14 August 2025 The year of the California Coastal Commission unanimously rejected US space forces proposal to increase the number of SpaceX launches from the Vandenberg base in Southern California from 50 to 100 per year. The decision was motivated by insufficient information about the impact of launches on local wildlife and neighboring communities, as well as attempted space forces to avoid commercial permissions for SpaceX.
The commission noted, that the Space Force did not provide data on the impact of sonic booms on the environment and did not respond to requests for information updates. Unlike the previous vote, which was accompanied by criticism of Elon Musk's political views and his support for Donald Trump, this time the commission avoided mentioning Musk, focusing on the lack of data and the question of the commercial status of the launches. Most SpaceX launches from Vandenberg are commercial, what, according to the commission, requires separate permission, rather than dismissal as a federal activity.
Despite the rejection, Cosmic forces, probably, will continue the implementation of the plan, citing federal priority and national security, as it was after the October refusal. The absence of representatives of the Space Force and SpaceX at the meeting drew criticism from local lawmakers, which emphasize the need for science-based measures to mitigate the impact of launches. Ecological groups, such as the Surfrider Foundation, expressed concern about the commission's inability to stop the plan, calling the situation "talking into the void".
Expected, that SpaceX and the Space Force will begin construction on a second launch pad at Vandenberg at the end 2025 year, which may further exacerbate environmental impact disputes.
Source: https://www.politico.com