Vandenberg Plans ‘Zone’ for New Launch Support Facilities

Vandenberg Plans ‘Zone’ for New Launch Support Facilities

The Space Force is looking for industry feedback on its plans to create a new “Mission Development Zone” at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., to support launch providers with space for additional payload processing capacity, test and assembly facilities, and potentially rocket and spacecraft manufacturing infrastructure. The post Vandenberg Eyes New Launch Support Facilities, Possible On-Site Manufacturing appeared first on Air & Space Forces…

Can Vandenberg’s Mission Development Zone Support More Launches?

Vandenberg Space Force Base is asking commercial companies how to develop a Mission Development Zone that would expand the facilities behind its launch operations. A planning notice updated on September 30, 2026, extends the response deadline to October 16. The proposal concerns the less visible side of launch capacity: preparing spacecraft, assembling hardware, storing supplies, and supporting missions before a rocket reaches its pad.