SpaceX Rocket Launch Increases at Vandenberg Space Force Base

In May 2023, the Commission concurred with a federal consistency determination submitted by the Department of Air Force (DAF) to increase SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force from 6 to 36 launches per year. Soon after, Commission staff learned that the number of temporary closures and evacuations of the beach and campground at Jalama Beach due to SpaceX launches surpassed the annual maximum that DAF committed not to exceed, resulting in the “re-opening” of the consistency determination. Since then, heightened concerns of additional issues were raised related to the rocket launches, including far-reaching sonic booms, marine debris, beach access, marine life impacts, disturbances to marine protected areas, and more. The staff recommendation suggests several additional common sense conditions to ensure public resources are protected, including enhanced biological monitoring and reporting, mitigation for coastal access disturbances, marine debris mitigation and a fishing coordination plan. DAF stated their opposition to the conditions at the hearing and refused to answer any questions from the Commission, igniting concerns and disappointment amongst Commissioners. Despite Vandenberg’s objection, the Commission unanimously approved the staff recommendation for conditional concurrence.

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Increased rocket launches may have significant impacts to marine and coastal resources and should be carefully monitored and evaluated. Vandenberg’s refusal to adopt the Commission’s common sense conditions such as a sonic boom minimization plan and enhanced biological monitoring and reporting demonstrates a disregard for public resources and marine life. Coastal Commission staff have diligently worked to approve the increase in rocket launches in a way that is consistent with state and federal law, but Vandenberg, and by extension SpaceX, are unwilling to cooperate. Corporate interests should not take precedence over protection of California’s public resources and sensitive marine life.