SpaceX rocket launches seen in San Diego cause concern for other SoCal residents

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Silent rockets seen streaming over San Diego County at dusk, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, are causing concern for residents in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Zach Plopper, the senior environmental director for the Surfrider Foundation, expressed his concerns regarding the noise disruption from the rockets, stating, "Insanely loud boom, and it literally shakes the house, so if that’s happening twice a week, that’s pretty egregious."

Plopper highlighted worries about SpaceX's plans to increase rocket launches from 50 to 100 annually. The foundation is urging the Coastal Commission to monitor excessive launches due to wildlife disruptions.

"There's not a ton of power that the Coastal Commission has over all the decisions that are made at Vandenberg, but we think there are opportunities, at least in some, so we can do a more methodical approach, but you get a full set of anaylsis on what all the potential impacts might be on the environment and the public's ability to access our coastline," Plopper said.

Professor Pat Abbott from San Diego State University appreciated the aesthetic of rockets streaking through the sky, finding it visually pleasing.

Science progress and exploration, according to Abbott, present challenges with competing factors. While Starlink’s planned 42,000 satellites promise seamless internet for every community, Abbott cautioned about the fragile nature of the atmosphere.

"The atmosphere is a lot more delicate and a lot more responsive to stimuli or changes than one might think," Abbott said.

Abbott emphasized the importance of respecting and carefully managing the atmosphere amidst the daily barrage of rocket launches worldwide.

"You can’t just do anything you want to the atmosphere, you have to respect it and put more care and guidance watching over the atmosphere to keep it functioning properly," Abbott said.