In response to the rapid expansion of the rocket launch industry, Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is undergoing significant modernization. The base, which supported a handful of missions five years ago, is projected to host 66 launches in 2025. Looking further ahead, Vandenberg anticipates supporting 150 launches within the next five years and over 200 annually by 2036.
Colonel James Horne, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg, describes the challenge of managing this unprecedented growth and planning for future demand as akin to overseeing a rapidly scaling startup business.
“The way we executed launch operations in the past and how we do it today are so different,” Colonel Horne stated in a recent interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine. He added, “Think of it like a startup scaling operations. We’ve changed the way we operate to get more efficient and to unleash our capacity.”
The U.S. Space Force has initiated investments aimed at facilitating this growth, focusing on modernizing the infrastructure, operational frameworks, and business practices across its primary ranges, alongside relevant policy adjustments. In 2018, the service introduced its “Spaceport of the Future” strategy, a guiding framework for a comprehensive overhaul of its launch facilities. Congress has supported this effort, allocating $1.3 billion for modernization from fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2028. Additionally, legislative changes have empowered the Space Force to collect increased fees from commercial operators using its facilities, with provisions to reinvest these funds into infrastructure improvement projects.
Colonel Horne affirmed that the initial phase of the Spaceport of the Future initiative has provided the necessary resources and strategic direction to significantly upgrade range operations. Building on this foundation, the Space Force is now planning for a subsequent phase of transformation, known as Spaceport 2036. This campaign will outline the service’s modernization requirements for Vandenberg and its East Coast counterpart at Cape Canaveral, Florida, over the next decade, ensuring both facilities can accommodate anticipated capacity demands.
Expanding Access
At Vandenberg, the initial phase of infrastructure development has concentrated on replacing and upgrading the base’s aging 1960s-era roads, bridges, and utility systems. These improvements are designed to support the current surge in launch activity and the projected demand over the coming decade. Colonel Horne noted that several projects are underway to mitigate wear and tear on roads caused by the heavy trucks transporting commodities to launch pads. Currently, approximately 70 commercial trucks are required to deliver propellants, liquid oxygen, and other essential resources for a single launch operation.
Another significant undertaking involved upgrading the base’s electrical grid. Given Vandenberg’s coastal location, which makes it vulnerable to both corrosion and wildfires, the project prioritized installing fireproof electrical poles and bringing the entire grid up to contemporary standards. The range is also modernizing its communications network by replacing outdated copper cables with fiber optic lines.
Looking ahead, Colonel Horne indicated that future phases of infrastructure funding will focus on expanding access to the range through various means. A key area identified for improvement is the base’s harbor, which is critical for companies transporting rockets and recovered boosters. Currently, challenging ocean conditions, including choppy waters and surf, limit the harbor’s accessibility to approximately 30 percent of the time, according to Horne. A proposed project envisions a deeper, more modern harbor equipped with a sea wall to protect transport routes and facilitate increased cargo shipments.
“We’re trying to increase accessible days per year in the harbor and create more of a modern harbor like you see in Long Beach or LA where you have a sea wall that protects you from surf so the waters are calmer,” he explained.
The base is also working to accommodate additional launch companies, which necessitates developing land in the southern portion of the range and ensuring new pads have access to essential utilities such as water and power. Colonel Horne estimates that Vandenberg has capacity for an additional four to seven new launch pads and is actively engaged in developing these sites.
Two complexes are currently under active construction: Space Launch Complex-3 (SLC-3), where United Launch Alliance is adapting the site for its new Vulcan rocket, and SLC-6, which will host SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy vehicles. In December, Vandenberg announced plans to lease land for a new launch complex, SLC-14, designed to support super heavy-lift rockets, including potentially SpaceX’s Starship. Colonel Horne confirmed that an announcement regarding this effort is forthcoming.
“So we’re already starting with planning, and then in the next couple of years, execution of those activities to build the roads and the commodities and everything that needs to get out to the pad,” Horne stated. “And then you’ll see construction starting to pick up in the next three to five years for an operational capability in the 2030 timeframe for SLC-14.”
A fourth pad at SLC-9 is also anticipated to become operational within the next few years, according to Colonel Horne, and the base has reached an agreement with an undisclosed company for a fifth pad at SLC-5.
