New rocket launch site could boost West Coast role in US spaceflight

The U.S. Space Force is developing a new launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California, to accommodate small and medium-class rockets. The base, previously known as Vandenberg Air Force Base, is issuing a request for information (RFI) for Space Launch Complex 9 (SLC-9), targeting commercial spaceflight providers interested in leasing the site. Responses are due within 30 days, with the selected company expected to begin operations within three years. The Space Force highlights SLC-9’s proximity to existing infrastructure, making it ideal for rocket launches. Col. James Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30, described the project as a strategic priority supporting U.S. space launch growth and national security. The initiative aims to attract industry leaders like Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance (ULA), which are also planning West Coast launches. Vandenberg Space Force Base, established in 1941, already hosts SpaceX, which leases Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC-4E) and conducts frequent Falcon 9 launches. SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, primarily uses the site for Starlink broadband satellite deployments. The new launch site would further diversify the base’s capabilities, reinforcing California’s role in U.S. spaceflight. The Space Force’s RFI outlines plans for the selected provider to construct and operate launch facilities at SLC-9. The project aligns with broader efforts to expand West Coast launch capacity, reducing reliance on East Coast sites like Cape Canaveral. If successful, the initiative could create new jobs and strengthen California’s position in the growing commercial space industry.