West Pad Landing Zone

Paving the Way for 21st Century Aerospace

Precision has updated multiple launch pads and support facilities at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, CA. The West Pad Landing Zone is among the most noteworthy: Our planning, cost analysis, and design-build services fast-tracked the project to meet the client’s tight deadline and literally pave the way for the West Coast’s first rocket landing on terra firma.

Precision acted as the owner’s representative, advisor, project manager and field supervisor for design (civil, structural and geotechnical engineering consultants) and construction (earthwork and heavy civil, reinforced concrete, asphalt, utilities and specialty subcontractors).

The project included erosion control, survey and staking, clearing and grubbing the site; cut/fill of 18,500 cubic yards to establish rough grade; 12,850 square feet of geo–grid for soil stabilization and reception of engineered fill; 1,680 square feet of structural retaining walls; underground utilities including storm drain, water/fire and dry utilities, concrete curb, gutter and mobile crane aprons; 14,850 square feet of 4-inch paving over 13–inch aggregate bas; a structural bridge over an existing underground bunker, and water cannons surrounding the landing site.

The landing facility itself consisted of a 300-foot diameter landing pad with FONDAG coating for thermal shock resistance, transfer crane, rocket test-fire apparatus. As a direct result of Precision’s efforts, the project was delivered not only ahead of the client’s aggressive construction schedule, but also for less than the client’s tight budget.