{{Short description|Rocket launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox launch pad |name = Space Launch Complex 10 |image = Thor DSV-2U launch with DMSP-5D-F5 satellite.jpg |caption = A Thor DSV-2U carrying a DMSP weather satellite launches from SLC-10W in 1980. This was the last orbital launch from the complex. |site = Vandenberg Space Force Base |short = SLC-10 |location = {{Coord|34|45|55|N|120|37|20|W}} | utc_offset = −08:00 | time_zone = PST | utc_offset_DST = −07:00 | time_zone_DST = PDT | operator = United States Space Force |tlaunches = 38 |pads = 2 |inclination = 51° – 145° | paddetails = {{Infobox launch pad/pad | designation = SLC-10W | status = Inactive | launches = 32 | first = 14 August 1959 |first_details = PGM-17 Thor | last = 15 July 1980 |last_details = {{nowrap|Thor DSV-2U / DMSP-5D1 F-5}} | rockets = PGM-17 Thor<br/>Thor MG-18<br/>Thor-Burner<br/>Thor DSV-2U }} {{Infobox launch pad/pad | designation = SLC-10E | status = Inactive | launches = 6 | first = 16 June 1959 |first_details = PGM-17 Thor | last = 19 March 1962 |last_details = PGM-17 Thor | rockets = PGM-17 Thor }}{{Infobox NRHP | embed = yes | name = Space Launch Complex 10 | nrhp_type = nhl | location = Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, California | coordinates = {{coord|34|45|55|N|120|37|20|W|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = California#USA | area = | architect = | architecture = | added = June 23, 1986 | designated_nrhp_type = June 23, 1986<ref name="nrhpinv2" /> | refnum = 86003511<ref name="nrhpinv2" /> }} }} {{Vandenberg launch pad map|highlight=3}} '''Space Launch Complex 10''' ('''SLC-10'''), or '''Missile Launch Complex 10''',<ref name= nrhpinv2/> 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.<ref name="dod">[https://archive.today/20121213022206/https://www.denix.osd.mil/portal/page/portal/denix/environment/CR/NRHPNHL/NHLMap/California DOD NHL details for California]</ref> Prior to 1966, '''Space Launch Complex 10W''' ('''SLC-10W''') was known as Vandenberg AFB Pad 75–2–6.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/thorh6.html |title=Thor Burner - Sixth in a Series Reviewing Thor Family History |author=Ed Kyle |date=3 July 2009}}</ref> It remains a rare pristine look at the electronics and facilities created in that era that helped the United States grow its space capabilities.
The last launch from this complex was a Thor booster in 1980.<ref name= nrhpinv2/> It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986.<ref name="nrhpinv2">{{NRHP Focus|86003511}}</ref>
It is undergoing an eight-year restoration, and public visits are possible, if arranged in advance.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070817031738/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/spa.htm NPS History of Aviation]</ref>
==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.<ref name=nrhpinv2/> 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.<ref name=slc10>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/space-launch-complex-10.htm|title=Space Launch Complex 10|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2018-02-13}}</ref>
== Launch history ==
=== SLC-10W === {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | float = center | width = 800 | height = 400 | stack = 1 | group 1 = 1: 0:0:0:0:0: 2:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0 <!-- Thor --> | group 2 = 0: 0:0:0:0:0: 2:3:4:2:1: 2:3:2:1:2: 1:1:0:0:0: 0 <!-- Thor-Burner --> | group 3 = 0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:1:1:1:1: 1 <!-- Thor-DSV --> | colors = Blue : Aquamarine : Cyan | group names = Thor : Thor-Burner : Thor DSV-2U | x legends = : 1960::::: 1965::::: 1970::::: 1975::::: 1980 | y tick marks = 4 | units suffix = _launches }}
=== SLC-10E === {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | float = center | width = 800 | height = 400 | stack = 1 | group 1 = 1: 1:3:1 <!-- Thor --> | colors = Blue | group names = Thor | x legends = 1959: 1960: 1961: 1962 | y tick marks = 3 | units suffix = _launches }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book |last1=Page II|first1=Joseph T. |title=Images of America: Vandenberg Air Force Base |year=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing|oclc=905345173}} * {{cite book |last1=Page II|first1=Joseph T. |title=Space Launch Complex Ten: Vandenberg's Cold War Historic Landmark |year=2016 |publisher=History Press|oclc=952155149}} * [https://archive.org/details/space-launch-complex-ten-brochure United States Air Force. (1998) Space Launch Complex 10: A National Historic Landmark. Brochure.]
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070703230334/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary] *[https://archive.today/20121213022206/https://www.denix.osd.mil/portal/page/portal/denix/environment/CR/NRHPNHL/NHLMap/California DOD NHL details for California] *Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under North End of Aero Road, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA: **{{HAER |survey=CA-296 |id=ca3077 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10 |data=115 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-A |id=ca3078 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Blockhouse |photos=27 |cap=5 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-B |id=ca3079 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Metal Building |photos=2 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-C |id=ca3080 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Office and Administration Building |photos=7 |cap=3 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-D |id=ca3081 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Technical Support Building |photos=9 |cap=3 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-E |id=ca3082 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Hydrogen Peroxide Facility |photos=1 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-F |id=ca3083 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, East Launch Pad |photos=26 |cap=4 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-G |id=ca3084 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Maintenance Support Building |photos=5 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-H |id=ca3085 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, West Launch Pad |photos=61 |cap=7 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-I |id=ca3086 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Construction Storage Building |photos=3 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-J |id=ca3087 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, Power Substation |photos=1 |cap=2 |link=no}} **{{HAER |survey=CA-296-K |id=ca3088 |title=Vandenburg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 10, LE-8 |photos=9 |cap=3 |link=no}}
{{NHLs in CA}} {{National Register of Historic Places}} {{Spaceflight landmarks}} {{Vandenberg Air Force Base launch sites}}
Category:Launch complexes of the United States Space Force Category:Vandenberg Space Force Base Category:Buildings and structures in Santa Barbara County, California Category:Historic American Engineering Record in California Category:National Historic Landmarks in California Category:National Register of Historic Places in Santa Barbara County, California Category:Science and technology in California Category:1958 establishments in California