Vandenberg LF21	home topic index
Launch Complex: LF21. Vandenberg. Latitude: 34.8615 deg. Longitude: -120.5956 deg. Used by: Minuteman 2, Minuteman 3, Orbus. First Launch: 1965-08-18. Last Launch: 2004-01-09. Number Launches: 34. LF21 Chronology 1965 August 18 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2001 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1965 November 9 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2009 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1967 May 11 - 14:23 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2095 Force modification test Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1967 July 15 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2337 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1968 September 1 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 1442 ST (Partial fuel) Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). 1969 March 22 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2415 ST Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1969 May 2 - 08:42 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2505 ST Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1969 June 20 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2320 ST Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1969 October 1 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2510 ST Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1969 November 19 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. Minuteman 2 2508 ST Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1970 November 4 - 09:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-1W STM-1W research and development mission Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1971 April 8 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-2W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1971 June 11 - 14:55 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-6W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1972 May 31 - 14:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-1 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1972 August 2 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-7W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1974 April 5 - 01:25 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-5 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1974 October 12 - 05:54 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-6 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1976 July 15 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-11W STM-11W test Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1976 November 12 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-12W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1977 January 30 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-13W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1977 June 16 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-14W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1977 August 19 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-14 Research and development launch Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1977 November 3 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-15 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1978 January 6 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-15W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1978 June 22 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-16W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1978 December 8 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-17W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1979 February 15 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-16 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1979 April 19 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-17 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1979 August 30 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 STM-18W Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1980 January 31 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-18 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 1980 March 27 - Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 PVM-19 Research and development launch Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). 2001 August 31 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Orbus. GBI BV-2 GMDS BVT-2 test Agency: USAF AFMC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). 2001 December 13 - 18:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Orbus. GBI BV-3 FAILURE: Failure. GMDS BVT-3 test Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). 2004 January 9 - 18:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Orbus. GBI BV-5 GMDS BVT-5 'BV+' test Agency: USAF AFSPC?. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Dummy EKV payload. Launch delayed from August, September, and December 18, 2003. Booster Verification Test -5 tested a three-stage booster configuration for use with the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense System. Built by Lockheed Martin Corp., the booster was one of two slated for use with the GMD system. The system was designed to intercept and destroy long-range ballistic missiles. Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments. Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site.. To contact astronauts or cosmonauts. © Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.