Space Shuttle Launch Pad in California

Beeker

Some great photos here from 1985 when Space Shuttle Enterprise was used to test the new California Shuttle launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch pad was called SLC-6 {Shuttle Launch Complex 6} or "Slick 6". The idea was to launch the Shuttle on mainly military flights into polar orbits. The plan was abandoned after the 1986 Challenger disaster. A real shame as it would have made for some spectacular launchs from the US west coast.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/status.html



The first flight was due to be STS-62A with orbiter Discovery in the summer of 1986.

Tenger

The guy 2nd from the left in the front row is called Mike Mullane. He wrote a great book called "Riding Rockets" about the early years of the shuttle program.

He stated that they designed special lightweight booster rockets for the Vandenburg launches. These launche would be able to do polar orbits for milsat payloads over USSR. 2 of his classmates died in Challenger and he was due up shortly after that from California. The inquest into Challenger faulted the booster O-Rings so the new lighter (meaning thinner) boosters were scrapped.

Would really recommend the book. He does not consider the STS 'fully operational', it is too early to have a 'mature' system.

Beeker

Tenger wrote: »

The guy 2nd from the left in the front row is called Mike Mullane. He wrote a great book called "Riding Rockets" about the early years of the shuttle program.

He stated that they designed special lightweight booster rockets for the Vandenburg launches. These launche would be able to do polar orbits for milsat payloads over USSR. 2 of his classmates died in Challenger and he was due up shortly after that from California. The inquest into Challenger faulted the booster O-Rings so the new lighter (meaning thinner) boosters were scrapped.

Would really recommend the book. He does not consider the STS 'fully operational', it is too early to have a 'mature' system.

It's a great read, I bought it some years back! He was very fond of Juidth Resnik who died on Challenger. They flew together on STS-41D Discovery in 1984. As it happens the very first flight of Discovery and the first Shuttle launch I was at:)

lord lucan

Only reading about this last week(still wading through 'Space Shuttle - The History of the Space Transportation System!). Would've been interesting to see launches from the US west coast alright though how many we'd have really 'seen' is another thing.

NoQuarter

Thats one hell of a collection of haircuts!

Beeker

NoQuarter wrote: »

Thats one hell of a collection of haircuts!

Ahhhh the 80's:D

thecornflake

Has a very James Bond "Moonraker" feel to it all.