I don’t have live access to the latest feeds right this moment, but here’s what’s generally known about Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4) and where to check for the very latest.
Direct answer
- SLC-4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base comprises two pads (SLC-4E and SLC-4W). SpaceX has leased both pads: SLC-4E (Launch Complex 4 East) for Falcon 9 launches, and SLC-4W (Launch Complex 4 West) as a landing site for RTLS first-stage boosters. For the freshest status (active launches, landings, refurbishments, or transitions), please verify on Space Force/Base public channels or SpaceX’s launch calendars.
What to monitor for the latest news
- Official Vandenberg/Space Force public pages: they typically publish upcoming launch calendars, vehicle types, and any base operations advisories.
- SpaceX public updates: press releases or X/Earlier posts often announce new leases, launch dates, or changes to pad usage at SLC-4E and SLC-4W.
- Local news outlets around Santa Barbara/Vandenberg area and San Luis Obispo County, which frequently report on impacts to traffic, flights, and road closures around launch windows.
Key background you might find useful
- SLC-4E has been SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch pad at Vandenberg since 2013, following a refurbishment, with occasional related mission updates [web sources historically reference this arrangement].
- SLC-4W has served as a landing pad for returning Falcon 9 first-stage boosters as part of SpaceX’s RTLS program, starting around the mid-2010s under a lease arrangement [historical sources describe the two-pad setup and lease timeline].
Illustration (how to verify quickly)
- Check SpaceX’s launch manifest and the Vandenberg weekly round-up pages around the date you’re interested; they typically state the next launch date, vehicle, and pad assignment.
If you’d like, I can guide you to specific pages to check or summarize the latest publicly posted schedules you provide links for. I can also help compile a quick checklist of what counts as “latest news” (launch date, pad status, landing attempts, weather advisories) so you can spot updates fast.
Sources
Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC4) is a launch and landing site at Vandenberg Air Force Base with two pads, both of which are used by SpaceX for Falcon 9 launch operations. The complex was previously used by Atlas and Titan rockets between 1963 and 2005. It consisted of two launch pads, SLC4W and SLC4
alchetron.comSpace Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4) is a launch and landing site at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, U.S. It has two pads, both of which are used by SpaceX f...
www.wikiwand.comThe launches included three ICBM tests, supported by the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
www.edwards.af.milA singular location for updates around Vandenberg SFB.
www.vandenberg.spaceforce.milSpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base Friday night. This will be their 12th of the year.
www.ksby.comSpaceX is now targeting Thursday, February 8 for a Falcon 9 rocket launch out of Vandenberg Space Force Base.
www.ksby.comThe official website of the U.S. Air Force. AF.MIL delivers the latest breaking news and information on the U.S. Air Force including top stories, features, leadership, policies, and more. For in-depth coverage, AF.MIL provides special reports, video, audio, and photo galleries.
www.af.mil