This is a list of the active and inactive Space Launch Complexes (SLC) and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Facilities (LF) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
| Complex | Status | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Space Launch Complex 2E and 2W (SLC-2E and SLC-2W) | Active Firefly Alpha[1] | (SLC-2E December 1958 – March 1972) (SLC-2W September 1959 – present) The launch sites were built in 1958 for the never activated 75th Strategic Missile Squadron PGM-17 Thor IRBM missile launches and were used by SAC for training RAF personnel in operations and launching of the missile. SLC-2E was 75-1-1, SLC-2W was 75-1-2. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Used for Thor-DM18A, Thor Able-Star, Thor-Agena for USAF satellite launches. SLC-2E inactivated in 1972, last launch was a Thor-Delta 1A carrying a navigation satellite for European Space Agency (ESA). Landsat 1-7 Earth land resources satellites launched from SLC-2W, Global Positioning System (GPS) and many communications satellites. First Thor-Delta launch in 1959, Delta I in 1969, Delta II 6925 in 1990.[2] |
| Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) | Active Falcon 9 | (August 1964 – present) Built in 1964 as Atlas-Agena D pad for launch of KH-7 Gambit reconnaissance satellites. First designated PALC2-4. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Redeveloped from 1967 to 1971 for Titan IIID KH-9 Hexagon and KH-11 Kennen reconnaissance satellites; Titan 34D in 1983. Rebuilt between 1988 and 1991 for Titan IV. Inactivated in 2005 with end of Titan IV program. Reactivation started in 2011 for use by SpaceX with a kick off ceremony on 14 July 2011.[3] Launches began on 29 September 2013 with the Falcon 9 v1.1 CASSIOPE mission. This was also the inaugural flight of the Falcon 9 v1.1. |
| Space Launch Complex 4-West (SLC-4W) Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) | Active Falcon 9 recovery | (July 1963 – October 2003, February 2015 – present) Built in 1963 as Atlas-Agena D pad for launch of KH-7 reconnaissance satellites. First designated PALC2-3. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Rebuilt between 1965 and 1966 for Titan IIIB with various military payloads. Began launching Titan 23/24B (Titan III core rocket) and later Titan 34B from 1971 to 1987. Modified to accommodate former LGM-25C Titan II ICBMs for space launch vehicles (Titan IIG), in 1988. Inactivated in 2003 with last Titan IIG expended, 93 launches. In 2015, SpaceX renovated the launch site to serve as a landing site for recovery operations of the Falcon 9 first stage. |
| Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) | Active Minotaur | (January 2000 – present) SLC-8 is known as the "California Spaceport". The facilities are operated by Spaceport Systems International and used for launches of various versions of the Minotaur launch vehicle family. |
| Launch Complex 576-E | Active Taurus | (January 1962 – December 1964; February 1998 – present) LC 576-E is used by Orbital Sciences Commercial Taurus launches and for USAF OBV Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches. Initially a 576th SMS SM-65F Atlas. Served as an Operational Suitability Test facility before being inactivated in 1964. Reactivated in 1988 for use by Orbital Sciences.[4] |
| Site | Uses |
|---|---|
| Space Launch Complex 1E/W (SLC-1E and SLC-1W) | (SLC-1E June 1959 – September 1968) (SLC-1W January 1959 – December 1971) Both sites were built in 1958 for the never activated 75th Strategic Missile Squadron for Thor-Agena A launches. SLC-1E was 75-3-5, SLC-1W was 75-3-4. Both were upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Inactivated with phaseout of Thor-Agena. SLC-1E inactivated in 1968, 45 Launches; SLC-1W inactivated in 1971, 56 launches. |
| Space Launch Complex 3 East (SLC-3E) | (July 1961 – November 2022) Previously used for Atlas II (1999–2003); Atlas-H (1983–1987); Atlas-F/G, Atlas-Agena since 1961. Originally an Atlas test facility, designated PALC1-2, then LC1-2, and finally upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Used for Atlas V launches from March 2008 to November 2022.[5] Undergoing modification in preparation for future use as Vulcan Centaur launch site.[6] [7] |
| Space Launch Complex 3-West (SLC-3W) | (October 1960 – March 1995) Activated in 1960. First designated LC1-1 and used to launch Atlas-Agena B with Samos payloads. When Samos was cancelled, rebuilt in 1963 for Corona reconnaissance satellites atop Thor-Agena. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Used for later Thor-Agena and Delta I launches in the 1960s and early 1970s. Refurbished in 1973 to accommodate surplus Atlas ICBMs in space launch role. Inactivated in 1995 with last Atlas E launch of a weather satellite. SLC-3W's tower was demolished on 22 January 2000. SpaceX briefly used SLC-3W in 2005 during the early development of the Falcon 1.[8] [9] |
