List of Vandenberg Air Force Base launch facilities

This is a list of the active and inactive Space Launch Complexes (SLC) and Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Facilities (LF) at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Active launch sites

Site	Status	Uses
Space Launch Complex 2E/W (SLC 2E and SLC 2W)	Active Currently being prepared for Firefly Alpha[1]	34°45′05″N 120°37′09″W (SLC 2E Dec 1958 – Mar 1972) 34°45′19″N 120°37′20″W (SLC 2W Sep 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. 2E launch pad 75-1-1, 2W launch pad 75-1-2. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Used for Thor-DM18A, Thor Able-Star, Thor-Agena USAF satellite launches. SLC 2E inactivated in 1972, last launch a Thor Delta 1A carrying a navigation satellite for European Space Agency. Landsat 1-7 American earth land resources satellites launched from SLC 2W, Global Positioning System and many communications satellites. First Thor-Delta launch 1959, Delta I, 1969, Delta II 6925 in 1990.[2]
Space Launch Complex 3-East (SLC 3E)	Active Atlas V	34°38′25″N 120°35′23″W (Jul 1961 – present) SLC 3E is currently used for Atlas V launches since 13 March 2008. 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.[2]
Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC 4E)	Active Falcon 9	34°37′55″N 120°36′36″W (Aug 1964 – present) Built in 1964 as Atlas-Agena D pad for launch of KH-7 reconnaissance satellites. First designated PALC2-4. Upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Redeveloped from 1967–1971 for Titan IIID KH-9 and KH-11 reconnaissance satellites; Titan 34D in 1983. Rebuilt 1988–1991 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 July 14, 2011.[3] Launches began on September 29, 2013 with the Falcon 9 v1.1 CASSIOPE mission. This was also the inaugural flight of the Falcon 9 v1.1.
Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC 6)	Active Delta IV	34°34′52″N 120°37′39″W (Aug 1995 – present) SLC 6 was built as a Space Launch Complex (SLC) between 1966 and 1969 for Titan III Gemini-B Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) flights. 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 this was dropped in 1991. Supported Athena 1 and 2 launch vehicles (1995–99). Delta IV launches began in June 2006 for commercial and military payloads going into polar orbits.[2]
Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC 8)	Active Minotaur	34°34′34″N 120°37′56″W (Jan 2000 – present) SLC8 is known as the "California Spaceport". The facilities are operated by Spaceport Systems International and used for launches of various versions of the Minotaur rocket family.[2]
Launch Complex 576-E	Active Taurus	34°44′22″N 120°37′08″W (Jan 1962 – Dec 1964; Feb 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 1964. Reactivated in 1988 for use by Orbital Sciences.[4] Also used by USAF OBV American anti-ballistic missile. Suborbital booster for the US Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system's EKV ballistic missile kill vehicle.[2][5]

