January 23, USAF SpaceX EIS Scoping Meeting on expanding operations and launches to 100/year at Vandenberg

Thursday, January 23
6 pm Pacific Time
Virtual public meeting
US Space Force, Vandenberg

The Dept. of Air Force is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on changes to the SpaceX launch program at Vandenberg, and seeking public comments. Proposals include:

• Increasing SpaceX launches to 100 per year, and
• Expanding launch operations and facilities

ONLINE
Join the Meeting
https://mantech.zoomgov.com/j/1608982564
Zoom Meeting ID:160 898 2564

BY PHONE
Call in #: 1-669-254-5252
Zoom Meeting ID: 160 898 2564

Written comments due January 27, 2025 – see below

Summary Fact Sheet
English
Spanish

>> Alternatives being analyzed in the EIS are
Proposed Action, Alternative 1, and the No Action Alternative

• • Under the Proposed Action, the DAF would authorize Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch and landing operations at SLC-6, including modifications to SLC-6 required to support those operations and construction of landing zones. The DAF would also authorize an increase in Falcon 9 launches from SLC-4, which currently hosts Falcon 9 launch operations, and an increase in downrange landings on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean. The overall launch cadence for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy at both SLCs, combined, would be 100 launches per year. No modification of SLC-4 infrastructure is proposed. The FAA would issue or modify a vehicle operator license for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations and approve corresponding temporary airspace closures for operations. Under the Proposed Action, the existing horizontal integration facility (HIF) located north of SLC-6 would be modified into a hangar for use by SpaceX to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations.
• • Alternative 1 is the same as the Proposed Action except rather than modifying the existing HIF, DAF would authorize SpaceX to construct a new hangar south of the HIF and north of the launch pad at SLC-6.
• • Under the No Action Alternative, the DAF would not authorize any Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy launches or landing operations at, or modifications to, SLC-6, nor would the DAF authorize additional Falcon 9 launches from SLC-4. SpaceX would not apply for an FAA vehicle operator license for Falcon operations at SLC-6 or increased launches from SLC-4.

Public Comments:

Comments must be postmarked or received electronically by Jan. 27, 2025. Public scoping comments can be submitted in English or Spanish in the following ways:

• • In-person at one of the three public scoping meetings
• • Via online comment form
• • Email to: info@VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com, with the subject line “Falcon EIS”
• • Mail to:

ATTN: VSFB Falcon Launch EIS
c/o ManTech International Corporation
420 Stevens Avenue, Suite 100
Solana Beach, CA 92075

The DAF will consider each comment during the EIS process, and all comments will become part of the public record. Comments, including attachments, must not exceed a 20-megabyte file size. Do not submit confidential, sensitive, or protected information.

Next steps:

• The DAF will release at draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and open another public comment period in Spring/Summer 2025.
• Following that, DAF will issue a final EIS in Fall 2025.

More information:
https://vsfbfalconlauncheis%5Bdot%5Dcom/