Vandenberg launched a Titan IV-B rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 4:45 p.m. Thursday August 17, the 1,800th launch conducted at the California base since beginning in 1958.
The rocket carried a National Reconnaissance Office satellite into orbit and payload-booster separation was successful nine minutes after lift-off.
“The 30th Space Wing, Space and Missile Center, NRO and Lockheed Martin Aerospace have worked together to build upon our legacy of success,” said Col. Steve Lanning, 30th Space Wing commander and spacelift commander for the mission.
“This marks the 1,800th launch from Vandenberg. We have built a solid foundation for government and commercial space launches from here for years to come.”
Vandenberg’s first launch occured on Dec. 16, 1958, when a Thor intermediate range ballistic missile was successfully launched.
“This success was due to the great work of the NRO government-contractor team,” said Col. Stephen Wojcicki, director of the NRO’s Office of Space Launch and mission director for this launch.
The launch occured just one day before the 40th anniversary of the first successful film recovery of the Corona satellite program. This success proved the viability of space-based reconnaissance.