Inactive launch sites

Space Launch Complex 1E/W (SLC 1E and SLC 1W)	Inactive	34°45′22″N 120°37′35″W (SLC 1E Jun 1959 – Sep 1968) 34°45′26″N 120°37′50″W (SLC 1W Jan 1959 – Dec 1971) Both sites were built in 1958 for the never activated 75th Strategic Missile Squadron for Thor Agena A launches. SLC-1E launch pad 75-3-5, SLC-1W launch pad 75-3-4. Both were upgraded to a Space Launch Complex (SLC) in 1966. Inactivated with phaseout of Thor-Agena. SLC-1E inactivated 1968, 45 Launches; SLC-1W inactivated in 1971, 56 launches.[2]
Space Launch Complex 3-West (SLC 3W)	Inactive	34°38′37″N 120°35′34″W (Oct 1960 – Mar 1995) Activated in 1960. First designated LC1-1 and used to launch Atlas Agena B with Samos payloads. After Samos cancellation, rebuilt in 1963 to support launch of KH-4 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 22 January 2000 with no immediate plans for re-use except for speculation regarding the Atlas V under development.[2] SpaceX briefly used SLC-3W in 2005 during the early development of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle.[6][7]
Space Launch Complex 4-West (SLC 4W)	Inactive	34°37′59″N 120°36′56″W (July 1963 – Oct 2003) 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 1965–1966 for Titan IIIB with various military payloads. Began launching Titan 23/24B (Titan III core rocket) and later Titan 34B from 1971–1987. Modified to accommodate former LGM-25C Titan II ICBMs for space launch vehicles (Titan IIG), 1988. Inactivated in 2003 with last Titan IIG expended. 93 Launches[2] SpaceX constructed a landing zone, LZ-4, for its Falcon 9 first stages.
Space Launch Complex 5 (SLC 5)	Inactive	34°36′28″N 120°37′27″W (Apr 1962 – May 1994) Dedicated Scout rocket launch pad, used during the life of that vehicle from 1962 to 1994. 69 launches.[2]
Space Launch Complex 10E/W (SLC 10E (former LE-7) and SLC 10W)	Inactive	34°45′45″N 120°37′17″W (SLC 10E Jun 1959 – 1961) (LE-7 1961 – Mar 1962) 34°45′49″N 120°37′29″W (SLC 10W Aug 1959 – Jul 1980) 34°45′51″N 120°37′22″W 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 Mar 1962, SLC-10E was known as LE-7 (Launch Emplacement 7). It was inactivated in Mar 1962. 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.[2]
Active ICBM testing sites
LF-03 (former 394-A2)	Active	34°50′46″N 120°34′52″W 394-A2 (Apr–Dec 1963), LF-03 (Jan 1964 – present) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II; Minotaur II testing. Originally a Minuteman 394th SMS silo, first launch 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.[2]
LF-04 (former 394-A3)	Active	34°51′32″N 120°36′24″W 394-A3 (Sep 1962 – Dec 1963), LF-04 (Jan 1964 – present) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III testing; first launch, September 1962.[2]
LCC-01 (former LF-10)	Active	34°51′39″N 120°35′00″W LGM-30G Minuteman III, first launch July 1987. This is now a pair of Launch Control Centers with LCC 01-A on the left, and LCC 01-B on the right.[2]
LF-09	Active	34°52′43″N 120°38′01″W LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III testing; first launch June 1964, Inactivated 2006,[2] Minuteman III launch September 26, 2013[8]
LF-10 (former LF-22)	Active	34°51′02″N 120°35′38″W LGM-30 Minuteman I/II testing; first launch October 1965, Inactivated 1975,[2] Minuteman III launch September 22, 2013[9]
LF-21	Active	34°51′39″N 120°35′44″W LGM-30 Minuteman I/II, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) testing; first launch August 1965.[2]
LF-23	Active	34°51′20″N 120°35′49″W LGM-30F Minuteman II. Surprisingly, only one Minuteman launch, on 26 August 1966. Since 2003 it has been used for Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches.[2]
LF-24	Active	34°51′24″N 120°36′08″W LGM-30F Minuteman II testing; first launch December 1965. Mothballed 1971. LF-24 is currently being refurbished as a backup for Pad LF-23 missile defense launches.[2]
TP-01	Active	34°48′15″N 120°35′20″W LGM-118 Peacekeeper, MGM-134 Midgetman SICBM (Small Intercontinental Ballistic Missile); first launch June 1983. It is also ia candidate site for Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches.[2]

