Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3

infobox Launch Pad
name = Space Launch Complex 3

---

caption = The first Atlas V to launch from the West Coast at SLC-3E.
site = Vandenberg AFB
short = SLC-3
location = 34.64°N
120.5911°W
operator = US Air Force
tlaunches = 113
pads = 2
inclination = 51° – 145°
pad1 = SLC-3W
pad2 = SLC-3E
status = Inactive
launches = 81
first = Samos 1, 11 October 1960
last = DMSP-5D2 F13, 24 March 1995
rockets = Atlas-Agena
Thorad-Agena
Thor-Agena
Atlas
status2 = Active
launches2 = 32
first2 = Midas 3, 12 July 1961
last2 = Trumpet-5, 13 March 2008
rockets2 = Atlas-Agena
Atlas
Atlas II
Atlas V (current)

Vandenberg Air Force Base's Space Launch Complex 3 (SLC-3) was a launch platform for the Atlas rocket system. SLC-3 consists of two pads, -3 East (E) and -3 West (W), and was built in the early 1960s. Unlike Cape Canaveral, which uses a North-South coastline to make over-ocean launches into standard orbits, the East-West coastline at Vandenberg allows SLC-3 to launch over-ocean polar trajectories that avoid landfall until passing over Antarctica.

Three successful Atlas IIAS missions were flown from SLC-3E. The first mission, flown on 1999-12-18, launched the Terra satellite. [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1999-068A] The other two launched satellites in the Naval Ocean Surveillance System, USA 160 and USA 173. [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2001-040A] [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2003-054A] The final Atlas IIAS mission from SLC-3E was launched on 2003-12-02.

It was reported in 2003 that SLC-3E would be overhauled to serve as a launch platform for the Atlas V rocket after plans to build two Delta IV launch platforms were put on hold.cite web | title=Vandenberg's Atlas Launchpad Getting Extensive Facelift | url=http://www.nishkian.com/Complete/Dean_PDFs/SLC-3E_ARTICLE_12-04-03.pdf | accessmonthday=August 15 | accessyear=2005 ] 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, "is thought to be the biggest over-the-road shipment ever attempted cross-country." [cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2004/LockheedMartinMarksMajorMilestoneAt.html |title=Lockheed Martin Marks Major Milestone At West Coast Atlas V Launch Pad |publisher=Lockheed Martin |date=2004-07-27] In February 2005 the activations team handed over the launch pad to the operational team, marking the end of major reconstruction. [cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2005/LOCKHEEDMARTINDELIVERSFIRSTATLASFIV.html |title=LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS FIRST ATLAS FIVE BOOSTER TO WEST COAST LAUNCH SITE |publisher=Lockheed Martin |date=2005-02-11] The first Atlas V launch took place at 10:02 GMT on 2008-03-13. [cite web |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iREy1ROPlY2e5lcvGv7971nK0s2gD8VCHE800 |title=Rocket Lifts Off With Secret Satellite |publisher=AP]

References