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4th Space Launch Squadron

Field	Value
unit_name	4th Space Launch Squadron
image	Ignition of AV-035 on SLC-3E with LDCM on board.jpg
image_size	300px
caption	The Landsat Data Continuity Mission spacecraft launches aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle
dates	1994-1998; 2003-2019
country
branch
role	Space Launch
command_structure	Air Force Space Command
garrison	Vandenberg AFB, California
decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
identification_symbol	[[File:4th Space Launch Squadron.jpg	165px]]
identification_symbol_label	4th Space Launch Squadron emblem (approved 31 March 1995)

The United States Air Force's 4th Space Launch Squadron was a space launch unit located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. It was active at Vandenberg from 1994 to 1998 and again from 2003 to 2019. It launched various satellites into orbit from the complex of launch pads at Vandenberg.

Mission

The 4th Space Launch Squadron was the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch agency for the West Coast. The EELV system is a liquid-fueled first stage Common Booster Core (CBC) that can be used alone, with strap-on solid fuel rocket boosters, or as a configuration of three CBCs acting as a more powerful booster.

History

The squadron was activated at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on 15 April 1994. Until it was inactivated in June 1998, it launched surveillance and meteorological satellites into polar orbit.

After reactivation in 2003, the squadron managed operations for EELVs. The EELV program was intended to develop provide alternatives to older and expensive heavy-lift launch vehicles, such as the Titan IV. EELVs include: : The Boeing Delta IV. There are different configurations for the Delta IV, which can lift payloads from 9,000 lb to over 13,000 lb into Geosynchronous Orbit. : The Lockheed Martin Atlas V. This system also has different available configurations, and can lift payloads between 10,000 lb and 30,000 lb to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. : The Delta II, a heritage vehicle smaller than the newer Delta IV. The Delta II can have up to nine external rockets strapped to its main stage, increasing lift capability. It can send approximately 4,000 lb into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

Lineage

Constituted as the 4th Space Launch Squadron on 29 March 1994 : Activated on 15 April 1994 : Inactivated on 29 June 1998 : Activated on 1 December 2003 : Inactivated on 31 May 2019 (in merger with 1st Air and Space Test Squadron as 2nd Space Launch Squadron)

Assignments

30th Operations Group, 15 April 1994 – 29 June 1998
30th Launch Group, 1 Dec 2003 – 20 July 2018
30th Operations Group, 20 July 2018 – 31 May 2019

Stations

Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, 15 April 1994 – 29 June 1998
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, 1 December 2003 – 31 May 2019

Decorations

Launch Vehicles

Titan II (1997–1998)
Titan IV (1995–1997)
Delta IV (2003–2019)
Atlas V (2003–2019)

References

Notes

Bibliography

References

(March 17, 2015). "Factsheet 4 Space Launch Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
No byline. (February 1, 2007). "About us: 4th Space Launch Squadron". 30th Space Wing Public Affairs.

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

military-units-and-formations-in-california space-squadrons-of-the-united-states-air-force

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