Vandenberg Space Force Base has issued an RFI for a new Space Launch Complex 14 (SLC-14) to host heavy and super-heavy rockets on the West Coast. The undeveloped site could be leased to companies that build launch facilities and aims to have systems operational within five years of a lease. SpaceX’s Starship — over 400 ft tall with a >100-metric-ton payload capacity — fits the specs, but SpaceX has made no announcement about moving Starship operations to California. Growing launch activity at Vandenberg underscores demand for expanded heavy-lift capability.
Could SpaceX’s Starship Come to California? Vandenberg Proposes New Heavy-Rocket Launch Site
Southern California may soon be home to launches of larger, more powerful rockets if plans for a new site at Vandenberg Space Force Base move forward. The base has issued a request for information (RFI) for a proposed Space Launch Complex 14 (SLC-14) to support heavy and super-heavy vehicles, potentially expanding West Coast lift capacity for military and commercial missions.
What the RFI Says
The U.S. Space Force released the RFI on Dec. 29, seeking input from launch providers interested in leasing undeveloped land at Vandenberg’s southern tip where companies could build launch infrastructure. The RFI emphasizes a desire to "increase launch diversity" and attract vehicles that do not already operate from Vandenberg. It also requests systems with "unique capabilities" that could be operational at SLC-14 within five years of signing a lease.
"A heavy/super-heavy launch capability at VSFB offers a strategic advantage to the USSF, enabling the deployment of larger, more capable military satellites and facilitating rapid response missions during national security emergencies." — Excerpt from the RFI
Site Status and Timeline
SLC-14 is currently undeveloped land with no launch infrastructure in place. The RFI is an early step: the Space Force is soliciting information and gauging industry interest rather than awarding a lease or approving construction. Any operational capability would require additional planning, environmental reviews, investment and agreements with tenants.
Could Starship Qualify?
Among the vehicles that meet the RFI’s payload definitions is SpaceX’s Starship. When fully stacked, Starship exceeds 400 feet in height and is advertised by SpaceX as having a payload capacity of more than 100 metric tons (over 220,000 pounds), well above the RFI’s super-heavy threshold. All 11 of Starship’s test flights to date launched from Starbase in South Texas, and SpaceX plans to conduct a Starship launch from Florida in 2026. The company has not announced any plans to move Starship operations to California.
Definitions And Context
The Space Force’s RFI defines heavy-lift vehicles as those capable of carrying roughly 44,000–110,000 pounds to orbit; super-heavy vehicles exceed that range. By comparison, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a two-stage vehicle about 230 feet tall and is Vandenberg’s most frequent user, launching Starlink batches and government missions. Falcon Heavy is also slated for a California debut under recently approved plans.
Growing West Coast Launch Activity
Launch activity at Vandenberg has grown substantially. In October 2025, SpaceX recorded the 52nd mission from the base for 2025 — the most launches there since the 1960s — and Vandenberg announced plans to roughly double SpaceX missions from California to about 100 in 2026. Those plans, approved by the U.S. Air Force, reflect the base’s expanding role in national and commercial space operations and increase demand for diverse launch capabilities.
Bottom line: SLC-14 would offer a potential West Coast option for heavy and super-heavy launch vehicles, including candidates like Starship, but the site remains an undeveloped concept at this stage and SpaceX has not signaled any intent to relocate Starship operations to California.
Reporter: Eric Lagatta, Space Connect for the USA TODAY Network. Original reporting appeared in Ventura County Star.
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