Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3

Last updated

Space Launch Complex 3
SLC-3 Service Tower Rolls Back for InSight.jpg
The mobile launcher platform at SLC-3E rolls back prior to the launch of InSight in May 2018
Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3
Launch site Vandenberg Space Force Base
Location 34°38′35″N120°35′19″W / 34.6429885°N 120.5885124°W / 34.6429885; -120.5885124
Time zone UTC−08:00 (PST)
 Summer (DST)
UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Short nameSLC-3
Operator United States Space Force (owner)
United Launch Alliance (tenant)
Total launches111
Launch pad(s)2
Orbital inclination
range
51° – 145°
SLC-3W (PALC-1-1) launch history
StatusDemolished
Launches63
First launchOctober 11, 1960
Atlas-Agena / Samos 1
Last launchMarch 24, 1995
Atlas-E/F / USA-109
Associated
rockets
SLC-3E (PALC-1-2) launch history
StatusUndergoing renovation
Launches48
First launchJuly 12, 1961
Atlas-Agena / Midas 3
Last launchNovember 10, 2022
Atlas V / JPSS-2 and LOFTID
Associated
rockets
Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3
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7km
4.3miles
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15
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11
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10
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9
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  Active pads
  Active pads not used for launches
  Inactive leased pads
  Inactive unleased pads
1
SLC-1E
2
SLC-1W
3
SLC-2E
4
SLC-2W
5
SLC-10E
6
SLC-10W
7
LC-576E
8
SLC-9
9
SLC-3E
10
SLC-3W
11
SLC-4E
12
SLC-4W (LZ-4)
13
SLC-5
14
SLC-6
15
SLC-8
16
SLC-7
17
SLC-11
18
SLC-12
19
SLC-14
20
SLC-15

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. [1]

Contents

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. [2]

SLC-3E was the launch site of the Mars lander InSight in May 2018. [3]

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. [4] The other two launched satellites in the Naval Ocean Surveillance System, USA 160 and USA 173. [5] [6] The final Atlas IIAS mission from SLC-3E was launched on December 2, 2003. [7]

It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the Atlas V. [8] 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 30 ft (9.1 m) to a height of 239 ft (73 m) to accommodate an Atlas V 500 series vehicle with its larger payload fairing. [9] 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, 3,500 miles (5,600 km) away. The largest segment weighed 90 tons and was "thought to be the biggest over-the-road shipment ever attempted cross-country." [10] In February 2005, the activation team handed over the launch pad to the operational team, marking the end of major reconstruction. [11] The first Atlas V launch from SLC-3E took place at 10:02 GMT on March 13, 2008. [12]

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. [13] The final Atlas V launch from the pad took place on November 10, 2022, carrying the JPSS-2 satellite. [14] The first flight of Vulcan from SLC-3E was anticipated to be in 2023, [15] but Vulcan has been delayed and the first flight from SLC-3E is now expected in 2025. [16] As of December 2024 Conversion work to support Vulcan Centaur is ongoing and completion is expected in 2025. [17]

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. [18]

Launch Statistics

SLC-3E

1
2
3
4
1961
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025

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.

