Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
| Company type | Launch complex |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Vandenberg Space Force Base , United States |
Area served | Global (polar orbit launches) |
| Products | Rocket launch services |
Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) remains an operational rocket launching facility situated at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, United States. This complex comprises two distinct launch pads: Space Launch Complex 2 East (SLC-2E, initially designated LC 75-1-1), which supported launches of the PGM-17 Thor missile and its variants from 1958 until 1972; and Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W, originally LC 75-1-2), active since 1959 for missions involving the Thor-Delta series and Delta II, now utilized for Firefly Alpha operations.
Initially part of the larger Launch Complex 75 (LC 75), SLC-2 was formerly identified as LC 75-1, with its two pads labeled LC 75-1-1 and LC 75–1–2. The inaugural launch under the SLC-2 name was conducted from SLC-2E on October 2, 1966, deploying a Delta E rocket carrying the ESSA-3 satellite.
The two pads, SLC-2E and SLC-2W, are positioned approximately apart, with SLC-2W continuing active service for ongoing and future commercial launch missions.
Thor and Thor-Agena Era (1959–1968)
Constructed in the late 1950s as Launch Complex 75–1–2, Space Launch Complex 2 West was designed to support launches of the PGM-17 Thor missile for suborbital testing. This pad was operated jointly by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force under Project Emily, which aimed to deploy intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Britain. The first flight took place on September 17, 1959, achieving mostly successful outcomes. Following its last mission on January 21, 1960, the site was converted into an orbital launch facility as Thor missiles were phased out in favor of ICBMs such as the LGM-25C Titan II.
Once modified for orbital launches, LC 75-1-2 supported missions using Thor-Agena and Thor-Ablestar vehicles, working alongside nearby complexes SLC-1E and SLC-1W to deploy satellites into polar orbits. Between 1960 and 1967, this pad facilitated a total of 21 launches—19 with Agena boosters and two with Ablestar—primarily placing reconnaissance satellites like the KH-4 series into orbit for military agencies including the National Reconnaissance Office.
Early Delta Period (1969–1989)
With increasing Department of Defense payload requirements during the late 1960s—featuring satellites such as the KH-9 Hexagon and KH-11 KENNEN—the Thor-Agena and Thor-Ablestar systems were retired. Subsequently, the pad underwent enhancements to become SLC-2W, serving as the West Coast launch site for the expanding Thor-Delta rocket family, complementing Cape Canaveral’s LC-17 facility. Throughout this phase, SLC-2W supported 26 Delta launches carrying payloads for DoD, NASA, NOAA, and international organizations including the ESA. A mobile service tower was added in the late 1970s to accommodate evolving Delta rocket designs.
During the 1980s, activity diminished as expectations grew that the Delta would be replaced by the Space Shuttle, intended to launch from nearby SLC-6. Although Shuttle operations from California were canceled following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, SLC-2W’s final launch in this configuration occurred on November 18, 1989, deploying NASA’s Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) aboard a Delta 5000 vehicle.
Delta II Operations (1995–2018)
After a pause of five years, McDonnell Douglas reactivated SLC-2W in 1994 to facilitate polar orbit missions using the Delta II rocket series—the successor to earlier Thor-Delta vehicles. The first launch took place on November 4, 1995, deploying both Canada’s Radarsat-1 satellite and a NASA Deep Space Network test payload. Over a span of more than two decades, SLC-2W hosted a total of 45 Delta II launches delivering payloads for governmental and commercial customers alike. Noteworthy missions included deployment of satellites such as Aqua, Aura, Gravity Probe B, and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).
Control of operations shifted from McDonnell Douglas to Boeing following their merger in 1997, later transitioning to United Launch Alliance after its establishment in 2006 by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Activity decreased following retirement of Delta II at Cape Canaveral in 2011; nevertheless, the final launch of a Thor-derived vehicle at this site was conducted on September 12, 2018, carrying out NASA’s ICESat-2 mission.
Firefly Aerospace (2019–present)
Following the conclusion of Delta II operations, SLC-2W was leased to Firefly Aerospace for the purpose of launching the Firefly Alpha. On October 15, 2020, during the dismantling of the Delta II mobile service tower, a fire broke out; fortunately, no injuries were sustained. The inaugural flight of Firefly's Alpha rocket took place on September 3, 2021, but it ended unsuccessfully due to an engine malfunction that activated the range safety system at transonic velocity. The company later succeeded in achieving an orbital launch on October 1, 2022. That same year, Firefly and Northrop Grumman revealed plans to develop the Medium Launch Vehicle (now known as Eclipse), which will also employ SLC-2W as a site for polar orbit launches.
