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Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force
Base (IATA: VBG, ICAO: KVBG, FAA LID: VBG) is a United States
military installation with a spaceport, in Santa Barbara County,
California, United States. It is also a census-designated place
(CDP) with a population of 6,151 as of the 2000 census. The base
is named in honor of former Air Force Chief of Staff General Hoyt
S. Vandenberg.
Vandenberg is home to the 14th Air Force, 30th Space Wing, 381st
Training Group, and the Western Launch and Test Range (WLTR), and
is responsible for satellite launches for military and commercial
organizations, as well as testing of intercontinental ballistic
missiles, including the Minuteman III ICBMs. Vandenberg is
assuming new roles with the creation of the Joint Functional
Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE).
Part of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Air_Force_Space_Command.png
15 September 1994
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vandenburg_AFB_-_California_-_15_Sep_1994.jpg
30th Space Wing emblem
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:30th_Space_Wing.png
History
The base, nicknamed "VandyLand" by Air Force personnel,
was originally established in 1941 as the US Army's Camp Cooke.
The facility served as a training center for armored and infantry
troops through World War II and again in the Korean War.
The base was transferred to the US Air Force in 1957 and began
its transformation into a space and ballistic missile test
facility. One year later, Cooke Air Force base was renamed in
honor of General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the second chief of staff of
the Air Force, who was an early advocate of space and missile
operations.
Between March 1, 1966 and December 20, 1968, the Air Force also
purchased approximately 15,000 acres from the Sudden Ranch
property, located south of the installation's original boundaries
through the law of eminent domain. This acquisition enlarged the
base to its current 98,000 acres of which only 15% is developed.
Its relatively remote location and proximity to the coast offers
an excellent location to safely conduct test firings of strategic
missile weapon systems (Atlas, Titan I, Titan II, Minuteman
I/II/III and Peacekeepers) as well as launch satellites into
polar orbit without overflying populated areas after liftoff.
On December 16, 1958, Vandenberg AFB launched the first Thor
ballistic missile. Vandenberg boosted the world's first
polar-orbiting satellite, Discoverer 1, aboard a Thor Agena
booster combination on February 28, 1959. (The Discoverer 1
mission was used as a cover for the clandestine CIA Corona
program.) Both launches occurred from Space Launch Complex 10,
which has since been preserved and maintained as an example of a
1950s era launch complex technology. SLC-10 is also classified as
a National Historic Landmark.
Vandenberg is still the only military installation in the United
States that launches unmanned government and commercial
satellites into polar orbit. It is also the only site from which
ICBMs are launched toward the Kwajalein Atoll to verify weapon
system performance.
The base is operated by Air Force Space Command's (AFSPC) 30th
Space Wing.
Space Shuttle
In 1972, Vandenberg was selected as the West Coast Space Shuttle
launch and landing site, but it has never been used as such.
Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6, pronounced as "Slick
Six"), originally built for the abandoned Manned Orbital
Laboratory project, was extensively modified for shuttle
operations. Over $4 billion was spent on the new space shuttle
modifications. The original Mobile Service Tower (MST) was
lowered in height and two new flame ducts were added for the
shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters. Additional modifications or
improvements included liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage
tanks, a payload preparation room, payload changeout room, a new
launch tower with escape system for the shuttle crewmembers,
sound suppression system and water reclamation area and a Shuttle
Assembly Building were added to the original complex.
Additionally, the existing 8,500 foot runway and overruns on the
North Base flightline were lengthened to 15,000 feet to
accommodate end-of-mission landings. Turn-around servicing and
refurbishing of the orbiter would be accomplished in the adjacent
Orbiter Maintenance and Processing Facility (OMPF).
Modification of SLC-6 to support polar missions had been
problematic and expensive. SLC-6 was still being prepared for its
first Shuttle launch, mission STS-62-A targeted for October 15,
1986, when the Challenger disaster grounded the Shuttle fleet and
set in motion a chain of events that finally led to the decision
to cancel all West Coast Shuttle launches.
Had the space shuttle program been successful at SLC-6, the West
Coast operation would have contrasted with that at the Kennedy
Space Center by creating the orbiter stack directly on the launch
pad, rather than assembling it and then moving it. Three movable
buildings on rails, the Launch Tower, Mobile Service Building and
Payload Changeout Room were used to assemble the Shuttle orbiter,
external tank and SRBs. These buildings were designed to protect
the shuttle "stack" from high winds in the area and
were used during a series of "fit tests" utilizing the
space shuttle Enterprise in 1985.
Boeing Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) lifts off from Space Launch Complex
Six (SLC-6) at Vandenberg AFB
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delta4@SLC-6.jpg
Delta IV
Since the demise of the
shuttle program at Vandenberg, SLC-6 has once again been
reconfigured, this time to support polar-orbit satellite launches
by the new Delta IV family of launch vehicles, utilizing a Common
Core Booster for class sizes all the way up to and including the
Delta IV (Heavy) launcher. As it is currently configured, the 132
acre launch site features structures similar to Boeing's Delta IV
SLC-37 launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in
Florida, with a Fixed Umbilical Tower, Mobile Service Tower,
Fixed Pad Erector, Launch Control Center and Operations Building,
and a Horizontal Integration Facility. SLC-6 also features a
Mobile Assembly Shelter that protects the rocket from adverse
weather.
The first of the Delta IV launch vehicles to fly from SLC-6
successfully lifted off at 8:33 p.m. PDT on June 27, 2006 when a
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) rocket lofted NROL-22, a classified
satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, into orbit. The
payload was successfully deployed approximately 54 minutes later.
