Lift Off

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Team Vandenberg launched a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) from Space Launch Complex-6 here at 4:12 p.m. PDT Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The launch was the Department of Defense's first-ever Delta IV Medium launch vehicle configured with a 5-meter payload fairing and two solid rocket motors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)

Lift Off!

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Team Vandenberg launched a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) from Space Launch Complex-6 here at 4:12 p.m. PDT Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The launch was the Department of Defense’s first-ever Delta IV Medium launch vehicle configured with a 5-meter payload fairing and two solid rocket motors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Vandenberg’s new simulator; virtual excellence

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A refurbished Titan II engine hangs in Bogart Bay here Thursday, March 8, 2012. Members of the 4th Space Launch Squadron reused surplus materials found around base to complete their training facility. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

Vandenberg’s new simulator; virtual excellence

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Tech. Sgt. Kevin Sisk, 4th Space Launch Squadron mission assurance technician, connects wires in a trainer while 2nd Lt. Megan Kuchan, 4th SLS infrastructure officer in-charge looks on here Thursday, March 8, 2012. Bogart Bay is a realistic training facility built to mimic the interior of a launch pad. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

NASA's NuStar satellite assembly

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A fairing is installed on NASA's NuStar satellite Friday, Mar. 2, 2012 to protect the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere and into space. The satellite will be mated to Orbital Science's Pegasus rocket. (U.S. Air Force photo/Doug Gruben)

Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test from a launch facility on north Vandenberg Friday, Feb. 25, 2012. Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joe Davila)

Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test from a launch facility on north Vandenberg Friday, Feb. 25, 2012. Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joe Davila)

Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test from a launch facility on north Vandenberg Friday, Feb. 25, 2012. Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joe Davila)

Delta Mariner offloads launch components at Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The United Launch Alliance Delta Mariner, transporting a Delta IV first stage, second stage and payload fairings for an anticipated 2012 launch, docks at the Vandenberg Boat Dock on South Base Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. The Mariner departed Decatur, Ala., and traveled approximately 5,000 miles over a three week period to reach Vandenberg. (Courtesy photo)

Team Vandenberg launches Delta II rocket

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Delta II rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 2 here Oct. 28, 2011. The rocket carried NASA's NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite into orbit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)

Team Vandenberg launches Minotaur IV

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg launched a Minotaur IV from Space Launch Complex-8 here at 7:45 a.m. Aug. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dan Liberotti)

Minotaur IV scheduled to launch August 10

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Members from the 30th Launch Group, 1st Air and Space Test Squadron, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Space Port Systems International, Space Development and Test Directorate, Space and Missile Center and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency pose in front of a Minotaur IV rocket at Space Launch Complex-8 here Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011. The Minotaur IV will carry the HTV-2 scheduled to launch Aug. 10 between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Scottie McCord)