Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 9

Space Launch Complex 9

Launch site	Vandenberg Space Force Base
Location	34°39′27″N 120°35′26″W
Time zone	PST
• Summer (DST)	PDT
Short name	SLC-9
Operator	United States Space Force
Orbital inclination range	51° – 145°
SLC-9 launch history Status Greenfield, awaiting construction for Blue Origin Launches 0 Associated rockets New Glenn (future)

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] 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.