Azimuth restrictions at Vandenberg

[markbike528cbx]

Are there "micro" azimuth restrictions at Vandenberg for the reason of not hitting other SLC's at Vandenberg?

While the overall azimuth restrictions are:
Launch Azimuths* 153°–240° (typical range, others possible pending analysis)
Orbital Inclinations 59°–125°

From SLC-3 to SLC-4, Launch azimuths from 262 to 242 would impact SLC-4.
From SLC-3 to SLC-6, Launch azimuths from 214 to 205 would impact SLC-6.

I'm sure there are more from Vandenberg, but those are the most active places.

Maybe this is covered under "others possible pending analysis". 
Who does the analysis, who verifies and who enforces it (the Range Safety Officer?).


For the Cape**, I believe such micro restrictions are rendered moot by the overriding restrictions of not wanting to splash on Miami or Bahamas.  The Miami restriction requires a dogleg in any case for polar orbits from the Cape.

*https://www.faa.gov/space/spaceports_by_state#ca_vs
Launch Azimuths 153°–240° (typical range, others possible pending analysis)
Orbital Inclinations 59°–125°


**Cape Launch Azimuths https://www.faa.gov/space/spaceports_by_state#fl_sflc
Typically 37°–114° with recent options to support polar orbits
Orbital Inclinations
Typically 57°–39° with recent options to support polar orbits

* and ** Similar 158° and 201° azimuths at
SPACEPORTS of the world
THOMAS G. ROBERTS
CSIS AEROSPACE SECURITY PROJECT MARCH 2019

I was going to put this in Orbit Q&A, but I got a necropost warning, and there was already an unanswered post there.

[Newton_V]

Are there "micro" azimuth restrictions at Vandenberg for the reason of not hitting other SLC's at Vandenberg?

It's more an issue if a government customer has a payload sitting at that other SLC waiting for a ride, or even if something is in the IPF.

[Jim]

Maybe this is covered under "others possible pending analysis". 
Who does the analysis, who verifies and who enforces it (the Range Safety Officer?).

Safety analyses the trajectories presented to it and gives approval.  The range enforces it.

[Jim]

Really interesting question — and yes, you’re right. While the general azimuth windows are quite broad, there are definitely “micro” restrictions in practice to avoid crossing paths with active SLCs. Range Safety Officers and flight analysts are usually the ones who handle the detailed analysis, verify it, and enforce the restrictions on launch day

They are enforced long before launch day.  And "Range Safety Officers" were not the ones that approved trajectories and that name is no longer used.