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Author
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Topic: Space shuttle at Vandenberg Air Force Base
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Headshot Member Posts: 864 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 04-09-2013 03:56 PM
There were plans to launch the space shuttle from Vandenberg AFB in the '80s and a dedicated launch complex was built there for these DoD missions.My questions are as follows: - Were any astronauts formally assigned to crews for these mission? I seem to recall that Robert Crippen was assigned to command the first Dod mission, but cannot remember who his crewmates would have been.
- Had the launches occurred, would the shuttle have flown north or south? I dimly recall that these were to be polar orbit missions. I am wondering where the SRBs would have landed.
- What happened to these facilities?
I believe that Reagan cancelled this DoD aspect of the shuttle program after Challenger was lost. I know that I saw, a long time ago, images of Enterprise being used to check out the launch pad etc. before the shoe dropped. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 04-09-2013 04:21 PM
STS-62A - CDR: Robert Crippen
- PLT: Guy Gardner
- MS: Dale Gardner
- MS: Mike Mullane
- MS: Jerry Ross
- PS: John Waterson
- PS: Edward "Pete" Aldridge
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-09-2013 04:22 PM
The launch complex, Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6, pronounced "Slick-Six"), was originally built in 1966 to fly Titan 3 boosters and modified Gemini B capsules for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Two decades later, it was converted to support Air Force launches of the space shuttle. Space shuttle Enterprise was brought to Vandenberg in 1985 to serve as a fit check vehicle for the reconfigured launch pad and support facilities. As mentioned, the first crew assigned to launch from SLC-6 was for STS-62A, with commander Bob Crippen, pilot Guy Gardner and mission specialists Mike Mullane, Jerry Ross and Dale Gardner. Pete Aldridge and Brett Watterson were assigned as payload specialists. The mission would have launched southward over the Pacific Ocean into polar orbit. STS-62A was scheduled to deploy the Teal Ruby experimental spacecraft and operate a package of sensors in the payload bay. You can read more about the history of SLC-6 at Spaceflight Now. Linked from that page are multiple photo galleries showing Enterprise at the pad. After its use for the space shuttle was canceled, SLC-6 was used briefly to launch Athena rockets, before being remodified to support Delta IV boosters, which have launched there since 2006. |
capcomespace Member Posts: 27 From: france Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 03-17-2019 01:46 PM
I am looking for informations to update my website.Anybody can confirmed when the Enterprise stack was mated on SLC-6? I have between 7-14 January 1985 for SRB mate, 27-28 January for ET mate and 29-30 January for orbiter mate. On pics and any video, it was raining when Enterprise arrived at pad on transporter. On other pics, the sky was blue when was rolled into MSAB. Remain a day outdoor the MSAB? February 4, the PCR (Payload Changeout Room) was rolled close to orbiter. Correct? February 15, the stack was cleared. Correct? February 19 was the family day to see the Enterprise at SLC-6. Was the "fog day" show on pics? Dated the water deluge at pad and the de-stacked operation. When Enterprise was on pad for mate, exterior to MSAB was all white. On any pics, USAF was painted and follow the US flag on side. Dated this "art painting"? |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-18-2019 09:19 AM
SAB (Shuttle Assembly Building), not MSAB. |
capcomespace Member Posts: 27 From: france Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 03-18-2019 01:56 PM
Yes SAB, not Mobile Shuttle Assembly Building, sorry... | |
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