4th Space Launch Squadron
The Landsat Data Continuity Mission spacecraft launches aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle
Active	1994-1998; 2003-2019
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Space Launch
Part of	Air Force Space Command
Garrison/HQ	Vandenberg AFB , California
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award [1]
Insignia
4th Space Launch Squadron emblem (approved 31 March 1995) [1]

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 [ edit ]

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. ^[2]

History [ edit ]

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 . ^[1]

After reactivation in 2003, the squadron managed operations for EELVs. ^[1] 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. ^[2]

Lineage [ edit ]

• 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 ^[1]

Inactivated on 31 May 2019 (in merger with 1st Air and Space Test Squadron as 2nd Space Launch Squadron )

Assignments [ edit ]

• 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 ^[1]

Stations [ edit ]

• Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, 15 April 1994 ? 29 June 1998
• Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, 1 December 2003 ^[1] ? 31 May 2019

Decorations [ edit ]

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1994 ? 30 September 1996	4th Space Launch Squadron [1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1996 ? 30 September 1997	4th Space Launch Squadron [1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 January 1997 ? 31 December 1997	4th Space Launch Squadron [1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 January 1998 ? 29 June 1998	4th Space Launch Squadron [1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 2009 ? 30 September 2010	4th Space Launch Squadron [1]

Launch Vehicles [ edit ]

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

References [ edit ]

Notes [ edit ]

Bibliography [ edit ]

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency