VAFB Complex 75-2

Overview

Also Known As: See launch complex highlights

Systems

  • Royal Air Force (RAF) Thor
  • Thor Burner I/Altair
  • Thor Burner II
  • Thor Burner IIA
  • Thor Block 5D-1

Other Programs

  • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)

Cost: Not stated

Space Launch Complex 10 Highlights

  • Also known as – Space and Missile Heritage Center
  • 1958 – Built as Thor IRBM launch complex with 3 launch pads
  • Pad 6
    • Also known as – Launch Emplacement 6, LE-6, Complex 75-2-6, 4300 B-6, Space Launch Complex 10 West, SLC-10W
    • 1958 – Built as Thor IRBM launch pad
    • 14 August 1959 – Sole launch of RAF Thor
    • Pad was decommissioned and stripped of equipment after final Thor launch
    • January-March 1962 – Equipment from the dismantled pad was shipped to Johnston Island for Launch Emplacement 1 (LE-1, JI)
    • May 1963 – Equipment from the United Kingdom was shipped to Vandenberg AFB for pads 6 and 7
    • May 1963 – Pad was rebuilt to support Thor Burner
    • October 1963 – Construction complete and pad was named 4300 B-6
    • 1964 – Complex 75-2 reactivated with only two launch pads named SLC-10 West and SLC-10 East
    • 19 January 1965 – First launch, Thor Burner I/Altair
    • 31 March 1966 – Last launch, Thor Burner I/Altair
    • Total Thor Burner I launched – 6
    • 1 April 1967 – Transferred to the 10th Aerospace Defense Group
    • 16 September 1966 – First launch, Thor Burner II
    • 8 June 1971 – Last launch, Thor Burner II
    • Total Thor Burner II launched – 12
    • 14 October 1971 – First launch, Thor Burner IIA
    • 19 February 1976 – Last launch, Thor Burner IIA
    • Total Thor Burner IIA launched – 8
    • 11 September 1971 – First launch, Thor Block 5D-1
    • 1 November 1979 – Strategic Air Command 394th Training Maintenance Squadron took over the pad
    • 15 July 1980 – Last launch, Thor Block 5D-1
    • Total Thor Burner Block 5D-1 launched – 5
    • SLC-10W is deactivated
  • Pad 7
    • Also known as – Launch Emplacement 7, LE-7, Complex 75-2-7, 4300 B-7, Space Launch Complex 10 East, SLC-10E
    • 1958 – Built as Thor IRBM launch pad
    • Configured as a training site
    • 16 June 1959 – First launch, RAF Thor
    • 19 March 1962 – Last launch, RAF Thor
    • Total launches – 6 RAF Thor (5 successful, 1 unsuccessful)
    • Pad was decommissioned and stripped of equipment after final Thor launch
    • January-March 1962 – Equipment from the dismantled pad was shipped to Johnson Island for Launch Emplacement 1 (LE-1, JI)
    • May 1963 – Equipment from the United Kingdom was shipped to Vandenberg AFB for pads 6 and 7
    • SLC-10E is deactivated
  • Pad 8
    • Also known as – Launch Emplacement 8, LE-8, Complex 75-2-8, this pad is not included as part of SLC-10
    • 1958 – Built as Thor IRBM launch pad
    • 16 April 1959 – First launch, RAF Thor
    • 19 June 1962 – Last launch, RAF Thor
    • Total RAF Thor launched – 7
    • Pad 8 is deactivated
  • 1986 – Designated National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service
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