| Space Launch Complex 5 (SLC-5) | (April 1962 – May 1994) Dedicated Scout rocket launch pad from 1962 to 1994. 69 launches. |
| Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) | (August 1995 – September 2022) SLC-6 was built as a Space Launch Complex (SLC) between 1966 and 1969 for Titan III, Gemini-B Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) flight. After the program was canceled, the pad sat unused for 10 years. It was then upgraded between 1979 and 1989 for Space Shuttle polar orbit launches before being mothballed again due to the Challenger accident and many unresolved technical issues. It was considered for a second Titan launch facility, but was not selected. Supported Athena 1 and 2 launch vehicles (1995–1999). Delta IV launches began in June 2006 for commercial and military payloads going into polar orbits. Vacated by ULA following final Delta IV launch from SLC-6 in September 2022.[10] On 24 April 2023 it was leased to SpaceX for its Falcon 9 launches from the West Coast.[11] First Falcon launch planned for mid-2025.[12] |
| Space Launch Complex 10E/W (SLC-10E (former LE-7) and SLC-10W) | (SLC-10E June 1959 – 1961) (LE-7 1961 – March 1962) (SLC-10W August 1959 – July 1980) Space and Missile Heritage Center SLC-10E (launch pad 75-2-7) and SLC-10W (75-2-6) activated as a Thor-Delta (DM-18A) pads in 1959. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1961. From 1961 to March 1962, SLC-10E was known as LE-7 (Launch Emplacement 7). It was inactivated in March 1962. SLC-10W continued launch operations with various configurations of the Thor-Delta until the phaseout of the vehicle in 1980. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986, SLC-10 is the best surviving example of a launch complex built in the 1950s at the beginning of the American effort to explore space. It is home to the Space and Missile Heritage Center, which is open by appointment through the Base Public Affairs office for public tours. |
| Site | Uses |
|---|---|
| LF-03 (former 394-A2) | 394-A2 (April – December 1963), LF-03 (January 1964 – present) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II; Minotaur II testing. Originally a Minuteman 394th SMS silo, first launch in April 1963. Upgraded for use as a Launch Facility in 1964, used for Minuteman testing until July 2001. Currently modified to launch the Minotaur. 97 launches. |
| LF-04 (former 394-A3) | 394-A3 (September 1962 – December 1963), LF-04 (January 1964 – present) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III testing; first launch in September 1962. |
| LCC-01 (former LF-10) | LGM-30G Minuteman III, first launch in July 1987. Currently two Launch Control Centers: LCC 01-A on the left, and LCC 01-B on the right. |
| LF-09 | LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III testing; first launch in June 1964, Inactivated in 2006, Minuteman III launch on 26 September 2013.[13] |
| LF-10 (former LF-22) | LGM-30 Minuteman I/II testing; first launch in October 1965, Inactivated in 1975, Minuteman III launch on 22 September 2013.[14] |
| LF-21 | LGM-30 Minuteman I/II, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) testing; first launch in August 1965. |
| LF-23 | LGM-30F Minuteman II. One Minuteman launch, on 26 August 1966. Since 2003, it has been used for Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches. |
| LF-24 | LGM-30F Minuteman II testing; first launch in December 1965. Mothballed in 1971. |
| TP-01 | LGM-118 Peacekeeper, MGM-134 Midgetman SICBM (Small Intercontinental Ballistic Missile); first launch in June 1983. It is also a candidate site for Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches. |
| Site | Uses | |
|---|---|---|
| 395-A1, 395-A2, 395-A3 | 395 Alpha 1 (September 1961 – December 1964) 395 Alpha 2 (March 1963 – March 1965) 395 Alpha 3 (January 1962 – January 1965) HGM-25A Titan I, 3 operational alert sites. First Titan I launch on 3 May 1961, last on 14 January 1965. Primarily used for research and development launches.[15] | |
| 395-B | LGM-25C Titan II, This was a test and training facility, between 1964 and 1969.[16] | |
| 395-C | LGM-25C Titan II, This was a test and training facility and was the site of the first Titan II launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Most usage pre-1969. | |
| 395-D | LGM-25C Titan II, This was a test and training facility, between 1963 and 1969. | |
| Site A – 576 Alpha 1, 576 Alpha 2, 576 Alpha 3 | 576 Alpha 1 (October 1962 – September 1974) 576 Alpha 2 (September 1959 – August 1971) 576 Alpha 3 (January 1960 – October 1989) SM-65D Atlas These above-ground sites, with open support towers, were the first to be used for Atlas D. | |
| Site B – 576 Baker 1, 576 Baker 2, 576 Baker 3 | 576 Baker 1 (July 1960 – June 1966) 576 Baker 2 (April 1960 – November 1967) 576 Baker 3 (September 1960 – October 1967) SM-65D Atlas, Site 1 was active from 22 July 1960 to 10 June 1966. Site 2 was active from 19 June 1959 to 7 November 1967. Site 3 was active from 12 September 1960 to 21 January 1965, then was used for the space program from 27 May 1965 to 11 October 1967.[17] As of 2016, satellite images showed these sites to have been demolished. | |
