GaviotaCoastConservancy
By Doug Kern of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy
A SpaceX proposal to conduct 36 annual rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base will be back once again before the Coastal Commission next week, part of SpaceX’s expected ramp-up to 50 and eventually 100 annual launches by 2025.
The Gaviota Coastal Conservancy (GCC) appreciates that a strong space program is important to our national security and economic competitiveness. However, rocket launch activity from Vandenberg manifests a range of environmental impacts, including the exposure of sensitive wildlife species to extremely loud noise events and sonic booms, public beach closures, and marine debris. With annual launches in the single digits until just recently, these impacts were minimal. However, the exponential increase in launch activity that is underway could result in serious and lasting harm.
The environmental effects of 36 annual SpaceX launches, which are already occurring, must be thoroughly studied and understood before any additional increases are considered.
The monitoring of sensitive species that Base leadership has previously agreed to undertake is insufficient to ensure that rare and important wildlife habitats can continue to thrive on the Base. The analysis and reporting of monitoring data recommended in the Commission Staff Report (Condition 1) is also essential. What’s missing is the development and implementation of protective measures to respond to any documented harm.
The Coastal Commission has voiced strong concerns about increased rocket launch activity generally and this SpaceX project specifically. We encourage members of the public to speak up and support the Commission and Commission staff. Let Vandenberg Space Force Base leadership and SpaceX know:
- Increased launch activity cannot come at the expense of the environment.
- Slow down the pace of launch increases until their impacts can be studied and understood.
- Develop contingency plans to avoid or lessen any impacts that are identified.
- Cooperate with the Coastal Commission, County Parks, and the local community to help safeguard our coastal resources.
Comments can be made in person (in Calabasas) or via zoom at the Commission’s hearing on Thursday August 8th and/or submitted in advance through the Commission’s website under Item Th.9.c.
A small fraction of the launches are for public benefit – which is how they get approval. They are riding the backs of the taxpayers to make monumental profits from these launches. Have SpaceX go to Texas where they can skirt environmental damages, not here. Unlike a Texas voting majority, a voting majority of Californians know what the real cost of the launches are (to our wildlife and our air.)
The damage is done in either California or Texas – why not keep them here under our control and taxes.
California sure makes it hard to do business. How long will spacex stay in California?
They will launch their rockets either here or in Texas.
Good riddance.
Crank up the taxes on it. The Coastal Commission has massive power over what happens along our coast. All the stuff about monitoring birds is bs.
Space X will continue to launch here because a launch from Vandenberg can go into a different orbit than from TX
“Vandenberg, California (launch facility): chosen because SpaceX could take advantage of already existing launch infrastructure that gives access to 66°-145° inclination orbits”
Vandenberg and NASA will continue to allow Space X to rent the facility for the following reasons:
$$$
$$$
$$$
Space X is the only provider who can bring people home from the Space Station- Boeing has failed
Space X is the lowest best bidder with multiple contracts with USAF and NASA
US has a defense interest in Starlink
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West coast is getting splashdowns:
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/spacex-moving-dragon-splashdowns-to-pacific-to-solve-falling-debris-problem/