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2w ago

Vandenberg’s SLC-6 Razed to Make Way for SpaceX Launch Pad

The razing creates room for a SpaceX-built pad that is expected to boost West Coast launch capacity as regulators and environmental groups press concerns.

Four astronauts are seen inside the Dragon onboard the SpaceX recovery ship.
White House adviser and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025, in Washington, DC.
Elon Musk is photographed at Space X in Brownsville, Texas.
A controlled demolition takes place June 16 at Space Launch Complex-6 located at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. After the final Delta IV Heavy launch from the pad in September 2024, the historic site will be modernized for SpaceX.

Overview

  • The U.S. Space Force carried out a controlled demolition that removed decades-old SLC-6 infrastructure on June 16, clearing the site for redevelopment.
  • SLC-6 was outgranted to SpaceX in 2025 and Vandenberg officials say the demolition is the next step toward industry-led modernization of the former military launch complex.
  • Industry reporting says SpaceX is expected to adapt the site for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy flights, and some outlets have cited an unconfirmed plan for as many as 100 launches per year once work finishes.
  • SpaceX reached a legal settlement with the California Coastal Commission in spring 2026 that included an apology from the commission and limits on certain regulatory considerations.
  • Normal SpaceX operations at Vandenberg continue during the SLC-6 rebuild, with a Falcon 9 Starlink launch from SLC-4E scheduled for June 24 and a planned sea recovery of the booster on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You.