[net.columbia] classifiedness of Vandenberg

eder@ssc-vax.UUCP (Dani Eder) (10/05/84)

> 
> For those of you who don't belong to NSI (National Space Institute)
> the current (September) issue of "Space World" contains a four page
> article on the Vandenberg Facility, its current state of development,
> tentative completion date, first operation date (i.e. first launch), etc.
> 
> The article essentially confirms and expands on what has already been
> posted on the net, plus it has a lot of pictures (surprising, considering
> the classified nature of most of the operations there). 
> 
>                                    -- Jack Hagerty, Zehntel Inc.

     While payloads launched from Vandenberg may be classified, the facilities
themselves are not.  We are just completing a study on a Shuttle-derived
cargo launch vehicle for the Air Force Space Division.  We looked at the
modifications required at Vandenberg to accomodate the different vehicle,
which means we have a set of detailed plans for the various facilities
(it takes up 3 feet of shelving).  No classified stamps anywhere.  It is
possible that there are some portions of the base which are classified,
but they would be fairly small.

Dani Eder / Boeing Aerospace Company / uw-beaver!ssc-vax!eder / (206)773-4545