Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) is an active rocket launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base, in California, USA. It consists of two launch pads. The East pad (SLC-2E, originally LC 75-1-1) was used for Delta, Thor-Agena and Thorad launches between 1966 and 1972 and has been demolished. The West pad (SLC-2W, originally LC 75-1-2) was used for Delta, Thor-Agena and Delta II launches from 1966 until 2018, when the Delta II performed its last flight.
Delta II at SLC-2W, with Gravity Probe B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch site | Vandenberg SFB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 34.7545°N 120.6198°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short name | SLC-2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | US Space Force | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total launches | 151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch pad(s) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orbital inclination range | 51° – 145° | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SLC-2W has been repurposed to launch Firefly Alpha for Firefly Aerospace. During the demolition process, a fire broke out on October 15, 2020, inside the Delta II mobile service tower. The maiden flight of Firefly Alpha took place on September 3, 2021 and resulted in a flight failure. The second flight on 1 October 2022 was successful in reaching orbit.
Space Launch Complex 2 was originally part of Launch Complex 75 (LC 75) and was known by designation LC 75-1 or just 75-1 (and the launch pads were designated LC 75-1-1 and LC 75-1-2). The first launch out of the newly designated Space Launch Complex 2 was that of a Delta E with ESSA-3 on 2 October 1966 from SLC-2E.
SLC-2E and SLC-2W are located approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) apart.