Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
June 8, 2025
On Sunday, June 8 at 7:20 a.m., Falcon 9 launched 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
This was the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, NROL-57, and now three Starlink missions.
Watch Falcon 9 launch 26 @Starlink satellites to orbit from California https://t.co/3DAdeUDXPy
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 8, 2025
SpaceX Targets Sunday Morning Launch
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, June 8 for a Falcon 9 launch of 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Liftoff is targeted for 6:34 a.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:34 a.m. PT. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Monday, June 9 starting at 6:20 a.m. PT.
This will be the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, NROL-57 and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS and Public Comment Period
The DAF prepared a Draft EIS and published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on May 23, 2025, to announce the release of the Draft EIS and to initiate a 45-day public review and comment period, which closes July 7, 2025. The public is invited to review the Draft EIS and provide substantive comments on the Proposed Action and the environmental analysis. “Substantive” comments, in the context of an environmental analysis, are comments on the analysis that contain practical importance, value, or effect. Submitting substantive comments on the Proposed Action is a critical aspect of the public involvement process. The public’s involvement is an important part of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 processes.
VSFB_Falcon_Launch_Draft_EIS_May_2025.pdf (200 pp, 7,919 K)
https://cdxapps.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/public/action/eis/details?eisId=514981
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/06/04/space-force-shifts-upfront-range-upgrade-costs-to-commercial-firms/
As commercial space launch demand has grown in recent years, the Space Force’s ranges at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California have become the world’s busiest launch hubs. The ranges have seen a 30% annual increase in business for several years in a row and conducted 114 missions in 2024, the bulk of them from Cape Canaveral.
Those launch rates have put strain on range infrastructure, and the service has been weighing options for addressing the issue. The Space Force is investing nearly $1.4 billion through 2028 to widen roads to accommodate larger rockets, improve airfields, secure communication lines and increase power redundancy — part of an effort called Spaceport of the Future, which aims to run the ranges more like a commercial airport.
Let’s charge them more to launch and provide that money to the citizens of SB County – roadwork, schools, LE. Anything but pensions and consultants.
BASIC – why do you oppose pensions for police? Oh right, you support defunding federal law enforcement. Man….. hope you never need the cops!
Provide monies to affected communities for strain on infrastructure. Aid roads and rattled buildings in Lompoc /Vandenberg Village areas.
The Space Force this week revealed a new model for upgrading its East and West Coast ranges, shifting upfront costs that used to be borne by the government to the commercial launch companies that rely on the infrastructure.
Under a new $4 billion Space Force Range Contract, which will be managed by advisory and consulting firm Jacobs Technology, commercial launch firms will place task orders and pay directly for various services required to support their launches. That includes things like costly maintenance, sustainment, operations and systems engineering for aging range infrastructure.
Shifting to this new cost construct, the service said, also supports that goal. “This contract will transform the way operations, maintenance, sustainment, and systems engineering and integration services are provided at the Eastern and Western Ranges, to enable their eventual transformation into efficient, high-capacity multi-user spaceports,” the service said in the statement.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4203613/
Jacobs Technology Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee, was awarded a $4,000,000,000 ceiling hybrid, indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract for Space Force range contract. The contract provides for operations, maintenance, sustainment, systems engineering, and integration services support to Space Force objectives for the Eastern and Western ranges serving national security, space exploration, and commercial users. Work will be performed at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida; and Vandenberg SFB, California, to include areas of responsibility, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2035. This contract was a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance appropriations funds in the amount of $3,625,190 are being obligated at time of award.
https://www.amentum.com/news/amentum/
Amentum Announces Agreement to Merge with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence Businesses
Amentum announced today a definitive agreement to merge with Jacobs’ (NYSE:J) Critical Mission Solutions (CMS) and Cyber and Intelligence (C&I) businesses, creating a new leader in systems integration and technology solutions trusted by the United States and its allies to modernize their most complex missions around the world. The combined organization will be a publicly traded company with $13 billion in revenue and more than 53,000 employees in 83 countries.
“Uniting our great organizations – Amentum, CMS, and Cyber & Intelligence Solutions – creates a leading provider of systems integration and technology solutions with the talent, scope, scale and footprint to deliver excellence and a wider range of solutions for our clients,” commented Amentum CEO John Heller. “Our combined company will deliver extensive expertise in the government’s highest priority areas of energy, space exploration, intelligence and analytics, and digital modernization. We look forward to the union of our strong teams and a bright future ahead.”
The transaction was approved by the Jacobs board of directors and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of fiscal year 2024.
Governance and Management
Upon completion of the deal, John Heller, current CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combined company and sit on the combined company’s board, and Dr. Steve Arnette, EVP and President of CMS, will serve as COO. Jacobs’ current Executive Chair Steve Demetriou will become Executive Chair of the combined company.
The board of directors of the combined company will be composed of an equal number of directors appointed by Jacobs and Amentum. Members of the combined company’s senior management team will be drawn from both companies and will be announced later as integration planning progresses.
Strategic Rationale of the Combination
Creates a leading, pure play government technology solutions prime: ~$13 billion in combined revenue[1], with more than 80% from prime contracts serving the full program life cycle for government clients, and a combined talent base of more than 53,000 skilled employees – including more than 27,000 cleared employees.
Stable revenue base with attractive, diversified portfolio mix: Combines stable base of large government contracts with strong capabilities in growing client priority areas. A large majority of future EBITDA of the combined company is expected to come from higher growth, higher margin intelligence, cyber, energy, digital engineering, and science and technology sectors, with a strong foundation of long-term and large-scale DoD contracts.
Highly complementary strengths: Amentum brings expertise in engineering solutions, complex program management, and solutions integration to modernize customers’ most important missions. Jacobs’ contributed businesses bring world-class engineering and science capabilities, with unique expertise in sectors such as space, cyber & intelligence, and energy.
