"And to our enemies," responded Commissioner Dayna Bochco. "Musk had a lot to say about that."

Russia has banned the use of Starlink and the company has said it has denied giving the technology to Russia. Still, Ukrainian military officials have said Russian troops have been using the satellite network to communicate in the war.

Commissioners and residents noted the local impacts of the increasing number of launches from Vandenberg.

Rocket launches that shut down nearby Jalama Beach for safety reasons were limited by the commission to no more than 12 this year, but commission staff noted that number had been surpassed in the first seven months of 2023.

According to a staff report, SpaceX conducted 13 rocket launches in 2022, more than double the number that had been agreed to that year. The company also exceeded the number in 2023, with 28 launches, before it first reached out to the coastal commission in December for permission to increase the number to 36 per year.

In exchange for allowing more launches, SpaceX has proposed placing internet terminals at Jalama Beach, which could help manage reservations and notify visitors when an evacuation could occur.

The company has also proposed adding a messaging sign on the road leading to the beach to notify visitors of a closure ahead, saving some visitors about a 45-minute drive.

Under the agreement, the Department of Defense has also proposed providing a shuttle to ferry visitors out of the beach during evacuations.

But commissioners expressed concern about the overall number of launches from the base in coming years, not just by SpaceX but also by other companies working with the military.

Last year, 37 launches were conducted at the base, Titus said.

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