As the frequency of space launches increases, Vandenberg SFB leadership is addressing the challenge of balancing mission support with environmental and community concerns. Efforts are underway to mitigate launch noise while protecting the base’s unique ecosystem.
Col. Mark Shoemaker, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Vandenberg’s host installation, emphasised the commitment to environmental stewardship. “Community and environmental considerations at Vandenberg remain consistent regardless of who is providing launch services from a U.S. Space Force installation,” Shoemaker said. “As stewards of this base, we are working with our regulatory partners to evaluate processes to ensure consistency across the Vandenberg spaceport and test range and we are committed to doing so efficiently and with speed.”
A groundbreaking study is underway at Vandenberg SFB, involving the U.S. Space Force, Brigham Young University, California State University-Bakersfield, the Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX, and NASA. This collaborative research seeks to enhance understanding of rocket-generated sonic booms, which differ significantly from those produced by aircraft.
According to Col. Shoemaker, the research addresses new challenges related to sonic booms during launches along California’s coast. “This is a significant focus area for us. As we safely move launches further east to open access to operational orbits, we’re encountering new challenges, such as the phenomenon of sonic booms during ascent along the coast of California,” Shoemaker stated.
The study employs approximately 25 advanced monitoring stations across 500 square miles of California’s central coast. These stations track complex sonic boom patterns generated during rocket launches, collecting vital data from areas between Isla Vista and Malibu to the hills of Ojai.
Kent Gee, a professor from Brigham Young University leading the academic team, highlighted the intricacies of this research. “It’s like trying to catch lightning in a bottle,” Gee remarked. “All launches generate sonic booms; however, their audibility to the public is influenced by several factors, including the launch trajectory, the size of the rocket, and atmospheric conditions.”
Research has shown that seemingly identical launch paths can produce vastly different noise levels on the ground. This variability has prompted a deeper investigation into the interaction between flight paths, atmospheric changes, and the diverse microclimates along California’s Central Coast.
To mitigate the impact of launch noise, the U.S. Space Force is actively applying the findings from ongoing research. Data models are evaluated during the Launch Readiness Review to predict noise levels, and subsequent data collection informs adjustments to minimise disruptions.
Col. Shoemaker acknowledged the complexity of balancing launch trajectories and noise control. “Every adjustment we make has ripple effects. Fly too far west, and it could compromise our ability to get satellites into the required orbit. Fly too far east, and there might be increased noise in populated areas. But we’re committed to collecting data, following the science, and optimising operations,” he said.
Launch schedules are also being adjusted to lessen community disruption, with most launches now scheduled between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. whenever feasible. However, some missions require launches at specific times due to satellite placement requirements.
Additionally, Vandenberg SFB has established an Interagency Environmental Working Group, meeting quarterly since September 2024. This group, including representatives from environmental and regulatory bodies, facilitates data sharing and discussion on coastal resource impacts, including the implications of recent sonic boom research.
