Vandenberg base starts public notification system on rocket launches
To better inform people about its commercial and other rocket launches, Vandenberg Space Force Base started a new notification system early this month.
The alerts include launches for NASA and private companies such as SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Firefly Aerospace and Phantom Space Corp., which has plans for its first rocket launch next year at Vandenberg.
More than 5,000 people signed up for the new alerts, a Vandenberg Public Affairs Office representative said in a recent statement.
In addition, the base near Lompoc is advertising launches on its website, www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil, and social media, according to the statement, which was made in response to a request for an interview.
To sign up for email and text alerts about liftoffs, go to public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDODSFVANDENBERG/signup/41755.
What about the sonic boom?
Vandenberg is seeking continued authorization for an increase in SpaceX launches despite complaints from residents in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties about sonic booms. There are two sonic booms in a SpaceX launch.
The booms are heard as far away as Simi Valley and northern Los Angeles County, but the Ventura County complaints to the California Coastal Commission tend to come from residents in Ojai, Ventura and Oxnard, said commission Deputy Director Cassidy Teufel said during a recent interview.
The commission regulates activity affecting the coast, including the launches. Vandenberg is on the Santa Barbara County coast.
More: Did you hear the boom? Rattled Ojai residents sure did: ‘Like an explosion’
“We’ve heard reports from people thinking it was an earthquake, a car backfiring, a firearm discharging or an explosion. It can be quite jarring to hear a sonic boom if you’re not expecting it,” Teufel said.
The increase to 36 launches for SpaceX at Vandenberg was originally approved by the commission’s executive director in May 2023, according to a commission staff report. SpaceX had 28 launches in 2023, staff said.
However, in December, the commission reopened discussion of SpaceX's increased launches after learning the effects on the coast exceeded the original findings by the Department of the Air Force, according to the staff report.
Commission staff recommended in its report for the April commission meeting that the panel continue the authorization.
But the commission delayed votes on the matter at the meeting after hearing complaints from a dozen or so residents of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Representatives from nonprofits like the Surfrider Foundation and the Gaviota Coast Conservancy also expressed concerns about the impact on wildlife such as the western snowy plover, California least tern and the California red-legged frog.
Despite invitations from the coastal commission, SpaceX hasn’t sent a representative to the panel’s meetings, Teufel said. Vandenberg sent military and civilian representatives to the April meeting.
A proposal to maintain the previously approved increase in SpaceX launches from six to 36 a year will go before the California Coastal Commission Aug. 8. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. at King Gillette Ranch, 2600 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. The agenda and details on videoconferencing participation are at coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda.
SpaceX didn’t respond to requests for comment on this story.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Vandenberg Space Force Base launches notification system for rockets
