![]() Significant launch programs that have occurred from Vandenberg since 1958 include the Nike, Scout, Peacekeeper, Atlas, Minotaur, Titan, Thor, Thor/Agena, Thrust Augmented Thor, Thor/Delta, BOMARC, Delta II, Delta IV, Minuteman, Pegasus, Scout, and Falcon 9. Four months later, LANDSAT 9 launched on 27 September 2021 from Space Launch Complex 3E, making it the 2,000th launch from Vandenberg. On, Vandenberg Air Force Base was renamed to Vandenberg Space Force Base. The world’s first commercial spaceport became operational at Vandenberg on 19 September 1996 at Space Launch Complex-8. The first Global Positioning Satellite launched from Space Launch Complex-3E on 22 February 1978. Soon after, the first Atlas missile launched from Vandenberg AFB on 9 September 1959 at launch facility 576 A-2. On 28 February 1959, the first two-stage Thor/Agena missile lifted the world’s first polar earth orbiting satellite, the Discoverer 1 from Space Launch Complex-1 West. The first missile launch from Vandenberg AFB was a Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile launched on 16 December 1958 from Space Launch Complex-2 East. Vandenberg, the second Chief of Staff of the U.S. On 4 October 1958, Cooke AFB was redesignated as Vandenberg AFB in honor of the late General Hoyt S. On 7 June 1957, Camp Cooke was renamed Cooke AFB. Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) retained responsibility for the Vandenberg launch facility construction, as well as concurrently conduct research and development of launch vehicles. land based strategic deterrent missile force, as well as conducting training for missile launch crews. On 1 January 1958, Strategic Air Command (SAC) assumed responsibility for attaining the initial operational capability of the U.S. In response to the Sputnik launch, the United States Air Force accelerated the development of the space and missile program that was in its infancy. Russia launched the first man-made satellite, Sputnik into low earth orbit on 4 October 1957, which started the “Space Race” between the United States and Russia. The requirement for the United States to construct a launch facility on the West coast derived from the need to match and overcome Russia’s space launch capabilities during the Cold War. The unique geographic location of Vandenberg makes this major range and test facility base a safe and ideal setting to test land based strategic deterrent assets, and to safely place satellite payloads into polar earth orbit. ![]() Air Force and was soon transformed into the nation’s West Coast space and missile facility that is now Vandenberg SFB. In 1957, the installation property was transferred to the recently established U.S. The installation was used for Army tank, infantry, and artillery training during World War II, and again during the Korean War. Vandenberg was originally established as the Camp Cooke U.S. The installation provides a safe location for the testing of new and existing Department of Defense sanctioned programs, government and commercial launch and range services, as well as offers future space lift and land based mission capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy. Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB) contains 99,604 acres of land, operates approximately 16 launch facilities and complexes, and maintains the second largest airfield runway in the Department of Defense, which is 15,000 feet long. The History and Heritage of Vandenberg Space Force Base Additionally, Space Launch Delta 30 provides safe launch and range capabilities as the only military installation on the West Coast of the continental United States to fulfill commercial and government customer requirements. Personnel assigned to Space Launch Delta 30 support Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force Development Evaluation programs. Personnel assigned to Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg SFB manage Department of Defense space and missile testing, range operations, and provides the installation infrastructure necessary to place satellites into polar orbit using both expendable and reusable space lift boosters. Space Launch Delta 30 provides host installation services for Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB). The Brick red, White, and Victory Medal blue elements are used to incorporate the national colors of the United States. The two launch vehicles emanating from the globe represent the Launch and Test mission. The star Polaris represents the core values that guide the execution of the mission. Midnight Blue and Victory Medal Blue combine to represent the vast recesses of outer space, an expression of the possibilities. ![]() The prominent Gold border represents Space Systems Command, the organization that Headquarters Space Launch Delta 30 is assigned.
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