No.DateTime (UTC)Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
112 July 196115:11 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-A MIDAS 3 SuccessFirst launch from PALC-1-2.
221 October 196113:53 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B MIDAS 4 Partial failureRoll control failed 186 seconds following launch, placing satellite in an incorrect orbit.
322 December 196119:12 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 5 Partial failureSustainer engine cutoff failed, leading to Atlas burn to continue until fuel depletion, placing satellite in higher than expected orbit.
47 March 196222:10 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 6 Success
59 April 196215:04 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B MIDAS 5 Partial failureRocket underwent improper pitch program, placing payload in incorrect orbit.
617 December 196220:36 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B MIDAS 6 FailureHydraulic heat shield failed at liftoff, leading to loss of booster engine hydraulic fluid. Range safety protocols engaged 80 seconds after launch.
79 May 196320:06 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B MIDAS 7 Success
812 June 1963Unknown Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B MIDAS 8 Success
919 July 196303:51 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B MIDAS 9 Success
109 June 196620:15 Atlas-Agena Atlas SLV-3 /Agena-D MIDAS 10 Partial failureFirst launch as SLC-3 and as SLC-3E. First Atlas SLV launch from the complex. Agena engine relight failed, placing satellite in incorrect orbit.
1119 August 196619:30 Atlas-Agena Atlas SLV-3 /Agena-D MIDAS 11 Success
125 October 196622:00 Atlas-Agena Atlas SLV-3 /Agena-D MIDAS 12 Success
1321 December 196622:15 Atlas SLV-3 Atlas SLV-3 PRIME SuccessSuborbital launch. First of three test flights of the X-23 PRIME.
145 March 196723:05 Atlas SLV-3 Atlas SLV-3 PRIME SuccessSuborbital launch. Second of three test flights of the X-23 PRIME.
1520 April 196701:35 Atlas SLV-3 Atlas SLV-3 PRIME SuccessSuborbital launch. Third of three test flights of the X-23 PRIME.
1616 August 196820:57 Atlas-Burner Atlas SLV-3 /Burner 2 STP P68-1 FailureMaiden flight of the Atlas-Burner and only flight from SLC-3E. Payload fairings failed to separate, leading to failure to reach orbit.
1722 February 197823:44 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVSOPS-5111 (GPS-1)SuccessFirst Atlas E/F flight from SLC-3E. First launch of the Global Positioning System.
1813 May 197810:34 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVSOPS-5112 (GPS-2)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
197 October 197800:28 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVSOPS-5113 (GPS-3)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
2011 December 197803:59 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVSOPS-5114 (GPS-4)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
219 February 198023:08 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVSOPS-5117 (GPS-5)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
2226 April 198022:00 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVSOPS-5118 (GPS-6)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
2319 December 198101:10 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SVS GPS-7 FailurePart 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.
249 February 198313:47 Atlas H Atlas H / MSDOPS-0252 (NOSS-5)SuccessMaiden flight of the Atlas H.
259 June 198323:23 Atlas H Atlas H / MSDOPS-6432 (NOSS-6)Success
265 February 198418:44 Atlas H Atlas H / MSDOPS-8737 (NOSS-7)Success
279 February 198610:06 Atlas H Atlas H / MSDUSA-15 to USA-18 (NOSS-8)Success
2815 May 198715:45 Atlas H Atlas H / MSDUSA-22 to USA-25 (NOSS-9)SuccessLast 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.

No.DateTime (UTC)Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
2918 December 199918:57 Atlas II Atlas IIAS Terra SuccessPart 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.
308 September 200115:25 Atlas II Atlas IIAS NROL-13 Success NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-160. First launch from SLC-3E acknowledged by the National Reconnaissance Office.
312 December 200310:04 Atlas II Atlas IIAS NROL-18 Success NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-173. Last Atlas II flight from Vandenberg.
3213 March 200810:02 Atlas V Atlas V 411 NROL-28 Success NRO launch. Trumpet satellite, also known as USA-200. First Atlas V flight from Vandenberg.
3318 October 200916:12 Atlas V Atlas V 401USA-210 (DMSP 5D3-F18)Success
3421 September 201004:03 Atlas V Atlas V 501 NROL-41 Success NRO launch. Topaz satellite, also known as USA-215. First launch of the Atlas V 500 configuration from SLC-3E.
3515 April 201104:24 Atlas V Atlas V 411 NROL-34 Success NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-229.
3613 September 201221:39 Atlas V Atlas V 401 NROL-36 Success NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-238.
3711 February 201318:02 Atlas V Atlas V 401 Landsat 8 SuccessPart of the Landsat program, aimed at providing research-oriented photographs of Earth. First civilian Atlas V launch from Vandenberg.
386 December 201307:04 Atlas V Atlas V 501 NROL-39 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.
393 April 201414:46 Atlas V Atlas V 401USA-249 (DMSP-5D3 F19)SuccessFinal launch of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.
4013 August 201418:30 Atlas V Atlas V 401 WorldView-3 SuccessFirst commercial launch from SLC-3E.
4113 December 201403:19 Atlas V Atlas V 541 NROL-35 Success NRO launch. Trumpet satellite, also known as USA-259.
428 October 201512:49 Atlas V Atlas V 401 NROL-55 Success NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-264.
4311 November 201618:30 Atlas V Atlas V 401 WorldView-4 Success
441 March 201717:49 Atlas V Atlas V 401 NROL-79 Success NRO launch. Two Intruder satellites, sharing the designation USA-274.
4524 September 201705:49 Atlas V Atlas V 541 NROL-42 Success NRO launch. Trumpet satellite, also known as USA-278. Last flight of the Atlas V 500 configuration from SLC-3E.
465 May 201811:05 Atlas V Atlas V 401 InSight and Mars Cube One SuccessPart 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.
4727 September 202118:12 Atlas V Atlas V 401 Landsat 9 SuccessPart of the Landsat program, aimed at providing research-oriented photographs of Earth.
4810 November 202209:49 Atlas V Atlas V 401 NOAA-21 and LOFTID SuccessPart 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