SLC-2E
Space Launch Complex 2 East, initially designated Launch Complex 75–1–1, was utilized for missile testing by both the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force using Thor missiles. Its maiden launch occurred on December 18, 1958, followed by three additional launches within the subsequent year. After the Thor missile was phased out, LC 75-1-1 underwent modifications in 1960 to support Thor-Agena and Thor-Ablestar rocket launches, significantly increasing military launch activity with a total of 23 and 6 launches respectively. A key milestone includes launching Alouette 1, Canada's first satellite. The facility was renamed SLC-2E in 1966 and shifted focus in the late 1960s to Thor-Delta and Thorad-Agena rockets, conducting a total of 19 government satellite deployments—14 using Delta rockets and 5 with Thorad vehicles. The last launch from this pad occurred on March 12, 1972, when a Delta N rocket placed TD-1A into orbit for ESRO. Subsequently, SLC-2E was deactivated to concentrate launch activities at SLC-2W.
Most infrastructure at SLC-2E has since been dismantled.
Thor and derivatives
All launches were conducted by the United States Air Force.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Configuration | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 September 1959 | 21:09 | PGM-17 Thor | Thor DM-18A | Suborbital test | Template:Success | First launch from LC-75-1-2; conducted in cooperation with the Royal Air Force. |
| 2 | 12 November 1959 | 19:24 | PGM-17 Thor | Thor DM-18A | Suborbital test | Template:Success | Test flight involving the Royal Air Force. |
| 3 | 15 December 1959 | 02:14 | PGM-17 Thor | Thor DM-18A | Suborbital test | Template:Failure | Flight control malfunction caused breakup approximately one minute after liftoff. |
| 4 | 21 January 1960 | 20:10 | PGM-17 Thor | Thor DM-18A | Suborbital test | Template:Success | Final missile trial at LC-75 with Royal Air Force participation. |
| 5 | 29 August 1962 | 01:00 | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / RM-81 Agena-D | FTV 1153 (KH-4) | Template:Success | First orbital launch and initial Thor-Agena flight from LC-75-1-2. |
| 6 | 29 September 1962 | 23:34 | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / RM-81 Agena-D | FTV 1154 (KH-4) | Template:Success | |
| 7 | 26 October 1962 | 16:14 | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / RM-81 Agena-D | STARAD | Template:Success | Satellite monitoring radiation belts created by nuclear test Starfish Prime. |
| 8 | 4 December 1962 | 21:30 | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / RM-81 Agena-D | FTV 1155 (KH-4) | Template:Success | |
| 9 | 27 June 1963 | 00:37 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV-2A / RM-81 Agena-D | OPS-0999 (KH-4) | Template:Success | Carried Hitchhiker 1 as a secondary payload. |
| 10 | 31 July 1963 | 00:00 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV-2A / RM-81 Agena-D | OPS-1370 (KH-4) | Template:Success | |
| 11 | 23 September 1963 | 23:00 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV-2A / RM-81 Agena-D | OPS-1353 (KH-4) | Template:Success | |
| 12 | 9 November 1963 | 20:27 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2 / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -2268 (KH -4) | Template:Failure | Heat shield malfunction caused loss of control after nearly two minutes. |
| 13 | 21 December 1963 | 21:45 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -2268 (KH -4) | Template:Success | Included Hitchhiker 3 as an additional payload. |
| 14 | 19 January 1964 | 10:59 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -3367 | Template:Success | Deployed two weather satellites designated OPS -3367A and B. |
| 15 | 13 June 1964 | 15:47 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -3236 (KH -5 Argon) | Template:Success | |
| 16 | 21 August 1964 | 15:45 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -2739 (KH -5 Argon) | Template:Success | |
| 17 | 6 October 1964 | 17:04 | Thor-Ablestar | Thor DSV -2A / Ablestar | OPS 5796 (Transit O -1) | Template:Success | Part of Transit Satellite System; first Thor-Ablestar mission from LC -75 -1 -2. |
| 18 | 13 December 1964 | 00:08 | Thor-Ablestar | Thor DSV -2A / Ablestar | OPS 6582 (Transit O -2) | Template:Success | Second and last Thor-Ablestar launch from LC -75 -1 -2. |
| 19 | 9 March 1965 | 18:29 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | Rideshare payload | Template:Success | Included eight satellites such as SOLRAD and POPPY. |
| 20 | 17 July 1965 | 05:55 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -8411 (Samos-F) | Template:Success | |
| 21 | 9 February 1966 | 19:45 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -1439 (Samos-F) | Template:Success | |
