Replies

That is correct, the missile was never fired. There could be several reasons for a ground abort. Any one of a sequence of events could stop a launch and cause a ground abort.

There are systems to protect and re-use the launch facility that are unique to Vandenberg and are not part of the weapon system. I was part of the squadron that maintained these test facilities in the late 70's-early 80's. They rely on microswitches sequencing hardware and unique signal cabling to assure openings are sealed or opened as required.

There could be security concerns about unauthorized people near the launch facility. We had peace groups intentionally trying to infiltrate the safety zone and get caught to stop a launch. They would wait until a launch looked probable (the public is advised of a launch window) then light a flare or do something similar to attract attention, They would then hide in the very rugged chapparal in the North Vandenberg area. They had to be apprehended or the area searched to assure they were gone before the launch could proceed.

Then there is the possibility of a maintenance or system failure in the launch support equipment or the missile malfunctioning. But, that is the whole purpose of the launches anyway, to assess the reliability of the Minuteman weapon system. They are called "FOOT Shots" for Fleetwide Operational Test and Evaluation.

You can sleep well with the knowledge that Minuteman is an extremely reliable system and that is why an abort is unusual enough to make the news.