
Lompoc Residents Share Noise Concerns at Hearing on SpaceX Launch Boost
- by Noozhawk
- Jun 14, 2025
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Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo
Multiple speakers aired concerns about the impacts of noise due to rocket launches including on people, animals and buildings as SpaceX seeks to add a second launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
On Thursday, more than 50 people attended a Lompoc hearing on the draft environmental impact statement assessing a proposal for Falcon rockets to use Space Launch Complex-6 in addition to SLC-4 and to boost the annual rate from 50 to 100 liftoffs annually.
The environmental document assessed the proposal plus one alternative and a no-action option. The proposal involves demolishing four structures at SLC-6 and installing fixtures, storage tanks and more to accommodate the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.
The draft EIS used words such as “annoyance,” “not expected” and “could be avoided if,” said Janice Keller, a Lompoc homeowner since 1989 and a former member of the Lompoc’s Planning Commission and City Council, during the hearing.
“Language such as this is vague and indicates a lack of sufficient research and should not be the basis of decision making,” Keller said.
She spoke about launches causing neighborhood dogs to bark, her windows to rattle and glasses in her kitchen cabinet to clank against each other due to a recent Sunday morning launch.
During another launch days earlier she recorded her sliding glass doors vibrating for “well over two minutes.”
“My house is in good condition. The EIS infers something other which is insulting and a cop-out,’ Keller added. “These are not isolated incidences.”
She questioned what will happen with more launches and larger rockets.
“This situation is not good for humans, animals or structures,” Keller said. “The launches are both emotionally and physically disturbing. Increasing the number of launches and the size of the rockets could also have the socioeconomic impact of lowering property values.” She said she supported the no action alternative since it’s the environmentally preferable option.
A map shows Space Launch Complex-4 and Space Launch Complex-6 at south Vandenberg Space Force Baser along with the harbor.
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