Thor Agena D with SERT-2 satellite at Space Launch Complex 10 at
Vandenberg AFB
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thorad_Agena_with_SERT-2.jpg
Space and Missile Heritage Center
The Space and Missile
Heritage Center preserves and displays artifacts and memorabilia
to interpret the evolution of missile and spacelift activity at
Vandenberg from the beginning of the Cold War through current
non-classified developments in military, commercial, and
scientific space endeavors.
The initial display area is made up of two exhibits, the
"Chronology of the Cold War" and the "Evolution of
Technology". The exhibits incorporate a combination of
launch complex models, launch consoles, rocket engines, re-entry
vehicles, audiovisual and computer displays as well as hands-on
interaction where appropriate. The Center will evolve in stages
from these initial exhibit areas as restorations of additional
facilities are completed.
The Center is located at Space Launch Complex 10, site of the
first IRBM tests of the Thor and Discoverer (aka Corona spy
satellite) series of launches. It is Vandenberg's only National
Historic Landmark that is open for regularly scheduled tours
through the 30th Space Wing's Public Affairs office.
Mission
Vandenberg's location on
the northern Pacific Ocean makes it possible to easily launch
satellites into polar orbit, unlike the Kennedy Space Center.
This, along with its location relative to the jet stream, makes
Vandenberg a good site to launch reconnaissance satellites.
Vandenberg is also used for the launch of non-military satellites
into polar orbits. The space probe "Clementine" was
also launched there, using a "recycled" Titan II ICBM.
A Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) weather
satellite undergoes a systems checkout prior to transport and
mating to a Titan II at Vandenberg AFB.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DMSP2.jpg
A Boeing Delta II launch from Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) at
Vandenberg AFB
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delta2b.jpg
A LGM-30 Minuteman III takes off from Vandenberg AFB
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Minuteman3launch.jpg
Geography
Vandenberg AFB is
located at 34°43'47.43N, 120°34'31.33W.
Much of the base is rugged, mountainous, and undeveloped;
predominant groundcover includes chaparral with coastal sage
scrub and oak woodland. Because of its protected nature —
none of the backcountry areas are open to the public or to any
kind of development — the base contains some of the highest
quality coastal habitat remaining in southern or central
California and is home to numerous threatened or endangered
species. The western terminus of the Santa Ynez Mountains is on
the base, and is dominated by Tranquillion Peak, which rises
2,297 ft (700 m) above sea level. An optical tracking station is
located at the top of the peak, which overlooks the various space
launch complexes.
Demographics
As of the census of
2000, there were 6,151 people, 1,707 households, and 1,601
families residing in the base. The population density was
278.8/mi2. There were 1,992 housing units at an average density
of 90.3/mi2. The racial makeup of the base was 72.26% White,
11.74% African American, 0.54% Native American, 3.90% Asian,
0.65% Pacific Islander, 4.96% from other races, and 5.95% from
two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.10% of
the population.
There are 1,707 households, out of which 71.8% have children
under the age of 18 living with them, 87.2% were married couples
living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband
present, and 6.2% were non-families. 5.4% of all households were
made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was
65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and
the average family size was 3.44.
In the base, the population was spread out with 38.0% under the
age of 18, 15.2% from 18 to 24, 44.7% from 25 to 44, 1.9% from 45
to 64, and 0.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 109.0 males. For
every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.2 males.
The median income for a household in the base was $39,444, and
the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median
income of $27,352 versus $22,283 for females. The per capita
income for the base was $13,570. About 6.0% of families and 7.1%
of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of
those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Vandenberg supports a population greater than 18,000 composed of
military, family members, government contractors, and civilian
employees.
The majority of the workforce that doesn't live on base resides
in the immediate northern Santa Barbara county communities of
Lompoc, Vandenberg Village, Santa Ynez, Orcutt or Santa Maria. A
small percentage commute from as far south as Santa Barbara and
Isla Vista to as far north as the Five Cities area near San Luis
Obispo, which are all roughly an hour's drive along U.S. Route
101 and State Route 1 to the base's five access gates.
The base's ZIP code is 93437 and its area code 805.
Politics
In the state legislature
Vandenberg AFB is located in the 19th Senate District,
represented by Republican Tony Strickland, and in the 33rd
Assembly District, represented by Republican Sam Blakeslee.
Federally, Vandenberg AFB is located in California's 24th
congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +5 and is
represented by Republican Elton Gallegly.
Launch sites
Space Launch Complex 1, inactive, Thor
Space Launch Complex 2, active, Delta II, previously Thor, Delta
Space Launch Complex 3-East, active, Atlas V, previously Atlas II
and Atlas
Space Launch Complex 3-West, active, Falcon 1, previously Atlas,
Thor
Space Launch Complex 4-East, inactive, Titan IV, Titan III
Space Launch Complex 4-West, inactive, Titan II, Titan IIIB
Space Launch Complex 5, inactive Scout
Space Launch Complex 6, active, Delta IV, previously Athena,
Shuttle (unused), Titan III (unused)
Space Launch Complex 8, active, Minotaur.
Space Launch Complex 10, inactive, Thor ( a National Historic
Landmark)
Space Launch Complex 576-E, active, Taurus (rocket).
Vandenberg Tracking Station
The Vandenberg Tracking
Station is a satellite ground station located at VAFB and
operated by Detachment 1 of the 22d Space Operations Squadron of
the 50th Space Wing. The 35-year old antenna and associated
electronics at the station were recently upgraded in a $60
million modernization effort.
In popular fiction
Vandenberg Air Force Base appears in the 2000 computer role-playing game Deus Ex. Set in the near future of 2052, in the game the Base is occupied by scientists after it was abandoned due to the effects of an earthquake.
This page was last updated July 19, 2009.
