Description
Book SynopsisOn December 16, 1958, a Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile became the first rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB, California. Established from the remnants of a WWII and Korean War training base named Camp Cooke, the USAF selected the location to operationally test intercontinental-range ballistic missiles over the Pacific Ocean. Over the decades, Vandenberg has seen over 1,900 launches of more than 70 varieties of rockets and missiles. This book chronicles the launches by rocket/missile, launchpad location, and payload. Many never-before-seen photographs illustrate the variety of space launch vehicles used to lift national-security satellites into orbit, as well as the operational testing of the missiles used by United States nuclear-alert forces. The launches at Vandenberg helped drive the technological innovation and deterrence that helped the US win the Cold War.
Trade Review"This is an impressive work of reference...Each missile featured in the book has a brief history of the programme, a designation of purpose (ICBM, satellite-launch etc), a description of main components, and the firing history...Throughout the book, there are many high-quality photographs and detailed line drawings...This book will primarily appeal to missile historians and has a special place in US archives as a complete non-classified record of firings from one of its bases." - Tim Marshall, Aerospace, February 2021
