Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3
The mobile launcher platform at SLC-3E rolls back prior to the launch of InSight in May 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch site | Vandenberg Space Force Base | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 34°38′35″N 120°35′19″W / 34.6429885°N 120.5885124°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UTC−07:00 (PDT) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short name | SLC-3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | United States Space Force (owner) United Launch Alliance (tenant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total launches | 126 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch pad(s) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orbital inclination range | 51° – 145° | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Space Launch Complex 3 (SLC-3) is a launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base that consists of two separate launch pads. Space Launch Complex 3 East (SLC-3E) was used by the Atlas V launch vehicle before it was decommissioned in August 2021 with the final launch taking place on November 10, 2022, at 09:49, while Space Launch Complex 3 West (SLC-3W) has been demolished.
Launches from Vandenberg fly southward, allowing payloads to be placed in high-inclination orbits such as polar or Sun-synchronous orbit, which allow full global coverage on a regular basis and are often used for weather, Earth observation, and reconnaissance satellites. These orbits are difficult to reach from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where launches must fly eastward due to major population centers to both the north and south of Kennedy Space Center. Avoiding these would require hugely inefficient maneuvering, greatly reducing payload capacity.
SLC-3E was the launch site of the Mars lander InSight in May 2018.