The US Space Force is seeking industry feedback on the proposed Mission Development Zone at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The military plans to host payload processing facilities, assembly and test buildings, and potentially full-scale rocket manufacturing plants, including on-site fuel and gas production.
The initiative responds to a surge in launch activity. In 2025, Vandenberg supported 66 launches, a figure projected to reach 200 annually by the end of the decade. Currently, each launch requires up to 50 truckloads of supplies, creating significant logistical pressure on local infrastructure.
Colonel James Horn, commander of Space Launch Delta 30, noted that the base is considering a long-term land lease model where private companies fund construction. Initial development could commence as early as next year, aiming to eliminate the need for transporting fuel and components via road or sea.
The specific infrastructure within the zone will depend on proposals from industry participants, ranging from startups to major players like SpaceX. The project aims to transform the base from a simple launch site into a closed-loop production hub equipped with pipelines and industrial facilities.