| 22 | 29 December 1966 | 12:00 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -1584 (Samos-F) | Template:Success | First launch after renaming to SLC-2W. |
| 23 | 14 January 1967 | 21:28 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -1664 (KH-4A) | Template:Success | |
| 24 | 22 February 1967 | 22:02 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -4750 (KH-4A) | Template:Success | |
| 25 | 30 March 1967 | 18:54 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -4779 (KH-4A) | Template:Success | |
| 26 | 31 May 1967 | 09:30 | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / RM -81 Agena - D | Rideshare payload | Template:Success | Included nine satellites such as POPPY and Calsphere. |
| 27 | 25 July 1967 | 03:48 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -1879 (Samos-F) | Template:Success | |
| 28 | 17 January 1968 | 10:12 | Thor-Agena | TAT SLV -2A / RM -81 Agena - D | OPS -1965 (Samos-F) | Template:Success | Final flight involving Thor-Agena configuration. |
Early Delta
All missions conducted by NASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Configuration | Payload | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 21 June 1969 | 08:53 | Delta E1 | Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4D | Explorer 41 | Template:Success | A component of the Explorers Program focused on investigating the interplanetary magnetic field. Marked the inaugural civilian launch from SLC-2W and first Thor-Delta mission from this site. |
| 30 | 23 January 1970 | 11:52 | Delta N6 | Thor LTT / Delta-E | TIROS-M | Template:Success | Part of the ITOS meteorological satellite series for the ESSA. |
| 31 | 11 December 1970 | 11:35 | Delta N6 | Thor LTT / Delta-E | NOAA-1 | Template:Success | Weather satellite within the ITOS series for NOAA, originally designated ITOS-A. |
| 32 | 23 July 1972 | 18:06 | Delta 0100 | Thor-Delta 904 | Landsat 1 | Template:Success | The inaugural launch under the Landsat program, delivering Earth observation data for research purposes. Notably led to the discovery of Landsat Island near Labrador. |
| 33 | 15 October 1972 | 17:17 | Delta 0100 | Thor-Delta 300 | NOAA-2 | Template:Success | An ITOS weather satellite operated by NOAA, launched as ITOS-D. |
| 34 | 11 December 1972 | 07:56 | Delta 0100 | Thor-Delta 900 | Nimbus 5 | Template:Success | A meteorological satellite part of the Nimbus program. |
| 35 | 16 July 1973 | 17:10 | Delta 0100 | Thor-Delta 300 | ITOS-E | Template:Failure | Second stage hydraulic pump malfunction resulted in loss of altitude control, causing mission failure. Part of NOAA's ITOS series. |
| 36 | 6 November 1973 | 14:02 | Delta 0100 | Thor-Delta 300 | NOAA-3 | Template:Success | An ITOS weather satellite for NOAA, designated as ITOS-F. |
| 37 | 16 December 1973 | 06:18 | Delta 1000 | Thor-Delta 1900 | Explorer 51 | Template:Success | "Explorers Program" satellite dedicated to studying the Thermosphere. |
| 38 | 15 November 1974 | 17:11 | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2310" | "NOAA-4" and "Intasat" | "Success" | "ITOS weather satellite for NOAA (ITOS-G). Included Intasat, Spain’s first satellite, as a secondary payload." |
| 39 | "22 January 1975" | "17:56" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2310" | "Landsat 2" | "Success" | "Continued Earth observation under the Landsat program." |
| 40 | "10 April 1975" | "23:50" | "Delta 1000" | "Thor-Delta 1410" | "GEOS-C" | "Success" | "Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite." |
| 41 | "12 June 1975" | "08:12" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2910" | "Nimbus 6" | "Success" | "Meteorological satellite within the Nimbus series." |
| 42 | "9 August 1975" | "01:47" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2913" | "Cos-B" | "Success" | "Gamma-ray astronomy space telescope; first launch from SLC-2W for ESRO." |
| 43 | "6 October 1975" | "09:01" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2910" | "Explorer 54" | "Success" | "Explorers Program satellite investigating Earth's atmosphere." |
| 44 | "4 May 1976" | "08:00" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2913" | "LAGEOS-1" | "Success" | "Laser Geodynamics Satellite used for geophysical studies." |
| 45 | "29 July 1976" | "17:07" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2310" | "NOAA-5" | "Success" | "ITOS weather satellite for NOAA (ITOS-H)." |
| 46 | "5 March 1978" | "17:54" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2910" | "Landsat 3" | "Success" | "Continued Landsat Earth observation efforts." |
| 47 | "24 October 1978" | "08:14" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2910" | "Nimbus 7" | "Success" | "Meteorological satellite part of Nimbus program." |
