Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5

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 launch vehicles between 1962 and 1994. Satellites launched from the complex included Transit, OV3, Explorer and P35 (DMSP) spacecraft. Most of the satellites launched from SLC-5 were placed into low Earth orbits, or low medium Earth orbits.

Space Launch Complex 5
A Scout rocket launches Explorer 19 from SLC-5.
Launch siteVandenberg Air Force Base
Location34.6080°N 120.6247°W / 34.6080; -120.6247
Short nameSLC-5
OperatorU.S. Space Force
Launch pad(s)One
Orbital inclination
range		51° – 145°
Launch history
StatusInactive
Launches69
First launch26 April 1962
Scout X-2 / Solrad 4B
Last launch9 May 1994
Scout G-1 / MSTI-2

As of 2009*, the complex is still standing, however the U.S. 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
DateNicknameOp #PayloadNotes
26 April 1962Blue Scout I V-1129201GRAB
23 May 1962Blue Scout II V-1171201DMSP Block-1Failure - 2nd stage exploded
23 August 1962Blue Scout III V-1262201DMSP Block-1
18 December 1962Blue Scout IV V-1215201Transit
19 February 1963Blue Scout V V-1320240DMSP Block-1
5 April 1963Blue Scout VI0804Transit 5A-2
26 April 1963Blue Scout VII1298DMSP Block-1
15 June 1963Blue Scout VIII1292Transit 5A-3
27 September 1963Blue Scout IX1610DMSP Block-1
19 December 1963Blue Scout X2843Explorer 19 / Atmosphere Density Experiment
3 June 1964ARROW PLANT4412Transit 5C-1
25 June 1964CHERRY PIE4926Environmental Sciences Research Satellite (ESRS)Launch failure
25 August 1964HURRY BABY3826Explorer 20 / Ionosphere Explorer
9 October 1964GUS GOOSE6072
21 November 1964IMA BIRD6328
6 December 1965SQUEEKY HUB0542
21 December 1965SOCIAL CIRCLE1509
28 January 1966INVENTORY AID1593
25 March 1966BEST GIRL1117
22 April 1966LABRADOR RETRVR1527
18 May 1966DANCE LESSON0082
4 August 1966RUBBER MAT3140
17 August 1966MARBLE HALL2366
28 October 1966BUSY SERVICE3820
31 January 1967BUSY MASON5589
13 April 1967BUSY MINUTEMAN0100
5 May 1967BUSY WIFE7102
18 May 1967BUSY OCEAN7218
29 May 1967OLD FAD8086
  • As of 19 July 2017, the complex appears to have been demolished, comparing 2009 to 2017 imagery in Google Earth.

References
  • Wade, Mark. "Vandenberg SLC5". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  1. "Base considers disassembling historical launch complex". Spaceflight Now. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
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