VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Air Force (DAF) prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that includes an analysis of the potential environmental effects associated with:
- The DAF’s authorization of the redevelopment of Space Launch Complex (SLC)-6 to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations, including launch and landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California;
- The DAF’s authorization of an increase in Falcon 9 launches and landings at VSFB and downrange landings in the Pacific Ocean; and
- The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) licensing Space Exploration Technologies Corporation’s (SpaceX) Falcon operations at VSFB and approval of related airspace closures.
FINAL EIS AVAILABILITY AND RECORD OF DECISION
The DAF selected Alternative 1 after considering the need to meet near-term U.S. Government space launch requirements from the DoD space launch range that supports launches centered at VSFB (Western Range), specifically for medium- and heavy-lift launches to polar and other orbits less reliably available elsewhere without compromising current launch capabilities.
Following the completion of the Final EIS, the DAF signed a Record of Decision (ROD) on Oct. 10, 2025, to authorize changes to the Falcon Launch Program at VSFB. The DAF has decided to increase the annual Falcon launch cadence at VSFB through launch and landing operations at SLC-4 and SLC-6, including modification of SLC-6 for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles to support future U.S. Government and commercial launch service needs. The overall launch cadence will increase from 50 Falcon 9 launches per year at SLC-4 to up to 100 launches per year for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy at both SLCs combined. Falcon Heavy, which has not previously launched from VSFB, would launch and land up to five times per year from and at SLC-6. The DAF has selected Alternative 1, which implements the Proposed Action, but rather than modifying the existing horizontal integration facility, the DAF authorizes SpaceX to construct a new hangar south of the horizontal integration facility and north of SLC-6 to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy integration and processing. The FAA, as a cooperating agency, participated in the preparation of the EIS, but will issue an independent ROD based on its conclusions.
The Final EIS and signed ROD are available for viewing or download on the project website at www.VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com and at www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Environmental/EAS/. Printed copies are available to view at the following information repositories:
- Avenue Library, 606 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, CA 93001
- E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001
- Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436
- Ojai Library, 111 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023
- Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, CA 93454
- South Oxnard Branch Library, 4300 Saviers Road, Oxnard, CA 93033
- Vandenberg Space Force Base Library, 100 Community Loop, Building 10343A, Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437
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Media can contact SLD 30 Public Affairs at (805)606-3595 or sld30.pa.workflow@us.af.mil