Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 9

Last updated
Space Launch Complex 9
Launch site Vandenberg Space Force Base
Location 34°39′27″N120°35′26″W / 34.6576°N 120.5906°W / 34.6576; -120.5906
Time zone UTC−08:00 (PST)
• Summer (DST)
 UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Short nameSLC-9
Operator United States Space Force (owner)
Blue Origin (tenant)
Orbital inclination
range		51° – 145°
SLC-9 launch history
StatusGreenfield, awaiting construction for Blue Origin
Launches0
Associated
rockets		Future: New Glenn
Launch sites at Vandenberg Space Force Base
Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 9
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8km
5miles
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9
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  Active pads
  Inactive leased pads
  Inactive unleased pads

1
SLC-1
2
SLC-2
3
SLC-10
4
LC-576E
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SLC-9
6
SLC-3
7
SLC-4
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SLC-5
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SLC-6
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SLC-8
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SLC-7
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SLC-11
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SLC-12
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SLC-14
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SLC-15

Space Launch Complex 9 (SLC-9) is a planned launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States. Currently a greenfield, it is leased to Blue Origin as part of their plans to have a Western Range site for their New Glenn launch vehicle, joining Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. [1]

History

The origins of the pad were first seen in 2023, when Blue Origin looked into leasing the nearby Space Launch Complex 6 for New Glenn, [2] but the site was ultimately leased to SpaceX for use by Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. [3] As of June 2024, the consistency determination process between the United States Space Force, California Coastal Commission, and Blue Origin is ongoing. [4] As per updated policy by the Space and Missile Systems Center, Blue Origin will be required to use their own equipment during the construction of SLC-9. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Staff Report" (PDF). California Coastal Commission. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. ↑ Berger, Eric [@SciGuySpace] (10 April 2023). "I'm hearing that Blue Origin is working to take over SLC-6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Won't happen until after the Delta IV Heavy is officially retired. Would give New Glenn a West coast launch pad" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 November 2024– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Bergin, Chris (2023-04-27). "SpaceX SLC-6 takeover to mark a new chapter for a famous pad" . Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  4. ↑ "W10a" (PDF). California Coastal Commission. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 Industry Day". Space and Missile Systems Center. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.


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