockets used Thor first stages and Agena second stages. They are thus cousins of the more famous Thor-Deltas, which founded the Delta rocket family. The first attempted launch of a Thor-Agena was in January 1959...
, and Delta II
Delta II
Delta II was an American space launch system, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas. Delta II is part of the Delta rocket family and was in service from 1989 until November 1, 2011...
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
Delta E
The Delta E, or Thor-Delta E was an American expendable launch system used for twenty-three orbital launches between 1965 and 1971. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets....
with ESSA-3 on 2 October 1966 from SLC-2E. The first launch from SLC-2W after redesignation was of a Thor-Agena
Thor-Agena
Thor-Agena was a series of orbital launch vehicles. The rockets used Thor first stages and Agena second stages. They are thus cousins of the more famous Thor-Deltas, which founded the Delta rocket family. The first attempted launch of a Thor-Agena was in January 1959...
with OPS 1584 on 29 December 1966.
SLC-2E and SLC-2W are located approximately 2000 feet (609.6 m) apart.http://www.fas.org/spp/military/facility/vafb-slc-2.htm