SpaceX is ramping up its rocket launch schedule, aiming to send 90 rockets into space from a Santa Barbara County military base by 2026, tripling the current number of rocket launches. This bold move aims to further the objectives of SpaceX and the U.S. Space Force, but has stirred concerns among local residents and environmental groups about potential impacts on marine life.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has significantly increased its launch frequency from Vandenberg Space Force Base in recent years. At a recent California Coastal Commission hearing, Space Force officials shared their ambitious plans to boost the number of launches from 37 in 2023 to over 120 a year by 2026, with the majority being conducted by SpaceX.
SpaceX has already outpaced its previous agreements with the commission, having launched 28 rockets last year despite being limited to just six. They are now negotiating to increase this limit to 36 annually, with a target of 90 by 2026.
The commission, responsible for protecting California’s coastal resources, will directly impact residents and marine life that endure the rockets’ sonic booms. SpaceX’s collaboration with the military underscores the intertwined goals of advanced space exploration and national security.
“The ultimate goal is for this to be more routine and not a huge deal,” stated Space Force Col. Bryan Titus, operations vice commander at the base.
SpaceX launched 96 rockets in 2023 from its various facilities, including Vandenberg, Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and SpaceX Starbase in Texas.
Environmental groups have voiced their fears that frequent launches could disrupt marine life. Ana Citrin from the Gaviota Coast Conservancy pointed out concerns about permanent ecological changes. Federal agencies monitoring the impacts report that while some animals react to launches by temporarily fleeing, no long-term impact has been observed.
However, biologists like UCLA’s Duncan Leitch caution against chronic stress on wildlife, which could alter their behavior and health, affecting entire ecosystems over time.
Environmental groups, like the Surfrider Foundation, are pressing the Coastal Commission to prevent the increase in launches. The commission faces legal complexities as federal entities typically bypass its permit process, citing national security interests.
Despite SpaceX’s significant contributions as a military contractor, officials admitted that only 25% of their launches serve the Department of Defense, raising questions on why they should be exempt from state-level permits for predominantly private missions.
Concerns over SpaceX’s unchecked power have been further stirred by its international actions, such as the refusal to enable Ukraine’s use of Starlink for an attack on Russia, leading some commissioners to question the alignment of national security with bolstering SpaceX’s operations.
Ultimately, the Coastal Commission insists that SpaceX needs to engage directly with them if there’s to be any progress in reaching an agreement. Until then, significant obstacles remain in achieving federal consistency for increased launch operations.
