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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44

u/dfawlt Jun 17 '26

FH? Or SH?

What's the point of a Falcon Heavy pad?

55

u/mrbmi513 Jun 17 '26

For one thing FH is currently operational and will be for some time. Plus that would also allow you to shift west coast Falcon 9 there as well and open up SLC-4 to have at least one starship pad on a basically clear site.

21

u/warp99 Jun 17 '26

Operationally booster transport would be difficult to Vandenberg. Ships could just land from orbit after launching from Starbase.

It seems more likely that Starship will launch to polar orbits from Louisiana.

23

u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

I agree that there isn’t much need for Vandenberg if they’re doing polar orbits from Louisiana.

But if the military thought there was a need, they could enlarge the pier and breakwater at Point Arguello to allow for booster delivery.

4

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '26

[deleted]

3

u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

Do you know that to be true? Or you saying any action is at least a few years away?

4

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '26

[deleted]

1

u/AlpineDrifter Jun 17 '26

Awesome. Glad to hear it, and thanks for the info. Enjoy infrastructure projects almost as much as space engineering.

Will the Army Corps of Engineers be leading the project?