Astrophysics
SOLRAD (SOLar RADiation) 4B was a solar X-ray, ultraviolet, and electronic surveillance satellite. Developed by the United States Navy's United States Naval Research Laboratory, it was the fifth in both the SOLRAD and the GRAB (Galactic Radiation And Background) programs.
Orbital Attempt
#160
USN Mission
#18
Pad Launch
#1
Location Launch
#51
Apr 26, 1962, 10:49 AM
1 update
Space Launch Complex 5 (SLC-5) was a launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States. It was previously part of the Point Arguello Naval Air Station, during which time it was designated Launch Complex D or LC-D. Constructed in 1961, it was used by 69 Scout launch vehicles between 1962 and 1994.
Total Launches
69
Orbital Attempts
69
Fastest Turnaround
11d 17h
The Scout family of rockets were were American launch vehicles designed to place small satellites into orbit around the Earth. The Scout multistage rocket was the first orbital launch vehicle to be entirely composed of solid fuel stages.
Length
25 m
Diameter
1.01 m
Launch Mass
16 t
Thrust
427 kN
LEO Capacity
76 kg
Launch Cost
$9M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1962
Fastest Turnaround
28d 3h
Total Launches
2
Successful
1
Failed
1
Consecutive Success
0
Maiden flight: Mar 29, 1962
The Navy was competed with the Army to put the first American satellite into orbit. Their first two Vanguard missions failed, with the second being a highly publicized failure, as it exploded on the launchpad. They went on to put 3 satellites into orbit but did not beat the Army to be the first. Their work in space continues today largely on military satellites.
Founded
1963
Total Launches
18
Successful
3
Failed
15
Pending
0
Consecutive Success
0
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Local Launch Time
Apr 26, 1962, 2:49 AM
Total Launches
885
Total Landings
34
Coordinates
34.7513, -120.5202