Proposed Action

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate 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);
• •    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) issuance or modification of a vehicle operator license to Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations at VSFB and approval of related airspace closures.

The DAF will consider the potential impacts the Proposed Action and alternatives may have on the environment. The DAF is the lead agency for the EIS, and the FAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are cooperating agencies for the EIS.

Alternatives

The DAF has identified a Proposed Action, Alternative 1, and the No Action Alternative to be carried forward in the EIS.

• •  Under the Proposed Action, the DAF would 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 would increase from 50 Falcon 9 launches per year at SLC-4 to 100 launches per year for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy at both SLCs combined. The existing horizontal integration facility (HIF) located north of SLC–6 would be modified into a hangar for use by SpaceX. 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 HIF located north of SLC-6 would be modified into a hangar for use by SpaceX to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations.
• •  Under Alternative 1, the DAF would implement the Proposed Action, but rather than modifying the existing HIF, the DAF would authorize SpaceX to construct a new hangar south of the HIF and north of SLC-6 to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy integration and processing.
• •  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. The FAA would not modify or issue a vehicle operator license for Falcon operations at SLC-6 or increase Falcon 9 launches at SLC-4.

Public Scoping Period

On Dec. 13, 2024, the DAF published a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of authorizing changes to the Falcon launch program at VSFB. The release of the NOI initiated the 45-day public scoping period, which extended from Dec. 13, 2024, through Jan. 27, 2025. Public scoping is conducted in the early stages of the EIS development to solicit comments from the public and agencies about potential issues that should be analyzed in the EIS (e.g., range of actions, alternatives, environmental effects).

The Proposed Action and Alternatives are within portions of wetlands and floodplains; therefore, the Proposed Action is subject to the requirements and objectives of Executive Order 11988 “Floodplain Management” and Executive Order 11990 “Protection of Wetlands.”

Public Scoping Meetings

The DAF held three in-person public scoping meetings and a virtual public scoping meeting to inform the public about the Proposed Action and accept comments on the scope of the analysis. During the “open house” in-person public scoping meetings, project team members were available to provide information, and the public was encouraged to provide comments. Scoping meeting materials were provided in English and Spanish at the in-person scoping meetings and are available online under the Public Documents heading.

In-Person Public Scoping Meetings (5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Pacific Time)
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025          Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1679, 3801 Market St., Ventura, CA
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025     Westside Neighborhood Center, 423 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara, CA
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025         Dick DeWees Community Center, 1120 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc, CA 

Virtual Public Scoping Meeting (6 p.m. Pacific Time)

The virtual public scoping meeting consisted of a narrated slideshow highlighting the exhibit boards that were originally presented during the in-person meetings. Click here to view the recording of the Virtual Public Scoping Meeting.

Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to increase the space launch mission capability of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and other federal and commercial customers and to enhance the resilience and capacity of the nation’s space launch infrastructure, while promoting a robust and competitive national space industry. As directed by U.S. policy (10 USC Section 2273, “Policy regarding assured access to space: national security payloads”; see also the White House’s 2021 Space Priorities Framework), the United States seeks to provide greater launch and landing capabilities and infrastructure to support national security objectives, including deploying satellites and other space assets that enable intelligence, reconnaissance, and global security operations. The United States aims to promote a hybrid space architecture that diversifies access to space, reduces dependency on singular systems, and ensures rapid reconstitution capabilities.

The Proposed Action is needed to meet current and 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, geostationary, and other orbits less reliably available elsewhere without compromising current launch capabilities. The Proposed Action is also needed to expand launch capacity by returning heavy-lift launch capability to the Western Range. Finally, the Proposed Action is needed to fulfill (in part) 10 U.S.C. Section 2276(a), “Commercial space launch cooperation,” authorizing the Secretary of Defense to:

• •  Maximize the use of the capacity of the space transportation infrastructure by the DOD by the private sector in the U.S.;
• •  Maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD;
• •  Reduce the cost of services provided by the DOD related to space transportation infrastructure and launch support facilities and space recovery facilities; 
• •  Encourage commercial space activities by enabling investment by covered entities in the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD; and
• • Foster cooperation between the DOD and covered entities. “Covered entity” means a non-federal entity that is organized under the laws of the U.S. or of any jurisdiction within the U.S. and is engaged in commercial space activities.

National Historic Preservation Act Section 106

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the potential effects of their actions on historic properties and look for ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate them. The DAF’s outreach efforts will support consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations. Members of the public were invited to participate, provide comments, or raise concerns regarding potential impacts on historic properties.

Project Timeline

Public Documents

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