“There are a couple of other properties that we could open up after the ones I just mentioned, if there’s interest from industry, and there are companies that want to build here in various other locations,” he noted. “Beyond that, we’d be pretty limited.”
In addition to these infrastructure projects—some funded by the Spaceport of the Future initiative and others through broader Air Force installation support—Space Launch Delta 30 is leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency. In 2024, Vandenberg’s Digital Transformation Office established the Crucible Innovation Lab to prototype new capabilities.
The range has utilized this lab to develop a digital model capable of simulating various mission scenarios. This model provides feedback on potential bottlenecks and identifies opportunities to optimize processes.
“That allows us to focus our Spaceport of the Future efforts, whether it be infrastructure investment in the harbor, which is one of the bottlenecks or in payload processing, which is another bottleneck,” Horne explained. “It’s showing us the areas we need to invest in.”
Beyond Launch
The expansion at Vandenberg extends beyond its space launch capabilities. The base currently hosts 54 tenant units, which Colonel Horne refers to as “strategic partners.” These include Space Forces-Space—the Space Force component to U.S. Space Command—the 18th Space Defense Squadron, and Space Delta 1, a Space Force training unit.
Additionally, Vandenberg accommodates units from NASA, Air Force Global Strike Command, and the Missile Defense Agency. The base was recently designated as a homeland defense alert base for U.S. Northern Command, signifying an increase in operational activity. The range has also experienced a rise in demand for test support for various missions, including hypersonic systems.
Why This Matters
The comprehensive modernization of Vandenberg Space Force Base is critical for several reasons, reflecting the evolving landscape of global space operations and national security. The dramatic increase in launch rates, driven largely by commercial innovation and demand for satellite deployment, necessitates a resilient and expanded infrastructure. By adapting its facilities and policies, the Space Force ensures the U.S. remains a leader in space access, supporting both government and private sector initiatives that are vital for communication, navigation, Earth observation, and scientific research.
Furthermore, Vandenberg’s role extends beyond launches, encompassing critical defense and scientific missions. Its designation as a homeland defense alert base underscores its importance to national security. The capability to support a diverse range of activities, from deploying advanced satellite constellations to testing hypersonic systems, directly impacts U.S. strategic advantage and global competitiveness. Delays or limitations at primary launch sites could hinder technological advancement, economic growth in the space sector, and the nation’s ability to respond to emerging threats. The “Spaceport of the Future” and “Spaceport 2036” initiatives are thus essential investments in maintaining and enhancing America’s indispensable position in space.
**Vandenberg Space Force Base Prepares for Significant Expansion and New Missile Testing Era**
**VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California** – Vandenberg Space Force Base is bracing for a substantial increase in its operational tempo and personnel as it prepares for the operational testing of the U.S. Air Force’s Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, slated to begin next year. This development is part of a broader expansion that will see the base’s population potentially double over the next five years, bringing both strategic importance and complex scaling challenges.
According to Horne, a representative from Vandenberg, the base anticipates its personnel count to grow from approximately 10,000 to 20,000 within the next half-decade. This significant influx is driven by the demands of new mission sets, including the Sentinel program, and a general increase in space launch activities. To accommodate this growth, Vandenberg is undertaking extensive infrastructure upgrades under its “Spaceport of the Future” initiative. These upgrades are not limited to launch facilities but also encompass essential support infrastructure such as dormitories for new recruits and students, as well as office spaces required for the expanding missions. The base is actively collaborating with the U.S. Air Force, which provides critical base support functions to the Space Force, to ensure adequate resources are in place for this expansion.
“It’s going to require quite a bit of investment and facilities beyond just the launch piece to support those mission partners, like dorm rooms for students and office space for new missions like Sentinel,” Horne stated, noting that these investments are already underway.
The Sentinel ICBM, officially known as the LGM-35A Sentinel, is designed to replace the aging Minuteman III, which has been the backbone of the U.S. land-based strategic deterrent for decades. The transition to Sentinel represents a critical modernization effort for the nation’s nuclear triad, ensuring the continued credibility and effectiveness of its deterrence capabilities. Vandenberg’s role in the operational testing phase will be pivotal in evaluating the missile’s performance and integrating it into the national defense infrastructure.
Scaling Challenges Amidst Growth
While the expansion underscores Vandenberg’s growing strategic importance, it also introduces a range of complex challenges, particularly concerning environmental stewardship and community relations. Horne acknowledged that, much like any rapidly expanding enterprise, the base faces hurdles in managing its impact on the surrounding environment and local communities.
