The SpaceX rocket launch cadence at Vandenberg Space Force Base is about to get a big boost with the addition of a second site to conduct Falcon 9 missions after the military approved the firm’s expansion plans.

The Department of the Air Force released its Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision regarding the proposal for Falcon 9 rockets to blast off from Space Launch Complex-6.

Release of the documents this week came as SpaceX launched the second set of satellites for the Tranche 1 constellation led by the Space Development Agency. The rocket blasted off at 4:06 p.m. Wednesday from SLC-4, and the first-stage booster later landed as planned on the droneship in the Pacific Ocean.

The mission marked the 54th launch of 2025 from Vandenberg, including all types of rockets and missiles, but Falcon flights by far accounted for the majority of the missions. 

The Air Force decision allows SpaceX to conduct up to 100 launches a year using both SLC-6 and SLC-4.

“The DAF authorization includes the addition of Falcon Heavy operations, redevelopment of SLC-6 and construction of two landing zones approximately 850 feet south of SLC-6; and an increase in downrange recovery activities in the Pacific Ocean,” the Record of Decision said. 

“The overall launch cadence for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy at both SLCs, combined, will be up to 100 launches per year. SpaceX will continue to land up to 12 first stages per year at SLC-4. In addition, up to 12 missions per year will utilize the landing zones at SLC-6, including up to five Falcon Heavy missions per year, where two boosters would land simultaneously.”

Falcon Heavy has not previously flown from Vandenberg, but the authorization includes up to five yearly from SLC-6, which originally was built for the Manned Orbital Launch and then West Coast space shuttle programs. However, those programs were canceled before any launches occurred.

SLC-6 later saw a few small rocket launches before the Delta IV family moved onto the site, launching various versions, including the Delta IV Heavy.

The military’s decision also authorizes SpaceX to construct a new hangar north of the launch pad at SLC-6 to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy integration and processing. 

Additionally, SpaceX will construct a road and rail system from the hangar to the launch pad to transport Falcon rocket and relocate the SLC-6 perimeter fence.

The environmental document said noise during the construction and demolition phase would mostly stay within the base’s boundaries, “with the exception of explosives, which would be used to aid in the removal of one existing structure.”

Noise levels from the rocket engines at launch and sonic booms upon landing would not exceed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s thresholds for daily noise exposure limits, according to the EIS. 

Additionally, the EIS said the National Marine Fisheries Service concurred that potential impacts “may affect, but not likely to adversely affect” species, including those listed in the Endangered Species Act.

“Through decades of monitoring and collaboration with NMFS, there are no substantial behavioral disruptions or anything more than temporary affects to the number of pinnipeds hauled out on VSFB and the Northern Channel Islands,” the EIS said. 

According to the decision, the Air Force will develop a mitigation plan within 90 days identifying organizations responsible for oversight of the measures. However, the military “will not implement an impact-inducing action related to the increase in Falcon launch cadence before the applicable mitigation measures … are fully funded and in place.”

A 17-page attachment included in the Record of Decision spells out various steps required to mitigate impacts of the increased activity.

The 179-page EIS was prepared following scoping meetings held in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Lompoc and remotely followed by another batch of meetings upon release of the draft EIS detailing plans for SLC-6.

Noise and impacts on marine mammals were among the most often raised concerns mentioned by residents who attended the meetings. 

The Final EIS and Record of Decision are available at vsfbfalconlauncheis.com.

The next Falcon rocket launch from Vandenberg could occur as soon as this weekend. The launch of the Starlink satellites is aiming for between 4:46 p.m. and 8:46 p.m. Saturday.