| 48 | "3 August 1981" | "09:56" | "Delta 3000" | "Thor-Delta 3913" | "Dynamics Explorer Dynamics Explorer 1 and Dynamics Explorer 2" | "Success" | "Dual spacecraft missions in Explorers Program studying upper atmosphere; DE-2 entered a lower orbit due to engine shutdown." |
| 49 | "6 October 1981" | "11:27" | "Delta 2000" | "Thor-Delta 2310" | "Solar Mesosphere Explorer" | "Success" | "Explorers Program satellite examining ozone chemistry in the mesosphere." |
| 50 | "16 July 1982" | "17:49" | "Delta 3000" | "Thor-Delta 3920" | "Landsat 4" | "Success" | "Ongoing Landsat Earth imaging mission." |
| 51 | "23 January 1983" | "02:17" | "Delta 3000" | "Thor-Delta 3910" | "IRAS" | "Success" | "Infrared space telescope developed through NASA, NIVR, and SERC collaboration; conducted first infrared sky survey." |
| 52 | "26 May 1983" | "15:18" | "Delta 3000" | "Thor-Delta 3914" | "EXOSAT" | "Success" | "X-ray astronomy observatory; ESA's first launch from SLC-2W." |
| 53 | "1 March 1984" | "17:59" | "Delta 3000" | "Thor-Delta 3920" | "Landsat 5" | "Success" | "Continuation of Landsat Earth observation program." |
| 54 | "18 November 1989" | "14:34" | "Delta 5000" | "Thor-Delta 5290" | "Cosmic Background Explorer" | "Success" | "'Explorers Program' space telescope surveying cosmic microwave background; only flight of Delta 5000 configuration and final Delta I launch from SLC-2W following Challenger disaster adjustments." |
Delta II
Prior to July 1997, all Delta II launches were conducted by McDonnell Douglas. From August 1997 through April 2006, Boeing took over operations, and since December 2006, United Launch Alliance has managed the launches.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Configuration | Payload | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 4 November 1995 | 14:22 | Delta II | Thor-Delta 7920–10 | RADARSAT-1 | Template:Success | Canadian Space Agency’s Earth observation satellite. This was the inaugural Delta II launch from Vandenberg and the first flight from SLC-2W executed by a private entity. |
| 56 | 24 February 1996 | 11:24 | Delta II | Thor-Delta 7925–10 | Polar | Template:Success | Mission under the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative aimed at analyzing auroral phenomena and Earth's polar magnetic fields. |
| 57 | 24 April 1996 | 12:27 | Delta II | Thor-Delta 7920–10 | Midcourse Space Experiment | Template:Success | Infrared telescope designed to evaluate missile detection technology. Marked the first military launch from SLC-2W since 1968. |
| 58–68 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta 7920-10C |Iridium satellite constellation MS-1 through MS-11 |Template:Success |A series deploying the Iridium constellation essential for worldwide mobile communication. Represented the initial Delta II launch following the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger. | ||||||
| 69 | 23 February 1999 | 10:29 | Delta II | Thor-Delta 7920–10 | ARGOS, Ørsted, SUNSAT | Template:Success | First satellites launched for Denmark and South Africa with Ørsted and SUNSAT respectively. |
| 70–74 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta series |Landsat 7, IMAGE, Earth Observing-1, QuickBird, Jason-1 & TIMED |Template:Success |Supported Earth monitoring, solar wind research, and ocean altimetry missions in partnership with NASA and CNES. | ||||||
| 75–80 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta series |Iridium IS-1, Aqua, ICESat, CHIPSat, Gravity Probe B, Aura, NOAA-18 |Template:Success |Crucial missions encompassing communications, hydrological cycle studies, ice sheet observation, tests of general relativity, ozone layer analysis, and NOAA weather forecasting. | ||||||
| 81–85 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta series |CloudSat, CALIPSO, NROL-21, COSMO-SkyMed satellites, WorldView-1 |Template:Success |Launches included defense reconnaissance, Earth observation, and commercial imaging payloads. This period featured the first ULA-operated Delta II flight carrying classified satellites. | ||||||
| 86–92 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta series |Jason-2, GeoEye-1, COSMO-SkyMed series, NOAA-19, STSS-ATRR, WorldView-2, Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer |Template:Success |Ongoing support for ocean altimetry, commercial imaging platforms, meteorological satellites, missile warning system tests, and infrared astronomical surveys. | ||||||
| 93–95 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta series |COSMO-SkyMed 4, SAC-D, Suomi NPP |Template:Success |Satellites dedicated to Earth observation and environmental data collection aimed at climate studies and improving numerical weather prediction models. | ||||||