Inactive ICBM testing sites

395-A1, 395-A2, 395-A3	Inactive	34°48′23″N 120°32′39″W 395 Alpha 1 (Sep 1961 – Dec 1964) 34°48′19″N 120°32′42″W 395 Alpha 2 (Mar 1963 – Mar 1965) 34°48′23″N 120°32′42″W 395 Alpha 3 (Jan 1962 – Jan 1965) HGM-25A Titan I, 3 operational alert sites. First Titan I launch 3 May 1961, last 14 January 1965. Primarily used for research and development launches.[2][10]
395-B	Inactive	34°46′57″N 120°36′25″W LGM-25C Titan II, This was a test and training facility, (1964–69)[2][11]
395-C	Inactive	34°44′02″N 120°35′47″W LGM-25C Titan II, This was a test and training facility and was the site of the first Titan II launch at Vandenberg AFB. In December 1969, complexes B and D were deactivated and complex C was mothballed, but was occasionally used for more Titan II launches (1963–76).[2][11]
395-D	Inactive	34°42′27″N 120°35′22″W LGM-25C Titan II, This was a test and training facility, (1963–69)[2][11]
Site A – 576 Alpha 1, 576 Alpha 2, 576 Alpha 3	Inactive	34°46′36″N 120°36′06″W 576 Alpha 1 (Oct 1962 – Sep 1974) 34°46′51″N 120°36′00″W 576 Alpha 2 (Sep 1959 – Aug 1971) 34°46′39″N 120°35′48″W 576 Alpha 3 (Jan 1960 – Oct 1989) SM-65D Atlas The very first Atlas D operational ICBM sites, these were above ground with open support towers. These missiles were on alert from 31 October 1959 until 1 May 1964. After going off alert in 1964, Alpha 1 and 2 were used by the USAF for Atlas satellite rocket launches until 1974; Alpha 3 was used by the American Rocket Corporation until 1989, developing a new rocket motor utilizing a solid fuel and liquid oxygen that was throttlable and restartable.[5] Noted on image that 576 Alpha 3 still has a launch gantry tower.
Site B – 576 Baker 1, 576 Baker 2, 576 Baker 3	Inactive	34°47′36″N 120°35′41″W 576 Baker 1 (Jul 1960 – Jun 1966) 34°47′27″N 120°35′30″W 576 Baker 2 (Apr 1960 – Nov 1967) 34°47′23″N 120°35′45″W 576 Baker 3 (Sep 1960 – Oct 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.[2][5]
Site C – 576 Charlie	Inactive	34°48′32″N 120°35′01″W SM-65E Atlas, built 1963. The Atlas E would normally be semi-buried, but at Vandenberg it was constructed above ground for testing but otherwise resembled a normal site in most other respects. Three Atlas demonstration and shakedown operations launches occurred July – September 1963 after which the site was inactivated.[2][5]
Site D – 576 Delta	Inactive	34°49′14″N 120°33′25″W SM-65F Atlas, Built 1963, inactivated 1964. Atlas F Operational Suitability Test facility, the second for the Atlas ICBM perhaps because of significant differences with the earlier Atlas missiles. 2 Atlas demonstration and shakedown operations launches occurred March – August 1963 and the site was then inactivated.[2][5]
Site F – 576 Foxtrot (also known as OSTF-1)	Inactive	34°47′46″N 120°35′20″W SM-65E Atlas, Operational Suitability Test Facility for Atlas E missiles. 10 Atlas research and development launches occurred June 1961 – August 1964 and the site was then inactivated.[2][5]
Site G – 576 Golf (also known as OSTF-2)	Inactive	34°49′21″N 120°33′37″W 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.[2][5]
BOM1, BOM2	Inactive	34°48′02″N 120°35′57″W 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.[2]
HP-06	Inactive	34°48′13″N 120°36′02″W BGM-109 Tomahawk Ground Launched Cruise Missile Used for one launch of a BGM-109 GCLM on 22 October 1985.[2]
OSTF-8	Inactive	34°48′15″N 120°32′46″W HGM-25A Titan I, Operational Suitability Test Facility. This site was destroyed on 3 December 1960 when the elevator failed while lowering a fully fueled missile back into the silo.[2][10]
68-SLTF	Inactive	34°48′25″N 120°32′57″W LGM-25C Titan II, Silo Launch Test Facility for Titan II. Launched a Titan I on 3 May 1961. The facility was only intended to prove the design of a silo that could fire a missile and to try out construction methods. It later it became the Titan II Operations and Maintenance Missile Trainer (QMT).[2][11]
LC-A	Inactive	34°39′50″N 120°36′08″W 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.[12]
LC-B	Inactive	34°39′26″N 120°36′16″W 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.[12]
LF-02 (former 394-A1)	Inactive	34°50′41″N 120°35′05″W 394-A1 (Apr–Dec 1963), LF-02 (Jan 1964 – Jul 2004) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III; LGM-118 Peacekeeper testing. Originally a Minuteman 394th SMS silo, first launch 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.[2]
LF-05 (former 394-A4)	Inactive	34°51′44″N 120°36′34″W 394-A4 (Sep 1962 – Dec 1963), LF-05 (Feb 1964 – Mar 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.[2]
LF-06 (former 394-A5)	Inactive	34°52′58″N 120°38′09″W 394-A5 (Jul–Dec 1963), LF-06 (Feb 1964 – Aug 2007) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III. First launch April 1963. Last launch Aug 2007. LF-06 is also a candidate site for Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) launches.[2]
LF-07 (former 394-A6)	Inactive	34°53′09″N 120°38′01″W 394-A6 (May–Nov 1963), LF-07 (Jan 1964 – Nov 1987) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II testing; first launch May 1963, last Launch November 1987.[2]
LF-08 (former 394-A7)	Inactive	34°51′02″N 120°35′54″W 394-A7 (Sep 1963), LF-08 (Aug 1964–1994) LGM-30 Minuteman I/II/III; LGM-118 Peacekeeper testing. First launch September 1963. Last Minuteman Launch Jan 1984. Modified for Peacekeeper use in 1986. Used for LGM-118 until Jun 1991. Converted for Astrid use (a test vehicle to demonstrate laser-pumped propulsion in 1994). Silo has been filled half way with cement and is now a Minuteman III maintenance training facility for Tech School. [2]
LF-25	Inactive	34°52′56″N 120°37′47″W Minuteman II/III testing; first launch February 1966, inactivated 1976.[2]
LF-26	Inactive	34°53′18″N 120°38′12″W Minuteman II/III testing; first launch January 1966, inactivated 2006.[2]
LE-07	Inactive	34°46′01″N 120°37′06″W PGM-17 Thor Used by Royal Air Force (RAF) for 2 test launches: 6 September 1961 and 19 March 1962. Inactivated afterwards.[2]
LE-08 (former 75-2-8)	Inactive	34°45′54″N 120°36′58″W Used by: 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.[2]
PLC-C	Inactive	34°36′34″N 120°37′42″W Probe Launch Complex C, used for Aerobee-170 and TE-416 Tomahawk sounding rockets.