| Site C – 576 Charlie | SM-65E Atlas, built 1963. The Atlas E site was unique because it was constructed above ground, not semi-buried. Three Atlas demonstration and shakedown operations launches occurred July – September 1963 after which the site was inactivated. | |
| Site D – 576 Delta | SM-65F Atlas, Built 1963, inactivated 1964. 2 Atlas demonstration and shakedown operations launches occurred March – August 1963 and the site was then inactivated. | |
| Site F – 576 Foxtrot (also known as OSTF-1) | SM-65E Atlas, Operational Suitability Test Facility for Atlas E missiles. 10 Atlas research and development launches occurred between June 1961 and August 1964 and the site was then inactivated. | |
| Site G – 576 Golf (also known as OSTF-2) | SM-65F Atlas, Operational Suitability Test Facility for Atlas F missiles. Seven Atlas research and development launches occurred August 1962 – January 1965 and the site was then inactivated. | |
| BOM1, BOM2 | Used for CIM-10 Bomarc interceptors. Two Bomarc launchers with a third support building between the two shelters. United States Navy personnel at Vandenberg launched the missiles strictly as targets with the first launch taking place on 25 August 1966. The last two launches for a Navy test program occurred on 14 July 1982. BOM1 49 launches; BOM2 38 launches. | |
| HP-06 | BGM-109 Tomahawk Ground Launched Cruise Missile Used for one launch of a BGM-109 GCLM on 22 October 1985. | |
| OSTF-8 | HGM-25A Titan I, Operational Suitability Test Facility. An elevator failure led to the destruction of this site on 3 December 1960. | |
| 68-SLTF | LGM-25C Titan II, Silo Launch Test Facility for Titan II. Launched a Titan I on 3 May 1961. The facility was first built as a design and construction test for a mission-firing silo. Later, it became the Titan II Operations and Maintenance Missile Trainer (QMT). | |
| LC-A | formerly Launch Complex A, Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello (PALC-A). Used for Blue Scout Jr; Nike Javelin; Honest John; Black Brant; Astrobee 1500, Nike Asp; Seagull, and Dac Roc sounding rockets from 1959 to 1966.[18] | |
| LC-B | formerly Launch Complex B, Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello (PALC-B). Used for Nike Viper I; Terrier Asp IV, Kiva/Hope; Deacon Arrow II; Nike Cajun, and Astrobee 1500 sounding rockets from 1960 to 1963. | |
| LF-02 (former 394-A1) | 394-A1 (April – December 1963), LF-02 (January 1964 – July 2004) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III; LGM-118 Peacekeeper testing. Originally a Minuteman 394th SMS silo, first launch in April 1963. Upgraded for use as a launch facility in 1964. Used for Minuteman until July 1975. Modified for Peacekeeper use in 1986. Used for LGM-118 until July 2004. 76 launches. | |
| LF-05 (former 394-A4) | 394-A4 (September 1962 – December 1963), LF-05 (February 1964 – March 2000) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III; LGM-118 Peacekeeper testing; first launch December 1962. Last Minuteman launch October 1976. Modified for use by Peacekeeper in 1989, first LGM-118 launch March 1990. Last launch March 2000. | |
| LF-06 (former 394-A5) | 394-A5 (July – December 1963), LF-06 (February 1964 – August 2007) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III. First launch April 1963. Last launch August 2007. LF-06 is also a candidate site for Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches. | |
| LF-07 (former 394-A6) | 394-A6 (May – November 1963), LF-07 (January 1964 – November 1987) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II testing; first launch May 1963, last Launch November 1987. | |
| LF-08 (former 394-A7) | 394-A7 (September 1963), LF-08 (August 1964–1994) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III; LGM-118 Peacekeeper testing. First launch September 1963. Last Minuteman launch in January 1984. Modified for Peacekeeper use in 1986. Used for LGM-118 until June 1991. Converted for Astrid use in 1994. Silo has been filled half way with cement and is now a Minuteman III maintenance training facility for Tech School. | |
| LF-25 | Minuteman II/III testing; first launch in February 1966, inactivated in 1976. | |
| LF-26 | Minuteman II/III testing; first launch in January 1966, inactivated in 2006. | |
| LE-07 | PGM-17 Thor Used by Royal Air Force (RAF) for 2 test launches: 6 September 1961 and 19 March 1962. Inactivated afterwards. | |
| LE-08 (former 75-2-8) | Used by: Thor-Delta. First launch 16 April 1959, last launch 19 June 1962. Originally a Thor 75 SMS PGM-17 Thor IRBM pad 75-2-8. Used by RAF for launch training. Number of launches 7. Upgraded for use as a launch emplacement in 1961, inactivated in June 1962 after 2 RAF test launches. | |
| PLC-C | Probe Launch Complex C, used for Aerobee-170 and TE-416 Tomahawk sounding rockets. |