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{{Short description|Rocket launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States}}
{{Infobox Launch Pad▼
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
▲{{Infobox Launchlaunch Padpad
|name = Space Launch Complex 10
|image = Thor DSV-2U launch with DMSP-5D-F5 satellite.jpg
|caption = A [[Thor DSV-2U]] carrying a [[Defense Meteorological Satellite Program|DMSP]] weather satellite launches from SLC-10W in 1980. This was the last orbital launch from the complex.
|site = [[Vandenberg AFBSpace Force Base]]
|short = SLC-10
|location = {{Coord|34°|45'|55"|N<br>|120°|37'|20"|W}}
| utc_offset = −08:00
|operator = [[US Air Force]]<br>[[Royal Air Force]]
| time_zone = [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset_DST = −07:00
| time_zone_DST = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| architectoperator = [[United States AirSpace Force]]▼
|tlaunches = 38
|pads = 2
|inclination = 51° – 145°
| paddetails = {{Infobox launch pad/Pad pad
| designation = SLC-10W
| status = Inactive
Line 17 ⟶ 23:
| 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/Padpad
| designation = SLC-10E
| status = Inactive
Line 24 ⟶ 30:
| last = 19 March 1962 |last_details = [[PGM-17 Thor]]
| rockets = [[PGM-17 Thor]]
}}{{Infobox NRHP| embed=yes
| embed = yes
| name = Space Launch Complex 10
| nrhp_type = nhl
| location = [[Vandenberg AirSpace Force Base]], [[Lompoc, California]]
| lat_degrees = 34
| coordinates = {{coord|34|45|55|N|120|37|20|W|display=inline,title}}
| lat_minutes = 45
| locmapin = California#USA▼
| lat_seconds = 55
| area =
| lat_direction = N
| architect =
| long_degrees = 120
| architecture= =▼
| long_minutes = 37
| added = June 23, 1986▼
| long_seconds = 20
| designated_nrhp_type = June 23, 1986<ref name="nrhpinv2" />
| long_direction = W
| refnum = 86003511<ref name="nrhpinv2" />
▲ | locmapin = California
| area =
▲ | architect= [[United States Air Force]]
▲ | architecture=
▲ | added = June 23, 1986
| designated_nrhp_type = June 23, 1986<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1966&ResourceType=Structure
|title=Space Launch Complex 10 |accessdate=2007-11-18|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
| governing_body = [[United States Air Force]]
| refnum=86003511<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
}} }}
'''Space Launch Complex 10''', or '''Missile Launch Complex 10''',<ref name= nrhpinv2/> is located on [[Vandenberg AirSpace 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 10 West 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=7/3/ July 2009}}</ref> It remains a rare pristine look at the electronics and facilities created in that era whichthat helped the [[United States]] grow theirits 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>[http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/spa.htm NPS History of Aviation]</ref>▼
It was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1986.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{Cite document|title={{PDFlink|[http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/86003511.pdf National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Space Launch Complex 10 / Missile Launch Complex 10]|540&nbsp;KB}}|date=January 3, 1986 |author=Captain Mark C. Mondl |publisher=National Park Service|postscript=<!--None-->}} and {{PDFlink|[http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/86003511.pdf ''Accompanying 5 photos, exterior and interior, undated.'']|601&nbsp;KB}}</ref>
 
==History==
▲It is undergoing an eight-year restoration and public visits are possible, if arranged in advance.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/spa.htm NPS History of Aviation]</ref>
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 equipmentlaunch complex was returnedrebuilt toin Vandenberg1963 to support earlythe launchesdevelopment of the [[DefenseBurner Meteorological(rocket Satellite Programstage)|Burner]] rockets, whichwith two launch pads, designated SLC-10E and SLC-10W. Tests were conducted at SLC-10W from 1965 to 1980, using the [[Thor (rocket)|Thor satellite launch vehicles]], the first stages of which followed the design of the Thor missile.▼
== Uses ==
 
===Surviving RAF =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>
SLC-10 was used to train military operators of [[PGM-17 Thor]] ballistic missiles, and to conduct missile launch tests. Seven launch attempts were conducted from SLC-10E by British Armed Forces [[Royal Air Force]] crews, of which six were successful. (There was also one PGM-17 Thor missile launch by an RAF crew from SLC-10W, which took place 1959-08-14.<ref name= nrhpinv2/)
 
=== Johnston Island ===
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.
 
=== DMSP ===
▲The equipment was returned to Vandenberg to support early launches of the [[Defense Meteorological Satellite Program]], which were conducted at SLC-10W from 1965 to 1980, using the [[Thor (rocket)|Thor satellite launch vehicles]], the first stages of which followed the design of the Thor missile.
 
==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==
*[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}}
 
{{RegisteredNational Register of Historic Places}}
{{Spaceflight landmarks}}
{{Vandenberg Air Force Base launch sites}}
 
[[Category:Launch complexes of the United States Space Force]]
[[deCategory:Vandenberg AFB Space Launch ComplexForce 10Base]]▼
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Santa Barbara County, California]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in California]]
[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in California]]
[[Category:BuildingsNational andRegister structuresof Historic Places in Santa Barbara County, California]]
[[Category:VandenbergScience Airand Forcetechnology Basein California]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in California]]
 
▲[[de:Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 10]]
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