Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2

Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) is an inactive rocket launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, USA. It consists of two launch pads. The East pad (SLC-2E) was used for Delta, Thor-Agena and Thorad launches between 1966 and 1972 and has been demolished. The West pad (SLC-2W) was used for Delta, Thor-Agena and Delta II launches from 1966 until 2018, when the Delta II performed its last flight.

Space Launch Complex 2
Delta II at SLC-2W, with Gravity Probe B
Launch siteVandenberg AFB
Location34.7545°N
120.6198°W
Short nameSLC-2
OperatorUS Air Force
Total launchesTBC
Launch pad(s)2
Orbital inclination
range
51° – 145°
SLC-2W launch history
StatusInactive pending upgrades
Launches 
First launch17 September 1959
PGM-17 Thor
Last launch15 September 2018
Delta II / ICESat-2
Associated
rockets
PGM-17 Thor
Thor-Agena
Delta
Delta II
Firefly Alpha (future)
SLC-2E launch history
StatusInactive
Launches52
First launch16 December 1958
PGM-17 Thor
Last launch12 March 1972
Delta N / TD-1A
Associated
rockets
PGM-17 Thor
Delta
Thor-Agena
Thorad-Agena

SLC-2W is being repurposed to launch Firefly Alpha for Firefly Aerospace, with a first launch expected in early 2020.

Space Launch Complex 2 was originally part of Launch Complex 75. When this complex was split up in 1966, the first launch to be made from the newly redesignated Space Launch Complex 2 was that of a Delta E with ESSA-3 on 2 October 1966 from SLC-2E. The first launch from SLC-2W after redesignation was of a Thor-Agena with OPS 1584 on 29 December 1966.

SLC-2E and SLC-2W are located approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) apart.


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