| 96–99 | Various |Delta II |Thor-Delta series |Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, Soil Moisture Active Passive, NOAA-20, ICESat-2 |Template:Success |Final missions concentrated on measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide, mapping soil moisture, environmental monitoring, and ice sheet research. These flights marked the conclusion of Delta II and Thor-derived launch vehicle operations. |
Alpha
All launches conducted by Firefly Aerospace.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Mission name | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 3 September 2021 | 01:59 | Firefly Alpha | DREAM | Rideshare payload | Template:Failure | Firefly Alpha's inaugural flight and Firefly Aerospace's first orbital attempt. Engine malfunction occurred 15 seconds after liftoff, resulting in loss of control at transonic speeds and activation of range safety procedures 2 minutes 30 seconds post-launch. |
| 101 | 1 October 2022 | 07:01 | Firefly Alpha | "To the Black" | TechEdSat-15 and other payloads | Template:Partial failure | Rideshare mission featuring educational satellites. Achieved initial orbit insertion, but payloads were deployed into a lower orbit than intended, causing reentry within one week. |
| 102 | 15 September 2023 | 02:28 | Firefly Alpha | Tactically Responsive Space-3 | VICTUS NOX | Template:Success | Executed as part of the United States Space Force initiative aimed at rapid payload deployment and launch. Marked Firefly Alpha's first completely successful mission. |
| 103 | 22 December 2023 | 17:32 | Firefly Alpha | "Fly the Lightning" | Tantrum | Template:Partial failure | Demonstration satellite for Lockheed Martin. An issue with second stage ignition resulted in the payload being placed into a lower orbit, shortening mission lifespan. |
| 104 | 4 July 2024 | 04:04 | Firefly Alpha | "Noise of Summer" | VCLS Demo-2FB | Template:Success | |
| 105 | 29 April 2025 | 13:37 | Firefly Alpha | "Message in a Booster" | LM-400 Demo | Template:Failure | Lockheed Martin demo satellite. A malfunction during stage separation led to loss of the second stage engine bell, reducing thrust and causing orbital insertion failure. |
Launch history
All Thor and its derivatives launched by the United States Air Force. Delta and Thorad rocket missions managed by NASA.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Configuration | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 December 1958 | 23:44 | PGM-17 Thor | Thor DM-18A | Suborbital test flight | Template:Success | First launch from LC-75-1-1 and initial Thor launch at Vandenberg; mission conducted in cooperation with the Royal Air Force. |
| 2–4 (1959) | PGM-17 Thor | Thor DM-18A | Suborbital tests | Mostly successful | Series of tests with the Royal Air Force; final missile test at LC-75-1-1 ended unsuccessfully. | ||
| 5–7 (1961) | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / Agena-B | Discoverer KH series satellites | Mixed outcomes | First orbital launches from LC-75-1; failures mainly linked to Agena hydraulic system problems. | ||
| 8–10 (1961–62) | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / Agena-B or D | CORONA KH series satellites | Mixed results | Failures caused by guidance inaccuracies or orbital insertion difficulties. | ||
| 11–13 (1962) | Thor-Agena | Thor DM-21 / Agena-B or D | Scientific payloads including Canada's inaugural satellite Alouette 1 | Successful launches with some partial failures | |||
| 14–18 (1963) | Thor-Agena and Thor-Ablestar variants | CORONA KH series and Transit satellites equipped with RTGs | Primarily successful launches interspersed with some failures | ||||
| 19–23 (1964) | Combination of Thor-Agena and Ablestar models | Transit navigation satellites, Echo communications balloon, Nimbus weather spacecraft | Predominantly successful; one partial failure due to eccentric Nimbus orbit | ||||
| 24–30 (1964–65) | Thor-Agena variants | CORONA KH series, Quill radar imaging satellite, Orbiting Geophysical Observatory spacecrafts | Mostly successful missions | ||||
| 31–38 (1965–67) | Thor-Agena, Ablestar, Delta E configurations | Nimbus meteorological satellites, Transit navigation system, ESSA weather satellites, Explorer program payloads | Consistent success supporting meteorological and geophysical research efforts | ||||
| 39–45 (1967–69) | Delta E, Thorad-Agena variants | Explorer program satellites, Nimbus weather satellites, Orbiting Geophysical Observatory payloads | Mostly successful; one failure attributed to gyro installation error | ||||
| 46–52 (1969–72) | Thorad SLV-2G/H, Delta N/L configurations | Nimbus series, Orbiting Geophysical Observatory, ITOS weather satellites for NOAA, HEOS communications satellite for European Space Research Organisation | Final launches from SLC-2E; generally successful except for an oxidizer leak causing ITOS-B mission failure. |