Environmental considerations are paramount for Vandenberg, given its location on the central California coastline, a region renowned for its unique biodiversity. The base itself encompasses an ecologically rich landscape, featuring 470 miles of streams, 9,100 acres of sand dunes, and 7,800 acres of wetlands. It is also home to a thriving population of marine mammals and provides crucial habitat for endangered species, such as the Western Snowy Plover. To mitigate the environmental impact of its operations, Vandenberg maintains a dedicated team of approximately 40 environmental experts. These specialists work to manage and protect the delicate ecosystems within the base’s extensive boundaries.
Beyond ecological concerns, Vandenberg also serves as the site for numerous historical heritage locations vital to indigenous communities, notably the Chumash, a Native American tribe with deep historical ties to California’s southern and central coast. The base actively partners with these communities to ensure the protection of both natural and historical resources. Horne characterized this collaboration not as a challenge, but as a crucial aspect that influences decision-making and operational planning, underscoring the base’s commitment to cultural preservation.
Another pressing issue arising from increased operational tempo, particularly the expansion of commercial launches, is the heightened frequency and intensity of sonic booms. As Vandenberg broadens the types of missions it supports, launch trajectories are increasingly positioned closer to land, leading to more frequent disturbances for nearby communities. In response, the base initiated a partnership two years ago with Brigham Young University and California State University Bakersfield. This collaborative research effort, known as ECOBOOM, aims to study the characteristics of sonic booms and develop strategies to minimize their impact on local populations.
As a direct outcome of the ECOBOOM research, Vandenberg has implemented new policies aimed at reducing community disruption. A key measure includes minimizing nighttime launches whenever feasible. While certain orbital mechanics necessitate specific launch windows, the base now prioritizes daytime launches when flexibility allows. Horne explained, “There are certain times that you have to launch in a certain window to get where you need to in orbit. You just can’t avoid it—it’s just the physics of the orbit. But if we can choose to launch those in the daytime, we do now, so that if there is a sonic boom, it’s not interrupting folks’ sleep and things like that. And we’re looking at other ways to minimize our impacts to the community.” These efforts reflect a proactive approach to balancing national security and commercial space objectives with the well-being of its civilian neighbors.
**Why This Matters**
The developments at Vandenberg Space Force Base hold significant implications across national security, economic development, environmental stewardship, and community relations.
Firstly, the operational testing of the Sentinel ICBM is a cornerstone of U.S. national security. As the successor to the Minuteman III, Sentinel is designed to modernize and ensure the continued viability of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad, a critical component of strategic deterrence. Its successful deployment is essential for maintaining a credible deterrent posture in a complex global security landscape. Vandenberg’s pivotal role in this testing phase directly contributes to safeguarding national interests and global stability.
Secondly, the projected doubling of personnel and extensive infrastructure upgrades underscore Vandenberg’s escalating importance as a premier space launch and test facility. This expansion not only solidifies the base’s role in military and national security space operations but also cements its position as a vital hub for the burgeoning commercial space industry. This growth has significant economic implications for the central California region, fostering job creation, driving investment, and stimulating local economies.
Thirdly, Vandenberg’s proactive approach to environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation sets a precedent for large-scale governmental and industrial operations. By dedicating substantial resources to managing its ecological footprint and partnering with indigenous communities, the base demonstrates a commitment to balancing strategic imperatives with environmental responsibility and cultural sensitivity. These efforts are crucial for sustaining biodiversity in a unique coastal ecosystem and respecting the historical legacy of the land.
Finally, the base’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of sonic booms on local communities highlight a growing recognition of the importance of community relations in military operations. The ECOBOOM partnership and subsequent policy changes reflect a proactive strategy to address quality-of-life concerns for civilian populations living near critical military installations. This commitment to reducing disruptions fosters goodwill and ensures that the base’s expansion proceeds with consideration for its neighbors, a model for managing the inevitable friction between operational demands and civilian life.
In summary, Vandenberg’s transformation is a microcosm of broader trends in U.S. defense and space policy, reflecting a strategic pivot towards modernizing capabilities, expanding space access, and navigating these complex developments with a heightened awareness of environmental and social responsibilities.