summers@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert Summers) (12/14/83)
I have a few questions about the Vandenberg Air Force Base launch site for the space shuttles. Does anyone know when the first launch from VAFB is scheduled to occur? Do they have a landing strip there also. Why did the Air Force build their own launch facility (I know about DoD funding for the shuttle), is it because security is better there and they can handle highly classified payloads easier that way? If security is the reason for their own launch facilities, why did they chose VAFB as their site, there are other AF facilities further south and just as isolated (Edwards AFB, Homestead AFB, etc.). Any other info on VAFB and the Air Force plans for the shuttle would be highly appreciated. TIA Sgt Robert Summers USAF (ret) Mr. Bob Summers (active) -- Robert L. Summers AT&T Bell Laboratories Naperville, Illinois 60566 (312) 979-1649 ihnp4!ihuxk!summers
jonab@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Jonathan Biggar) (12/15/83)
The reason for the Vandenburg launch site is that it is further north thus making it easier to launch shuttles into polar orbit. Almost all (all?) satellites that are now launched into polar orbit from the US are launched at Vandenburg. -- Jon Biggar {allegra,burdvax,cbosgd,hplabs,ihnp4,sdccsu3,trw-unix}!sdcrdcf!jonab
lewis@psuvax.UUCP (12/15/83)
<non-blank> I think Vandenberg was chosen because of certain safety criteria--NASA doesn't want the SRB's or external tank to come down on land. Apparently, a launch from Vandenberg allows a greater range of orbital inclinations, which would be desirable for military payloads such as reconnaisance sattellites. -Jim Lewis psuvax!lewis
eder@ssc-vax.UUCP (Dani Eder) (12/16/83)
16 december 1983 The reason for two launch sites for the Shuttle is safety. The Shuttle is not allowed to fly over inhabited areas. This limits launches from KSC to low inclinations (up to 57 degrees). Any more northerly would cause the vehicle to overfly Newfoundland (I think). Launches from Vandenberg will be southerly, over the Pacific. That will allow polar type orbits. As for landing, the Maps and Charts book I have (from the set of data the astronauts carry with them) show Vandenberg, Oxnard, LAX, Long Beach, and other fields as potential emergency landing sites, based on having a long enough runway, >10,000 feet. Dani Eder Boeing Aerospace
lmc@denelcor.UUCP (Lyle McElhaney) (12/22/83)
Part of the reason for the Vandenburg launch site is security; the major reason is that it is the only place in the US where a high-inclination launch can be performed without crossing some other countries' air space or a sizeable city before orbit is achieved (i.e., over the water). A lot of reconn satellites require high inclinations to cover the desired high latitudes. -- Lyle McElhaney ...(hao,nbires,brl-bmd,csu-cs)!denelcor!lmc (303) 337-7900 x261