A long rumble and rattling windows Friday afternoon sounded the departure of another Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base as Congress takes one step toward recognizing the noise created by launches.
The SpaceX rocket lifted off at 1:55 p.m. to deliver 22 Starlink satellites into space. The mission marked the ninth launch and landing for the first-stage booster.
Liftoff occurred after Congress pushed forward legislation that notes space launch noise effects on nearby residents and calls for the Department of Defense to mitigate the impact of sonic booms and other disturbances.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara and a House Armed Services Committee member, sought the language amid a boost in SpaceX launches from Vandenberg and complaints about the noise.
“Residents of the Central Coast in Lompoc and other communities nearby Vandenberg have shared their growing concerns as increased space launch cadence makes launch noise a larger burden on their routines and quality of life,” Carbajal said. “This language makes it clear to the Department of Defense that these are not concerns they can plug their ears and ignore. Congress will take these impacts seriously.”
SpaceX has conducted more than 40 launches from Vandenberg so far this year.
The language appears in the House report linked to the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
The noise affects facilities such as hospitals, daycares, schools, senior-living facilities, and private residences, according to the report section focused on launch noise.
The lawmakers simply noted the impact and offers a suggestion but stops short of requiring action.
Specifically, the report noted the Defense Department has a Community Noise Mitigation Program for complaints about fixed-wing aircraft.
“The committee recognizes that it could be beneficial to stand up a similar program to make grants to communities impacted by national security space launches for the purpose of installing noise mitigating insulation at nearby facilities,” according to the report.
The congressman said he hopes to “build on this language in his next term with additional measures to better address the impact of increased launches, including but not limited to launch noise.”
Effects of noise on neighbors — both humans and assorted species at Vandenberg and in the ocean — also has been raised during California Coastal Commission discussions.
Carbajal contended this marked the first time Congress has approved language formally acknowledging the disruption that space launch noise can cause, calling it a first step in improving federal response to the noise impacts.
The bill passed the House this week with the language on track to be signed by President Joe Biden by the end of the month, according to Carbajal.
