Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4

infobox Launch Pad
name = Space Launch Complex 4

---

caption = The last launch from SLC-4, a Titan IV
site = Vandenberg AFB
short = SLC-4
location = 34.632706°N
120.613393°W
operator = US Air Force
tlaunches = 161
pads = 2
inclination = TBC
pad1 = SLC-4W
pad2 = SLC-4E
status = Inactive
launches = 93
first = KH-7-1, 12 July 1963
last = DMSP-5D3, 18 October 2003
rockets = Atlas-Agena
Titan IIIB
Titan II
status2 = Inactive
launches2 = 68
first2 = KH-7-10, 14 August 1964
last2 = KH-11-5, 19 October 2005
rockets2 = Atlas-Agena
Titan IIID
Titan 34D
Titan IV

Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4), was a launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, used by Atlas and Titan rockets between 1963 and 2005. It consisted of two separate launch pads, SLC-4W and SLC-4E, which were formerly designated PALC2-3 and PALC2-4 respectively. Both pads were originally built for use by Atlas-Agena rockets, but were later rebuilt to handle Titan rockets. The designation SLC-4 was applied at the time of the conversion to launch Titans.

Both pads are currently inactive, but are still intact. It has been reported that SpaceX are considering SLC-4 as a possible launch site for the Falcon 9 rocket.cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon/004/080927preview.html|title=SpaceX to launch its fourth Falcon 1 rocket on Sunday|last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=2008-09-27|publisher=Spaceflight Now|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-28]

LC-4W

The first launch to use what is now SLC-4 occurred on 12 July 1963, when an Atlas-Agena D launched the first KH-7 reconnaissance satellite, from PALC2-3. Twelve Atlas-Agenas launches were conducted from PALC2-3, with the last occurring on 12 March 1965. Following this, it was rebuilt as SLC-4W, a Titan launch complex. The first Titan launch from SLC-4W was a Titan IIIB, on 29 July 1966. All 70 Titan IIIB launches occurred from SLC-4W, with the last on 12 February 1987. Subsequent to the retirement of the Titan IIIB, it became a Titan II launch site, and twelve Titan II launches, using the 23G orbital configuration, were launched between 5 September 1988 and 18 October 2003. Following the retirement of the Titan II, SLC-4W was deactivated. 93 rockets were launched from SLC-4W.

SLC-4W was the site of the launch of Clementine, the only spacecraft to be launched from Vandenberg to the Moon, which was launched by a Titan 23G on 25 January 1994.

LC-4E

The first launch from PALC2-4 occurred on 14 August 1964, when a KH-7 satellite was launched by an Atlas-Agena D. After 27 Atlas-Agena launches, the last of which was on 4 June 1967, the complex was deactivated. In 1971, it was reactivated as a Titan IIID launch site, designated SLC-4E, with the first launch occurring on 15 June. 22 Titan IIIDs were launched, until 17 November 1982, when the type was replaced by the Titan 34D. Seven 34Ds were launched between 20 June 1983, and 6 November 1988. On 18 April 1986, a Titan 34D exploded less than nine seconds after launch, showering debris over the launch pad.

The last type to use the complex was the Titan IV, starting on 8 March 1991, with the launch of Lacrosse 2. On 19 October 2005, the last flight of a Titan rocket occurred, when a Titan IVB was launched from SLC-4E, with an Improved Crystal satellite. Following this launch, the complex was deactivated, having been used for 68 launches.

ee also

*Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 19
*Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 20
*Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 40
*Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41

References

*cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/sites/vanslc4w.htm|title=Vandenberg SLC4W|first=Mark|last=Wade|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|accessdate=2008-09-01
*cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/sites/vanslc4e.htm|title=Vandenberg SLC4E|first=Mark|last=Wade|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|accessdate=2008-09-01