Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) has issued a request for information for a major new launch complex on South Vandenberg near Point Arguello Coast Guard Station, about 2 miles south of Space Launch Complex (SLC) 6.
Dubbed SLC-14, according to the Space Force solicitation, Vandenberg “seeks to establish operational heavy or super-heavy launch capabilities at VSFB. A heavy/super-heavy launch capability at VSFB offers a strategic advantage to the USSF, enabling the deployment of larger, more capable military satellites and facilitating rapid response missions during national security emergencies.”
This isn’t your typical government contract. First, according to the request for information, they would have to “be capable of having private capital at risk with plans to invest private capital in space launch infrastructure for purposes of conducting its space launch activities.”
And they would be leasing government property and paying for any launch-related support provided by Vandenberg.
Judging by the time it took to modify SLC-6 for the space shuttle project, it will take hundreds of millions of dollars and a couple of years to complete. Unlike the shuttle project, though, my guess is that the commercial space companies won’t make multiple time-consuming and expensive design changes during the construction phase.
This is the very early stages of acquiring a new launch site; it will take a couple of years until a prospective launch provider will have all the safety and environmental studies completed and construction plans approved by the Space Force. The request for information requires the launch site to “begin operations within approximately five years of a real property outgrant (lease) being issued.”
One thing is certain in Santa Barbara County, special interest “not in my back yard” groups will do everything in their power to delay, obstruct, and eventually try and stop this vital defense project. They will use every tool in their grasp to file legal motions, demand endless studies, create endless what-if scenarios, and finally, if these measures don’t work, just hold their breath as they try to get their way.
And there is another certainty: Those same people aren’t dealing with a sympathetic state or county government. There will be numerous opportunities for public input, and the military will carefully consider their concerns, but this project is on federal property, and the Space Force is the approval authority.
This can be an economic opportunity for Lompoc and Santa Maria, but who will capture the lion’s share of the prize is open to debate. Unlike scores of federal launch programs that have come and gone over the decades, this is a commercial project, and it is unlikely that a private company would make a muti-million-dollar investment like this and then walk away.
A project of this size will generate hundreds of construction-phase jobs, and when operations begin, scores of other well-paying engineering and technician specialist positions will be needed. Will Lompoc be ready to house these people or will they seek housing and other services in Santa Maria?
Sadly, Lompoc has proven in the past to fall short when it comes to long-term planning. Neither the political nor business leadership in this community has been able to fully capitalize on the business potential that Vandenberg provides.
Instead, the movers and shakers have placed their bets on the wine and cannabis industries, both of which are subject to large swings in popularity and thus produce unstable tax revenue.
Maybe this time will be different, but if history is any indicator, Lompoc will likely miss the brass ring once again. m
Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a letter for publication to letters@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in January 22 – January 29, 2026.
Thanks for the update, Ron. Pretty exciting !