Vandenberg Air Force Base now Vandenberg Space Force Base was actually one of the two launch sites for the Space Shuttle but it ended up being cancelled and all 135 Space Shuttle missions were all launched out of Kennedy Space Center using two launchpads: Launchpad 39A and Launchpad 39B
For the record, the shuttle shown in this video was _Enterprise_, which was not flight capable. It was sent to verify that the mechanical interfaces were working properly (e.g. Do the T-0 umbilicals attach properly) and to allow the ground crew to practice stacking the orbiter. Had Challenger not occurred, Endeavor was scheduled to be sent to Vandenburg on a permanent basis in the next few months. Its worth pointing out, though, that the Air Force was actively looking for an excuse to opt-out of the Shuttle program at this point, so it wouldn't have been shocking if Endeavor's deployment was delayed.
I worked out there during the shuttle buildup. I remember a couple of jet engines that were housed in a building adjacent to the launch mount... Weren't those to be used to blow out the accumulated gasses? I also remember them doing some late testing with bags filled with explosive gas which were detonated and force measurements being taken from the explosions. That was done pretty late in the game, don't remember hearing anything about the results. The whole idea I believe was to prevent any buildup of gasses in the duct in the case of an abort after the shuttle engines had ignited but before the solids were ignited. Ah, the good old days! :) It was a fun place to work!
Vandenberg Air Force Base now Vandenberg Space Force Base was actually one of the two launch sites for the Space Shuttle but it ended up being cancelled and all 135 Space Shuttle missions were all launched out of Kennedy Space Center using two launchpads: Launchpad 39A and Launchpad 39B
For the record, the shuttle shown in this video was _Enterprise_, which was not flight capable. It was sent to verify that the mechanical interfaces were working properly (e.g. Do the T-0 umbilicals attach properly) and to allow the ground crew to practice stacking the orbiter.
Had Challenger not occurred, Endeavor was scheduled to be sent to Vandenburg on a permanent basis in the next few months.
Its worth pointing out, though, that the Air Force was actively looking for an excuse to opt-out of the Shuttle program at this point, so it wouldn't have been shocking if Endeavor's deployment was delayed.
Now, Delta IV heavy launches from there
My father was a part of this. ❤️ I remember when it all ended too. 💔
The Challenger explosion cancelled the Vandenberg launches.
The biggest issue was the "exhaust ducts" which would have accumulated hydrogen under the pad and risk a huge explosion.
I worked out there during the shuttle buildup. I remember a couple of jet engines that were housed in a building adjacent to the launch mount... Weren't those to be used to blow out the accumulated gasses? I also remember them doing some late testing with bags filled with explosive gas which were detonated and force measurements being taken from the explosions. That was done pretty late in the game, don't remember hearing anything about the results. The whole idea I believe was to prevent any buildup of gasses in the duct in the case of an abort after the shuttle engines had ignited but before the solids were ignited. Ah, the good old days! :) It was a fun place to work!
Ridiculous the shuttle would have destroyed that tiny facility