SpaceX Groundbreaking at Vandenberg Air Force Base Wednesday

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Lt. Governor Newsom,
30th Space Wing Commander Boltz, and Lompoc Mayor to Gather at Future Launch Site of
World’s Most Powerful Rocket

WHAT: In April 2011, SpaceX announced its plans to design, build and launch the Falcon Heavy – the world’s largest launch vehicle since the Saturn V moon rocket. The Falcon Heavy should arrive at Vandenberg by the end of 2012 and launch soon thereafter.

On Wednesday, July 13th, 2011, Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s newest launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Falcon Heavy will have the ability to carry payloads weighing over 53 metric tons to orbit, offering more than twice the performance of other commercial providers at one-third of the cost. SpaceX save the Department of Defense at least one billion dollars annually in space launch services with such a rocket, while providing an independent family of vehicles to provide assured access to space.

WHO: Elon Musk, SpaceX Founder, CEO & Chief Technology Officer

Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California
Colonel Richard W. Boltz, Commander, 30th Space Wing and Western Range, Air Force Space Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base
Mayor John Linn, Lompoc

WHERE: Vandenberg Air Force Base (Space Launch Complex 4-East)

WHEN: Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 1:00 PM

ACCREDITATION

News media desiring accreditation for the SpaceX Groundbreaking ceremony should e-mail/fax their requests (including full legal name, date of birth and media affiliation) to:

Jeremy Eggers
30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Telephone: 805-606-3595
FAX: 805-606-4571
E-mail: jeremy.eggers@vandenberg.af.mil

A valid, government-issued photo identification will be required upon arrival at Vandenberg. Foreign press will need to provide a passport number and identify the country where issued in their request.

Media desiring to cover the event should meet at the south gate of VAFB on California State Road 246 at (30 minutes before the event or 12:30 PM) to be escorted by 30th Space Wing Public Affairs to the ceremony site.

Falcon Heavy Video http://www.youtube.com/user/spacexchannel#p/c/F0D3A9748DC5E42D/2/UTwRxtmQ9IY