Author Topic: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?  (Read 43505 times)

Offline abaddon

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3266
  • Liked: 4344
  • Likes Given: 5902
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #20 on: 09/16/2021 06:10 pm »
Falcon already has a launchpad at Vandenberg.  While it was billed as being built for Heavy, that was quite some time ago and it would have to be upgraded, but that would be far cheaper than a new site just for Heavy.  There is no need for it.
« Last Edit: 09/16/2021 06:11 pm by abaddon »

Offline Jim

  • Night Gator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 38006
  • Cape Canaveral Spaceport
  • Liked: 22353
  • Likes Given: 432
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #21 on: 09/16/2021 07:35 pm »
Why not? It's up to Space Force you said. Thanks for elaborating.

But SpaceX isn't going to want it.

No need for Falcon.  And too expensive for Starship.  Anyways, Starship can go polar from KSC.
« Last Edit: 09/16/2021 07:37 pm by Jim »

Offline Vahe231991

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1687
  • 11 Canyon Terrace
  • Liked: 464
  • Likes Given: 199
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #22 on: 05/02/2022 09:34 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)? Since ULA has already planned to use just one facility at Vandenberg SFB, I would imagine that the USSF will begin demolishing the SLC-6 launch site a few months after the NROL-91 is launched.

Offline ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8543
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2442
  • Likes Given: 2134
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #23 on: 05/02/2022 10:19 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)? Since ULA has already planned to use just one facility at Vandenberg SFB, I would imagine that the USSF will begin demolishing the SLC-6 launch site a few months after the NROL-91 is launched.

I thought SLC-3E would be modified for West Coast Vulcan missions.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline lrk

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 901
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 772
  • Likes Given: 1149
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #24 on: 05/02/2022 10:19 pm »
I doubt they will bother demolishing it.  Depending on who uses it in the future, some structures could possibly be reused.  The current launch umbilical tower, mobile service structure, mobile service shelter and pad base/flame trenches all date from when SLC-6 was built to launch the shuttle.  And the fact that the LUT can be fully enclosed means that structural decay due to environmental factors will be less of an issue. 

Offline Vahe231991

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1687
  • 11 Canyon Terrace
  • Liked: 464
  • Likes Given: 199
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #25 on: 05/02/2022 10:32 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)? Since ULA has already planned to use just one facility at Vandenberg SFB, I would imagine that the USSF will begin demolishing the SLC-6 launch site a few months after the NROL-91 is launched.

I thought SLC-3E would be modified for West Coast Vulcan missions.
The US Space Force plans to modify launch pad SLC-3E for the Vulcan rocket, but no planned Vulcan missions have yet been assigned for operation from SLC-3E. But you're right, ULA said long ago that launch operations from Vandenberg Space Force base would be restricted to just the SLC-3E facility, meaning that SLC-6 will be decommissioned and dismantled once NROL-91 is launched.

Offline russianhalo117

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8864
  • Liked: 4810
  • Likes Given: 768
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #26 on: 05/02/2022 10:50 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)? Since ULA has already planned to use just one facility at Vandenberg SFB, I would imagine that the USSF will begin demolishing the SLC-6 launch site a few months after the NROL-91 is launched.
SLC-6 will remain operational until the last flight of DIVH to support a potential but unlikely flight reassignment. After the last flight ever of a DIVH both both launch complexes will execute their respective inactivation, decommissioning and mothballing plans which were developed jointly by ULA and USSF.

Offline Newton_V

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 871
  • United States
  • Liked: 877
  • Likes Given: 132
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #27 on: 05/02/2022 10:56 pm »
... but no planned Vulcan missions have yet been assigned for operation from SLC-3E.
hmmm

Offline Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39630
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 33369
  • Likes Given: 9604
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #28 on: 05/04/2022 06:54 am »
... but no planned Vulcan missions have yet been assigned for operation from SLC-3E.
hmmm

I guess you mean that some of the Kuiper missions will be flying from Vandenberg! :-)
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline Zed_Noir

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5490
  • Canada
  • Liked: 1812
  • Likes Given: 1302
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #29 on: 05/04/2022 09:28 am »
Maybe Below Orbit Blue Origin might considering leasing pad SLC-6 for west coast launches of the New Glenn. More like squatting on the pad to denied it use to other launch providers.

