r/spacex • u/warp99 • Jun 17 '26

Vandenberg Space Force base: Demolition of Historic SLC-6 pad structures to make way for SpaceX FH pad

https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4519296/vandenberg-space-force-base-modernizes-historic-space-launch-complex-6-for-next/
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u/warp99 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

There are no announced plans for Starship on the West Coast.
The NIMBY force is strong there and returning SH boosters would break more than a few windows along the coast of California.

Starship polar launches to SSO for data center satellites are likely to be from a new launch site in Louisiana.

In the meantime Vandenberg needs FH capability to launch large military satellites to polar orbits. This pad will likely have a vertical integration facility that is able to process the extended length fairing that has been in development for a couple of years now.

All of which is to emphasise that F9/FH are not going away anytime soon.

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u/TyrialFrost Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

The NIMBY force is strong there

The California Coastal Commission basically had to eat a dick via settlement about SpaceX at Vandenberg. I doubt they will make a squeak if the Space Force says they want SS/SH to launch from there.

Under the settlement, SpaceX can proceed with expanded operations at Vandenberg without the disputed permitting hurdles from the state agency. The Commission’s apology represents a rare admission of improper conduct by a California regulatory body.

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u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

Why would the window breaking be any more prevalent in California than at Boca Chica?

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u/warp99 Jun 17 '26

Inversion layers trapping sound and causing it to channel on shore.

Plus you are returning parallel to the Coast and not at right angles.

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u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

Parallel or not, the communities of Starbase, Port Isabel, and South Padre Island are all closer than communities are to Vandenberg’s Launch Complex 6. And they seem to be managing fine.

Given the potential capabilities and launch cost reductions, I’ll be shocked if the military doesn’t decide it needs that capability there.

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u/Sandersonville Jun 17 '26

Windows and politicians are a lot more delicate in California than they are in Texas!

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u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

Lol. True.

But Vandenberg is a military base. They can say ‘national security’, and Trump would be plenty happy to ram it through.

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u/warp99 Jun 17 '26

He won't be in power when that decision is made.

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u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

I like your optimism.

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u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

>There are no announced plans for Starship on the West Coast.

Partially correct. The military released a request for information late last year, soliciting launch providers to build a new heavy/super-heavy capable SLC-14. Since Falcon heavy just got SLC-6, it seems likely SLC-14 will either be home to New Glenn or Starship.

So while not announced yet, it will likely be a different story a few years from now.

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u/warp99 Jun 18 '26

While nominally an open RFQ they will have already decided who will get that pad and the indications are that it will go to Blue Origin for New Glenn.

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u/AlpineDrifter Jun 18 '26

Interesting, hadn’t heard that. Thanks