SpaceX launch plans for 2026 continue to raise concerns with the California Coastal Commission
John Palminteri
CALABASAS, Calif. – The California Coastal Commission says the Air Force has not submitted enough information about the expansion project at Vandenberg Space Force base to allow the commission to make an appropriate decision.
One of the issues is the sound impacts on the rockets, especially with a launch approximately every three days with the expansion that is planned.
There will be about 50 launches this year. In 2026 the goal is 100 launches.
The plans include not just the Falcon 9 rockets that are used now with a booster that is returned to either an offshore or on shore pad, but also a larger rocket. That is called a Falcon Heavy with a total of three booster engines.
The commission says SpaceX launches are a federal activity. The commission says SpaceX is a privately owned company.
The majority of the launches now are to put the Starlink Satellites into a low earth orbit.
The Department of the Air Force did not comment at the meeting taking place in Calabasas. Information about its research on sound levels from launches and areas that could be impacted were provided.
SpaceX did not speak and there was no indication that anyone was in attendance.
Many of the concerns were around impacts to seals, sea lions, otters, butterflies and endangered species such as the Snowy Plover shore bird.
Past meetings have had public comments from residents nearly 100 miles away in Ojai.
The commissioners said they want to keep the communication open with Vandenberg and SpaceX on reducing impacts as the launches go forward.