Space Launch Complex 10: Vandenberg's Cold War National Landmark

by Joseph T. Page II

Situated in the sand dunes of California's Central Coast, Space Launch Complex Ten, often called SLC-10 or "Slick Ten," is a National Historic Landmark that commemorates a powerful Cold War legacy. Home to Vandenberg's Space and Missile Technology Center, or SAMTEC, the facility contains the rich technological heritage of the U.S. Air Force's space and missile launch systems. As the only remaining Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile launch site in the world, SLC-10's noteworthy achievements span the globe. The complex trained British Royal Air Force missileers for Project EMILY, assisted during nuclear atmospheric tests in the Pacific and launched military weather satellites in support of the covert National Reconnaissance Program. Former air force space and missile officer Joseph T. Page II introduces these amazing stories of dedicated men and women who led the American military effort to explore space.

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2016

Reviews

[Roger Burk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It emerges in the final chapter that this book is a plea for the establishment of a "Thor Historic District" at Vandenberg AFB. The frame is a history of SLC 10, which is already a National Historic Site with a small museum used for local functions like retirements and promotions. It includes some context in the early history of photoreconnaissance satellites. It suffers from the usual defects of military organizational histories: a blizzard of acronyms and bewildering changes of unit names. On the other hand, it includes some interesting historical tidbits.

SLC 10 went through three main phases before being decommissioned: (1) Test and training launch for the Thor IRBM that was deployed by the RAF in England in the 1960s; (2) Development and training for Program 537, a Thor-based nuclear-armed direct ascent ASAT maintained on Johnston Island by the Air Force in the 1960s and early 70s (including an alternate configuration that only photographed the target); (3) Launch for Early DMSP weather satellites, also on Thors. All the Thor launch vehicles were repurposed RAF combat Thors left over after that program ended.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting little book focusing on the history of SLC 10 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Many people know I have an obsession with the launch complexes at Cape Canaveral, so a book like this really piques my interest. I was a bit disappointed with the main text of the book, which seemed to be more concerned about the history of the Corona spy satellite program than the history of the complex itself.

I actually found the appendices of the book to be quite interesting, being as they cover a description of the site and recaps the effort to document, preserve and recognize this facility. I must say, this site is lucky to have people so invested in preserving it. I can think of so many similar complexes at Cape Canaveral that have been neglected or bulldozed out of existence. I'd like to see the author take on some of Canaveral's historic complexes, especially 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 14, 19, 26, 30, 31, 32 and 34.