Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 10

Space Launch Complex 10 (SLC-10), or Missile Launch Complex 10,^[1] is located on Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California. It was built in 1958 to test ballistic missiles and developed into a space launching facility in 1963.^[2] Prior to 1966, Space Launch Complex 10W (SLC-10W) was known as Vandenberg AFB Pad 75-2-6.^[3] It remains a rare pristine look at the electronics and facilities created in that era that helped the United States grow its space capabilities.

Space Launch Complex 10

A Thor DSV-2U carrying a DMSP weather satellite launches from SLC-10W in 1980. This was the last orbital launch from the complex.
Launch site	Vandenberg Space Force Base
Location	34°45′55″N 120°37′20″W
Time zone	UTC−08:00 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Short name	SLC-10
Operator	United States Space Force
Total launches	38
Launch pad(s)	2
Orbital inclination range	51° – 145°
SLC-10W launch history Status Inactive Launches 32 First launch 14 August 1959 PGM-17 Thor Last launch 15 July 1980 Thor DSV-2U / DMSP-5D1 F-5 Associated rockets PGM-17 Thor Thor MG-18 Thor-Burner Thor DSV-2U SLC-10E launch history Status Inactive Launches 6 First launch 16 June 1959 PGM-17 Thor Last launch 19 March 1962 PGM-17 Thor Associated rockets PGM-17 Thor
Space Launch Complex 10
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
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Location	Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, California
Coordinates	34°45′55″N 120°37′20″W
NRHP reference No.	86003511[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 23, 1986
Designated NHL	June 23, 1986[1]

Launch sites at Vandenberg Space Force Base

7km
4.3miles

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

   

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  Active pads

  Active pads not used for launches

  Inactive leased pads

  Inactive unleased pads

1

SLC-1E

2

SLC-1W

3

SLC-2E

4

SLC-2W

5

SLC-10E

6

SLC-10W

7

LC-576E

8

SLC-9

9

SLC-3E

10

SLC-3W

11

SLC-4E

12

SLC-4W (LZ-4)

13

SLC-5

14

SLC-6

15

SLC-8

16

SLC-7

17

SLC-11

18

SLC-12

19

SLC-14

20

SLC-15

The last launch from this complex was a Thor booster in 1980.^[1] It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986.^[1]

It is undergoing an eight-year restoration, and public visits are possible, if arranged in advance.^[4]

History

The launch complex was built in 1958 by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation, and was first designated Complex 75-2. At that time it consisted of three launch pads, which were used to train military operators of PGM-17 Thor ballistic missiles, and to conduct missile launch tests. The first launches were conducted by the British Royal Air Force in June and August 1959.^[1] The facilities at SLC-10 were dismantled and transported to Johnston Island in support of Operation Dominic, a nuclear weapons testing project conducted there in 1962.

The launch complex was rebuilt in 1963 to support the development of Burner rockets, with two launch pads, designated SLC-10E and SLC-10W. Tests were conducted at SLC-10W from 1965 to 1980, using the Thor satellite launch vehicles, the first stages of which followed the design of the Thor missile.

Surviving elements

Two launch pads and a prefabricated launch blockhouse are the principal surviving elements of the complex. The blockhouse interior still includes all of the electrical equipment used in later launches. SLC-10W also includes pipes and storage facilities for storing and managing the liquid fuel used in the rockets.^[5]

Launch History

SLC-10W

1

2

3

4

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

•   Thor
•   Thor-Burner
•   Thor DSV-2U

SLC-10E

1

2

3

1959

1960

1961

1962