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Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC)
American launch site, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and operated by the 30th Wing of the Air Force Space Command. From WSMC the Western Test Range extends westward over the Pacific Ocean and into the Indian Ocean where it meets the Eastern Test Range. Most spacecraft launches from Vandenberg, however, take place not westward (which would be in opposition to the Earth’s spin direction) but southward into polar orbits and included surveillance satellites, low earth orbit (LEO) weather satellites, and environmental and terrain monitoring satellites such as Landsat. Polar launches are particularly from safe WSMC because the next land mass south of the site is Antarctica.
Related categories
• LAUNCH SITES
• MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History
Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site)