References

1. "Firefly Aerospace to take over Vandenberg Delta 2 pad". Firefly Aerospace. Retrieved 2019-12-14.
2. "Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch sites". Asuwlink.uwyo.edu. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
3. Scully, Janene. "Ceremony kicks off new era at Vandenberg". Santamariatimes.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
4. NASA.GOV - 2009 Highlights Orbiting Carbon Observatory(OCO) satellite.
5. "Atlas Missile Silo Coordinates". Techbastard.com. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
6. NASASpaceFlight.com Forum > General Space Flight (Atlas, Delta, ESA, Russian, Chinese) > Commercial Launchers (Space X, Sea Launch, etc.) > Topic: Elon Musk Q&A – Updates SpaceX status on Falcon and Dragon > Reply #2554
7. Federal Register /Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, 19 December 2008 / Proposed Rules, page 77579.
8. "Vandenberg Launches Another Minuteman III Test Missile". Vandenberg Air Force Base, United States Air Force. September 26, 2013. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
9. "Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg". Vandenberg Air Force Base, United States Air Force. September 24, 2013. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
10. "Titan I Missile Silo Coordinates". Techbastard.com. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
11. "Titan II Missile Silo Coordinates". Techbastard.com. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
12. Missiles and Rockets Vol 5, Sept - Dec 1959. Internet Archive. American Aviation. 1959.CS1 maint: others (link)