“Watch the skies. Everywhere. Keep looking. Keep watching the skies!”. This iconic line is from the 1951 science fiction film “The Thing from Another World”. But in this case many of these launches are clearly seen all the way out here in the Coachella Valley.

Starting in 2026, The U.S. Air Force has approved SpaceX’s proposal to increase launch rates from Vandenberg Space Force Base to up to 100 rockets per year, doubling the previous limit. This approval allows SpaceX to use a second launch complex, SLC-6, which will support up to five Falcon Heavy launches and landings per year, alongside increased Falcon 9 activity at SLC-4. This expansion follows the completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and a Record of Decision signed on October 10, 2025.

Launch increase: The annual cap will increase from 50 to 100 launches, combining Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions.
New launch complex: A second launch complex, Space Launch Complex (SLC)-6, will be used for up to five Falcon Heavy launches and landings annually.
Facility upgrades: The approval includes authorization for new infrastructure, such as a new hangar, to support the increased activity.
Environmental review: The decision was based on a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Record of Decision signed in October 2025, which concluded that noise impacts would not be significant, though mitigation measures will be implemented.
State opposition: The California Coastal Commission previously opposed the expansion, citing concerns about noise and environmental impacts, but the federal government maintains that launch operations are exempt from state oversight.