1
2
3
4
5
6
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985

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.

No.DateTime (UTC)Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
111 October 196020:33 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-A Samos 1 FailureFirst 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.
231 January 196120:21 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 2 SuccessFirst successful launch from PALC-1.
39 September 196119:28 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 3 FailureImproper umbilical disconnect led to loss of power in launch vehicle, causing it to fall and crash back onto pad.
422 November 196120:45 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 4 FailurePitch control failed 244 seconds into flight. While Agena succeeded in staging, it was facing the wrong direction and failed to achieve orbit.
526 April 196218:56 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 7 Success
617 June 196218:14 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 8 Success
718 July 196220:15 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 9 Success
85 August 196217:59 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 10 Success
911 November 196220:17 Atlas-Agena Atlas LV-3 / Agena-B Samos 11 Success
1020 September 196621:14 Thor-Agena TAT SLV-2A / Agena-DOPS-1703 (KH-4A)SuccessFirst launch as SLC-3W. First Thor launch and only Thor-Agena launch from the pad.
111 May 196821:31 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-1419 (KH-4B)SuccessFirst Thorad-Agena launch from SLC-3W.
127 August 196821:36 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-5955 (KH-4B)Success
133 November 196821:30 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-1315 (KH-4B)Success
1412 December 196822:22 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-4740 (KH-4A)Success
155 February 196921:59 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-3890 (KH-4B)Success
1619 March 196921:38 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-3722 (KH-4A)SuccessLaunch was a success, but satellite later failed.
172 May 196901:46 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-1101 (KH-4A)Success
1824 July 196901:30 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-3654 (KH-4B)Success
1922 September 196921:11 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2G / Agena-DOPS-3531 (KH-4A)SuccessLast launch of the KH-4A.
204 December 196921:37 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-6617 (KH-4B)Success
214 March 197022:15 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-0440 (KH-4B)Success
2220 May 197021:35 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-4720 (KH-4B)Success
2323 July 197001:25 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-4324 (KH-4B)Success
2418 November 197021:29 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-4992 (KH-4B)Success
2517 February 197120:04 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-3297 (KH-4B)FailureImproper 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.
2624 March 197121:05 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-5300 (KH-4B)Success
2710 September 197121:33 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-5454 (KH-4B)Success
2819 April 197221:43 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-5640 (KH-4B)Success
2925 May 197218:41 Thorad-Agena Thorad SLV-2H / Agena-DOPS-6371 (KH-4B)SuccessFinal 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.

