The California Coastal Commission voted 9-0 on Thursday to oppose a U.S. Space Force plan to nearly double the number of SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The state agency charged with protecting California’s expansive coastline cited unanswered questions about the environmental and community impacts of the proposed expansion.
“The sonic booms and their impacts on California’s people, wildlife, and property are extremely concerning,” Commissioner Linda Escalante said. “The negative impacts on public access, natural resources, and environmental health warrant our scrutiny under California as a standard of review.”
The plan would raise the ceiling from 50 Falcon 9 launches per year to 95, and allow up to five Falcon Heavy launches annually, along with construction of two new landing zones at the Santa Barbara County facility. In its staff report, the commission said the Department of the Air Force and Space Force had not provided sufficient data on the cumulative effects of the increased launches — from sonic booms and marine debris to possible harm to marine mammal breeding areas and protected coastal zones.