Final Environmental Assessment for the Space Complex-5 SCOUT Launcher Relocation Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Abstract
The SCOUT, an acronym for Solid Controlled Orbital Utility Test, was the first U.S. launch vehicle to use solid fuel exclusively in all stages. The standard SCOUT is a four-stage vehicle approximately 75 feet in length, with an optional fifth stage available for launching smaller payloads into higher elliptical orbits. The SCOUT employs a dual-purpose launcher/transporter combination that permits checkout of the vehicle in the horizontal position and launching in the vertical position. The launcher has a movable base which permits azimuth control up to 140 degrees. A cantilevered elevating launch boom provides pitch control to the 90-degree vertical position. There were originally two launch sites for the SCOUT - NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, VA, used for Eastern launches; and, Space Launch Complex 5 (SLC-5) at Vandenberg Air Force Base (V AFB), California, used for high inclination missions. SLC-5 was built and used by the U.S. Naval Missile Facility Point Arguello at South V AFB. The first Navy launch from the SCOUT facility at SLC-5 was in 1962. After being used by the Navy for many years, the facility was transferred to the U.S. Air Force. The last Air Force launch from SLC -5 was in 1994- since then, SLC-5 has been unused. The U.S. Navy proposes to remove the SCOUT Launcher and related appurtenances from VAFB. The launcher would be used at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Hawaii to launch rail-guided vehicles of a size larger than the PMRF can currently launch in this manner. This program would be conducted in cooperation with the University of Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL). The launcher would be refurbished at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) prior to being transferred and reinstalled at the PMRF in Hawaii.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA631061