Vandenberg Space Force Base concluded a four-stop ‘Mission Update’ community speaker series in Ojai, focusing on sonic booms caused by launches from the base. Ojai’s Mayor Andy Gilman has personally experienced the sonic booms at his home near city hall, describing the windows rattling, but believes the issue is improving.

Launches and Sonic Booms

Col. James T. Horne III, Launch Delta 30 Commander, led the discussion, emphasizing the base’s care for the environment. He reported 42 launches from Vandenberg so far this year, matching the number from Cape Canaveral, with about 48 more launches expected by the end of the year.

Some community members expressed concerns about the launches, citing health, environmental, and safety reasons. However, others appreciate the importance of the base, established in 1941. Col. Horne highlighted the significance of space capability, noting that everyone with a phone should care about space, as many applications rely on space capability provided by the base.

Dr. Kent Gee from Brigham Young University spoke about the sonic booms produced by the wake of the missile launches, explaining that the intensity can vary depending on the launch trajectory and weather conditions. Summer winds usually reduce the intensity, but the sonic boom can still sound like a rumble or a thump, potentially rattling windows and cracking plaster.

Community Response

A woman in the audience shared concerns about the potential harm to her hearing from the sonic booms. The base has a website where people can share noise complaints and claims, as well as a link to receive alerts prior to a launch window opening.

Nathan Griffin of Ventura appreciated the first public meeting in Ojai, while Jim Yarbrough of Ojai expressed concerns about surveillance linked to commercial launches and the potential arms race.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.