Leaders discuss plan to develop thriving spaceport at Vandenberg Air Force Base

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - New developments in the REACH 2030 initiative was discussed in a zoom meeting Wednesday morning.

"We have no plans of slowing down on the work, research and innovation that pushes boundaries and connects us to what’s possible in the future of the space industry," said President Jeff Armstrong with Cal Poly.

There's a new plan to put Vandenberg Air Force Base on the forefront of the final frontier.

It's part of the Reach initiative to bring 15,000 jobs to the Central Coast by 2030.

"Today’s announcements, this plan, these partnerships ensure that all of this is possible to an even greater extent with benefits more far-reaching than this region," said Armstrong.

The goal is to expand Vandenberg's footprint with the government and the commercial space industry.

Economists want to take advantage of a $425 Billion industry that’s only expected to grow.


"it will grow to $3 Trillion over the next three decades. It’s a huge opportunity and why REACH adopted building a space enterprise," said President and CEO Melissa James of REACH.

The 30th Space Wing will work with the state, REACH, Cal Poly and Deloitte to develop a plan to build the infrastructure, get financing and more to meet this goal in the next decade.

"Together with US space command we'll ensure that our nation will persevere in the face of any adversary who threatens us in space," said Col. Anthony Mastalir of Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The meeting focused on creating a thriving commercial spaceport at Vandenberg Air Force Base, an already established launch site used by NASA, the military and private enterprise.