Offline edkyle99

  • Expert
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15554
    • Space Launch Report
  • Liked: 8901
  • Likes Given: 1398
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #30 on: 05/04/2022 01:02 pm »
The Space Shuttle and Titan IIIC were to have used Space Launch Complex 6 ....
SLC 6 was originally built for Titan IIIM, boosted by the 7-segment dual solid motor Stage 0, to orbit MOL/Dorian.  When Dorian was shelved in 1969, so was Titan IIIM and SLC 6.

With its recent big launch contract, I wonder if ULA might be looking anew at SLC 37 and/or SLC 6.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 05/04/2022 01:04 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline deadman1204

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2042
  • USA
  • Liked: 1610
  • Likes Given: 2964
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #31 on: 05/04/2022 01:38 pm »
Maybe Below Orbit Blue Origin might considering leasing pad SLC-6 for west coast launches of the New Glenn. More like squatting on the pad to denied it use to other launch providers.

Sadly it does fit with the company

Offline Vahe231991

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1687
  • 11 Canyon Terrace
  • Liked: 464
  • Likes Given: 199
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #32 on: 05/04/2022 03:40 pm »
... but no planned Vulcan missions have yet been assigned for operation from SLC-3E.
hmmm

I guess you mean that some of the Kuiper missions will be flying from Vandenberg! :-)
Last month Amazon secured a contract to provide for 38 Kuiper missions using the Vulcan rocket. All planned Kuiper missions aboard the Atlas V will be launched from Cape Canaveral, but it remains to be seen whether some of the contracted Kuiper missions for launch aboard the Vulcan will be carried out from VSFB.

Offline Jim

  • Night Gator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 38006
  • Cape Canaveral Spaceport
  • Liked: 22353
  • Likes Given: 432
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #33 on: 05/05/2022 08:35 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)?

no.

Offline Jim

  • Night Gator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 38006
  • Cape Canaveral Spaceport
  • Liked: 22353
  • Likes Given: 432
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #34 on: 05/05/2022 08:36 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)? Since ULA has already planned to use just one facility at Vandenberg SFB, I would imagine that the USSF will begin demolishing the SLC-6 launch site a few months after the NROL-91 is launched.

I thought SLC-3E would be modified for West Coast Vulcan missions.
The US Space Force plans to modify launch pad SLC-3E for the Vulcan rocket,

No, ULA is going to modify SLC-3E

Offline deadman1204

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2042
  • USA
  • Liked: 1610
  • Likes Given: 2964
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #35 on: 05/11/2022 02:30 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)?

no.
Has there ever been a "closing ceremony" for a rockets last launch (ignoring shuttle)?

Offline Jim

  • Night Gator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 38006
  • Cape Canaveral Spaceport
  • Liked: 22353
  • Likes Given: 432
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #36 on: 05/11/2022 02:49 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)?

no.
Has there ever been a "closing ceremony" for a rockets last launch (ignoring shuttle)?

No

Offline EL_DIABLO

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 190
  • Liked: 150
  • Likes Given: 209
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #37 on: 08/24/2022 10:27 pm »
Quote
NRO @NatReconOfc
LAUNCH UPDATE: #NROL91 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg SFB (@SLdelta30) on a @ulalaunch
Delta IV Heavy September 24. This is the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the #WestCoast, don’t miss out!

#AboveandBeyond #LastButNotLeast

Anybody know when ULA's lease for SLC-6 ends?

Offline DaveS

  • Shuttle program observer
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8575
  • Sweden
  • Liked: 1292
  • Likes Given: 67
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #38 on: 08/24/2022 10:34 pm »
Given that Delta IV Heavy slated to launch NROL-91 will be the last Delta IV Heavy launch from the SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and there are no more launches scheduled to launch from that base, is the US Space Force planning a ceremony in the future to mark the decommissioning of SLC-6 and a special farewell tribute to the men and women involved in launches of the Delta IV Heavy at Vandenberg Space Force Base (then known as Vandenberg Air Force Base when the Delta IV Heavy was first launched in 2004)?

no.
Has there ever been a "closing ceremony" for a rockets last launch (ignoring shuttle)?

No
Wasn't there a ceremony of sorts when the last "classic Atlas" launched from SLC-36? I seem to remember something to that effect when SLC-36 hosted its launch launch.
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Offline Newton_V

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 871
  • United States
  • Liked: 877
  • Likes Given: 132
Re: Delta IVH: Future of 37B and SLC-6?
« Reply #39 on: 09/05/2022 09:49 pm »
Gonna be sad this old rust-bucket won't be used again.  :'(

 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0