No.DateTime (UTC)Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
3014 July 197405:17 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / PTS NTS-1 SuccessFirst Atlas E/F launch from SLC-3, and first Atlas launch from SLC-3W since 1962.
3113 April 197500:51 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-17A P72-2FailureExplosion in flame trench damaged rocket during launch, leading to sustainer engine failure during ascent. Range safety protocols engaged 303 seconds into flight.
3230 April 197619:12 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / MSDOPS-6431 (NOSS-1)Success
3323 June 197709:16 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SGS-1 NTS-2 Success
348 December 197717:45 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / MSDOPS-8781 (NOSS-2)Success
3527 June 197801:12 Atlas-Agena Atlas E/F / Agena-D Seasat SuccessSatellite 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.
3613 October 197811:23 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS TIROS-N SuccessPart of the TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA.
3724 February 197908:20 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / OIS Solwind SuccessSatellite become notable for being destroyed during an anti-satellite test in 1985.
3827 June 197915:51 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-6 SuccessPart of the TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-A.
393 March 198009:27 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / MSDOPS-7245 (NOSS-3)Success
4029 May 198010:53 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-B FailurePart 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.
419 December 198007:18 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / MSD NOSS-4 FailureLubricant failure caused booster engine failure prior to jettison, flipping rocket 180° and breaking up.
4223 June 198110:52 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-7 SuccessPart of the TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-C.
4321 December 198202:38 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS OPS-9845 (DMSP 5D-2/F6)Success
4428 March 198315:52 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-8 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-E.
4514 July 198310:21 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SGS-2OPS-9794 (GPS-8)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System. First GPS launch from SLC-3W.
4618 November 198306:32 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS OPS-1294 (DMSP 5D-2/F7)Success
4713 June 198411:37 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SGS-2USA-1 (GPS-9)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System. First satellite to receive a USA designation.
488 September 198421:41 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SGS-2USA-5 (GPS-10)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
4912 December 198410:42 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SGS-2 NOAA-9 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-F.
5013 March 198502:00 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / OIS Geosat Success
519 October 198502:53 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / SGS-2USA-10 (GPS-11)SuccessPart of the Global Positioning System.
5217 September 198615:52 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-10 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-G.
5320 June 198702:34 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS USA-26 (DMSP 5D-2/F8)Success
543 February 198805:53 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS USA-29 (DMSP 5D-2/F9)Success
5524 September 198810:02 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-11 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-H.
5611 April 199015:00 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Altair USA-56 to USA-58 (Stacksat/P87-2)Success
571 December 199015:57 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS USA-68 (DMSP F-10)Success
5814 May 199115:52 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-12 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-D.
5928 November 199113:23 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS USA-73 (DMSP F-11)Success
609 August 199310:02 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-13 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-I.
6129 August 199417:38 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS USA-106 (DMSP F-12)Success
6230 December 199410:02 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS NOAA-14 SuccessPart of the Advanced TIROS-N series of weather satellites for NOAA. Launched as NOAA-J.
6324 March 199514:05 Atlas E/F Atlas E/F / Star-37S-ISS USA-109 (DMSP F-13)SuccessLast flight of the Atlas E/F. Most recent launch from SLC-3W.

See also

References

  1. Ray, Justin (January 20, 2000). "Vandenberg launch pad demolition set for Sunday". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  2. "Launch Sites". NASA Human Spaceflight Office. Archived from the original on October 13, 1999.
  3. Clark, Stephen (December 19, 2013). "Mars lander to launch from California on Atlas 5 in 2016". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  4. NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
  5. NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
  6. NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details. NASA.
  7. "ILS Successfully Launches Atlas IIAS with NRO Payload". International Launch Services. December 2, 2003. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  8. Justin Ray (December 4, 2003). "Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift".
  9. "Lockheed Martin Begins Atlas V West Coast Launch Pad Renovations SLC 3E Being Readied for Atlas V Missions in Fall 2005". LM. January 14, 2004. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011.
  10. "Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad". PR Newswire. July 27, 2004.
  11. "Lockheed Martin Delivers First Atlas Five Booster to West Coast Launch Site". Lockheed Martin. February 11, 2005. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011.
  12. "ULA Inaugural Atlas V West Coast Launch a Success". ULA. Associated Press. March 13, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  13. Clark, Stephen. "ULA selects launch pads for new Vulcan rocket – Spaceflight Now" . Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  14. Gebhardt, Chris (November 9, 2022). "Atlas rocket bids farewell to California as ULA readies for Vulcan". NASASpaceFlight . Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  15. Gebhardt, Chris (August 21, 2020). "ULA updates Vulcan status, readiness for certification missions". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  16. Erwin, Sandra (June 8, 2023). "Space Force assigns 12 national security missions to SpaceX and ULA". SpaceNews. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  17. "West Coast Vulcan Construction Update". ULA. December 3, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  18. Federal Register /Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, December 19, 2008 / Proposed Rules, page 77579.