Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 5

Space Launch Complex 5

A Scout rocket launches Explorer 19 from SLC-5.

Launch site

Vandenberg AFB

Location

34°36′29″N 120°37′29″W / 34.6080°N 120.6247°WCoordinates: 34°36′29″N 120°37′29″W / 34.6080°N 120.6247°W

Short name

SLC-5

Operator

US Air Force

Launch pad(s)

One

Min / max
orbital inclination

51° – 145°

Launch history
Status	Inactive
Launches	69
First launch	26 April 1962 Scout X-2 / Solrad 4B
Last launch	9 May 1994 Scout G-1 / MSTI-2

Space Launch Complex 5 (SLC-5) was a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States. It was previously part of the Point Arguello Naval Air Station, during which time it was designated Launch Complex D or LC-D. Constructed in 1961, it was used by 69 Scout rockets between 1962 and 1994. Satellites launched from the complex included Transit, OV3, Explorer and P35 spacecraft. Most of the satellites launched from SLC-5 were placed into low Earth orbits, or low medium Earth orbits.

As of 2009, the complex is still standing, however the US Air Force is considering demolishing it to salvage parts. If the complex is dismantled, there are plans to produce a Historic American Engineering Record of the site, and to preserve the tower.^[1]

SLC-5 launches

Date	Nickname	Op #	Payload	Notes
26 April 1962	Blue Scout I V-112	9201	GRAB
23 May 1962	Blue Scout II V-117	1201	DMSP Block-1	Failure - 2nd stage exploded
23 August 1962	Blue Scout III V-126	2201	DMSP Block-1
18 December 1962	Blue Scout IV V-121	5201	Transit
19 February 1963	Blue Scout V V-132	0240	DMSP Block-1
5 April 1963	Blue Scout VI	0804	Transit 5A-2
26 April 1963	Blue Scout VII	1298	DMSP Block-1
15 June 1963	Blue Scout VIII	1292	Transit 5A-3
27 September 1963	Blue Scout IX	1610	DMSP Block-1
19 December 1963	Blue Scout X	2843	Explorer 19/Atmosphere Density Experiment
3 Jun 1964	ARROW PLANT	4412	Transit 5C-1
25 Jun 1964	CHERRY PIE	4926	Environmental Sciences Research Satellite	Launch failure
25 Aug 1964	HURRY BABY	3826	Explorer 20/Ionosphere Explorer
9 Oct 1964	GUS GOOSE	6072
21 Nov 1964	IMA BIRD	6328
6 Dec 1965	SQUEEKY HUB	0542
21 Dec 1965	SOCIAL CIRCLE	1509
28 Jan 1966	INVENTORY AID	1593
25 Mar 1966	BEST GIRL	1117
22 Apr 1966	LABRADOR RETRVR	1527
18 May 1966	DANCE LESSON	0082
4 Aug 1966	RUBBER MAT	3140
17 Aug 1966	MARBLE HALL	2366
28 Oct 1966	BUSY SERVICE	3820
31 Jan 1967	BUSY MASON	5589
13 Apr 1967	BUSY MINUTEMAN	0100
5 May 1967	BUSY WIFE	7102
18 May 1967	BUSY OCEAN	7218
29 May 1967	OLD FAD	8086

References

Wade, Mark. "Vandenberg SLC5". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2008-09-28.

↑ "Base considers disassembling historical launch complex". Spaceflight Now. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-04-29.

Point Arguello launch sites

LC-A LC-B LC-C LC-D LC-1 LC-2

Vandenberg Air Force Base launch sites

SLC-1 SLC-2 SLC-3 SLC-4 SLC-5 SLC-6 SLC-8 SLC-10

LC-394 LC-395 LC-4300 LC-576 LC-75 ABRES BMRS Bomarc CLF HP-06 LE-6 LE-7 LE-8 LF-02 LF-03 LF-04 LF-05 LF-06 LF-07 LF-08 LF-09 LF-10 LF-21 LF-22 LF-23 LF-24 LF-25 LF-26 OSTF PLC-C SLTF TP-01

Runway 12/30 Point Arguello Warning Area Drop Zone Western Test Range

Scout rockets

Main articles

Rockets

Scout X	Scout X Scout X-1 Scout X-1A Scout X-2 Scout X-2B Scout X-2M Scout X-3 Scout X-3A Scout X-3C Scout X-3M Scout X-4 Scout X-4A Scout X-5C

Blue Scout	Blue Scout Junior Blue Scout I Blue Scout II

Later Series	Scout A Scout A-1 Scout B Scout B-1 Scout D-1 Scout E-1 Scout F-1 Scout G-1 Scout 2 Test Vehicle

Cancelled	Scout A-2 Scout B-2 Scout C Scout 2

Other	RAM-B

Launch sites

Components

Alcyone
Algol
Altair
Antares
Castor
MG-18
NOTS-17

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