Vandenberg Space Force Base Space Launch Complex 10, Military launch pad in Santa Barbara County, United States
Space Launch Complex 10 is a rocket launch facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base featuring concrete platforms and technical equipment positioned directly on the California coast for polar orbit satellite operations. The infrastructure includes a launch tower, fuel storage systems, and control buildings that have served multiple mission types over several decades.
The facility was established in 1958 as a launch site for the Thor missile program, marking a new chapter in American space and military capabilities. Over the decades, it was repeatedly upgraded and adapted for different satellite types and mission requirements.
Space Launch Complex 10 functions as a heritage center displaying military space artifacts and missile technology from the Cold War period.
Access to the facility is restricted to visitors with proper security clearance through Vandenberg Space Force Base's visitor management system. Those interested should contact the military base well in advance, as access requirements are strictly enforced.
The site's coastal location allows satellites to reach polar orbits without flying over populated areas during their ascent phase. This geographic advantage made it strategically valuable for American space programs throughout the Cold War era.
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