What makes you think they're ever going to fly F9 from Boca Chica?
The whole issue of shutting down VAFB is because leadership at Vandenberg has been hostile to increased commercial usage of the facility. Adding commercial passenger flights is definitely not a likely outcome.
I don't think the Military would want civilians launching from Vandenberg.
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/12/31/southbound-cape-rockets-may-fly-new-path-toward-poles/975027001/[...] there was this quote from Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander of the 45th Space Wing at the Cape recognizing the difficulty of launching from VAFB:QuoteThough Vandenberg typically hosts just a few orbital rocket launches a year (but eight in 2017), getting on its schedule can be a challenge. The base must prioritize test flights of Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles and Missile Defense Agency interceptors, and is not as accustomed to quick turnarounds between launches.In addition, Monteith said his counterpart leading the 30th Space Wing does not enjoy the same level of support found on the Space Coast.“He was talking about things that I have no experience with whatsoever, and that is almost an adversarial relationship with the local community and state on bringing in new business and fostering commercial growth,” Monteith said at a Dec. 12 transportation conference at Port Canaveral. “They are at a crossroads.”
Though Vandenberg typically hosts just a few orbital rocket launches a year (but eight in 2017), getting on its schedule can be a challenge. The base must prioritize test flights of Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles and Missile Defense Agency interceptors, and is not as accustomed to quick turnarounds between launches.In addition, Monteith said his counterpart leading the 30th Space Wing does not enjoy the same level of support found on the Space Coast.“He was talking about things that I have no experience with whatsoever, and that is almost an adversarial relationship with the local community and state on bringing in new business and fostering commercial growth,” Monteith said at a Dec. 12 transportation conference at Port Canaveral. “They are at a crossroads.”
The whole issue of shutting down VAFB is because leadership EDIT: the local community at Vandenberg has been hostile to increased commercial usage of the facility. Adding commercial passenger flights is definitely not a likely outcome.
One of the lessons from working with SpaceX is that the Air Force has to adapt, said Hough. “It’s a challenge for us. It’s challenging to work with commercial companies. We’re inherently bureaucratic, which means we’re slow and methodical.”Companies like SpaceX “keep us on our toes,” said Hough. “When they have to get a satellite on orbit, they are very demanding of us,” he said. “We appreciate what they do. It is frustrating at times,” Hough said. “But we have learned a lot working with them, which helps us.”To position the range for the future, said Hough, “we need innovative airmen to help figure out new processes.”
In order to achieve polar orbit there is no better place to be than Vandenberg,” Hough said. Because of its location, intercontinental ballistic missiles are launched over water without endangering populated areas. Satellites fly south into polar orbit without flying over any land masses. Nevertheless, launch providers remain ambivalent about investing in West Coast launch pads in the face of uncertain demand. “I think you’re going to see a day when they’re going to try hard to do it at the Cape,” he said. Launch activity at Cape Canaveral on the Florida space coast is growing. “I don’t blame companies for wanting to do that, and consolidate operations on the East Coast.”
According to the report, the downsizing would come from most, if not all, of ULA’s staff at Vandenberg Air Force Base over the next few months. Future launches would see East Coast launch teams travel to Vandenberg to process the rockets and payload as well as control the launch.
QuoteIn order to achieve polar orbit there is no better place to be than Vandenberg,” Hough said. Because of its location, intercontinental ballistic missiles are launched over water without endangering populated areas. Satellites fly south into polar orbit without flying over any land masses. Nevertheless, launch providers remain ambivalent about investing in West Coast launch pads in the face of uncertain demand. “I think you’re going to see a day when they’re going to try hard to do it at the Cape,” he said. Launch activity at Cape Canaveral on the Florida space coast is growing. “I don’t blame companies for wanting to do that, and consolidate operations on the East Coast.”So the day has come. Saocom-1B is confirmed to be flying polar from the east coast.In the short term this is going to save SpaceX a lot of effort through not having to re-activate Vandenberg facilities. Presumabl, if they can do this once, any mission with a sufficient delta V reserve is going to be able to fly from the cape; and I suspect that is going to be most of them.
I don't follow Vandenberg AFB too closely but it seems SpaceX has added some job listings there recently on their Careers page:https://www.spacex.com/careers/?department=I find most interesting the full time position for a Food Services Specialist. Would that argue against previous assumptions they are scaling back operations there? For the other positions, would it not make more sense to bring in crew for the occasional launch as needed? Or cater food as needed?
Quote from: SoCal_Eyeball on 07/10/2020 06:49 pmI don't follow Vandenberg AFB too closely but it seems SpaceX has added some job listings there recently on their Careers page:https://www.spacex.com/careers/?department=I find most interesting the full time position for a Food Services Specialist. Would that argue against previous assumptions they are scaling back operations there? For the other positions, would it not make more sense to bring in crew for the occasional launch as needed? Or cater food as needed?Not when you're serving 3 meals a day. At the pads getting food off-base isn't practical. At both sites you drive for 15 minutes or more from the gate the pad. So SpaceX feeds everyone for free. There are enough guys permanently stationed at Vandy to require actual food staff that cook some pretty legit meals. Not quite the gourmet stuff you get at headquarters but better than fast food.