Shared vision and aligned values: Each organization brings an intense focus on the mission and delivery of the highest quality service for their clients. The organizations share common values, including a commitment to safety, inclusion and diversity, and creation of enhanced opportunities for the combined employee base.
Advisors
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Amentum and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal advisor. Centerview Partners LLC and Perella Weinberg Partners LP are serving as financial advisors to Jacobs and Wachtell Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor. Goldman Sachs provided financial advice to the Jacobs Board of Directors.
Draft EIS Public Hearings
The DAF is holding three in-person public hearings and a virtual public hearing to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and provide input.
In-Person Public Hearings (5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Pacific Time)
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Four Points by Sheraton/Ventura Harbor Resort, 1050 Schooner Dr., Ventura, CA 93001
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Hilton Garden Inn, 1201 North H St., Lompoc, CA 93436
Public Involvement and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process
NEPA is a U.S. federal law that requires federal agencies to identify and analyze the potential environmental effects of a proposed action before deciding whether to proceed with that action. The law encourages and facilitates public involvement to inform decision makers on actions that may affect the community or the environment. The purpose of public involvement during the Draft EIS public comment period is to inform the public of the potential environmental effects of the Proposed Action and alternatives and solicit public input regarding the results of the analysis presented in the Draft EIS.
Public involvement is a fundamental part of the NEPA process and opportunities are available for the public to participate throughout the development of the EIS.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 Process
Section 106 of the NHPA is a U.S. federal law that requires federal agencies to consider the potential effects of their actions on historic properties and look for ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate those effects. The DAF’s outreach efforts support consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA and its implementing regulations. Members of the public are invited to participate, provide comments, or raise concerns about potential effects on historic properties during established public comment periods.
Public involvement is an important part of the NHPA Section 106 process. The DAF encourages the public to help identify historic properties and share information regarding potential effects on historic properties by providing a written comment during designated public comment periods. Historic properties may include archaeological sites, sacred and religious sites, traditional cultural properties, or historic buildings, structures, or objects.
Submitting Public Comments
The DAF welcomes the public’s participation during the Draft EIS public review and comment period from May 23, 2025, through July 7, 2025. This public comment period also supports consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA and its implementing regulations. The DAF requests comments on the Proposed Action and Draft EIS from elected officials; federal, state, and local agencies; Native American tribes; and interested members of the public. To ensure DAF has sufficient time to consider public input during the preparation of the Final EIS, please submit comments by July 7, 2025. Public comments may be submitted in the following ways:
• In-person at one of the three public hearings
• During the virtual public hearing
• Via the online comment form
• By mail to:
ATTN: VSFB Falcon Launch EIS
c/o ManTech International Corporation
420 Stevens Avenue, Suite 100
Solana Beach, CA 92075
https://www.ojaivalleynews.com/news/county/in-person-public-hearing-on-proposed-increase-of-launches-at-vandenberg-set-for-june-10/article_6a8241bb-755d-45ff-af68-1ce7309cc665.html
What the Draft EIS considered:
The environmental impacts of the proposed launch increases that were studied in the draft EIS include 15 resource areas.
• Air Quality
• Noise
• Terrestrial/Freshwater Biological Resources
• Marine Biological Resources
• Water Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Coastal Resources
• Department of Transportation Section 4(f) Resources
• Utilities
• Socioeconomics
• Transportation
• Human Health and Safety
• Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
• Solid Waste Management
• Geology and Soils
Noise impact
Regarding noise, the EIS states: “Launch and landing operations create engine noise and sonic booms. Noise levels would not exceed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) thresholds for daily noise exposure limits. Residents within the area surrounding VSFB would likely hear launch engine noise and sonic booms during return landings at VSFB. Noise-induced structural vibration during launches and landings caused by rocket engine noise and sonic booms may cause annoyance to building occupants in and around Lompoc, CA. In southeastern Santa Barbara, Ventura, and northwestern Los Angeles Counties, residents would likely hear occasional sonic booms, which would vary in impact location and levels depending on mission trajectories and weather conditions, and may cause annoyance because of induced secondary vibrations, or “rattle” of objects within buildings.”
When it comes to the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches and landings, the EIS also states: “Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches and landings at SLC-4 and SLC-6 have the potential to cause damage to some structures depending on the overpressure levels the structures are exposed to as well as the construction quality and condition of the structures. Damage associated with noise and vibrations may occur to lightweight or brittle structural elements in poor condition, such as windows and plaster that are pre-cracked, prestressed, older and weakened, or poorly mounted; however, damage to windows and plaster in good condition and structural damage to buildings is not expected. Launches typically generate sonic booms over water which are not expected to damage structures. Booms in some areas may rarely exceed 4 pounds per square foot (psf). Damage to structures is unlikely below 2 psf, and more likely at 4
psf and above. Overall, while 4 psf sonic booms are more likely to cause damage compared to 2 psf, the extent of damage still depends on other factors, including the construction quality and maintenance of the structures.”
The EIS considers various potential environmental effects and is considering three possible options:
Authorize the redevelopment of SLC-6, to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations, including launch and landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Authorize an increase in Falcon 9 launches and landings at Vandenberg and downrange landings in the Pacific Ocean.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s issuance or modification of a vehicle operator license to SpaceX for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations at Vandenberg and approval of related airspace closures.
In addition to these potential options, the Air Force has also listed two potential alternatives:
One would allow SpaceX to create its own hangar instead of modifying the existing complex; and
The other would take no action at all, and not allow any further Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy launches or modifications to the structure and not authorize any additional launches.
The current timeline estimated that by Fall 2025, a preferred option will be selected, and a final EIS will be submitted. Shortly after, a Record of Decision will be issued with the selected plan.