Sylvie Willis
The Vandenberg Space Force Base, formerly known as the Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in California that was established in 1941. The base has been the site of several notable events, including the first successful silo-lift launch of the Titan I in 1961 and the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 in 2013. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg also hosts space launches for civil and commercial entities such as NASA and SpaceX. Due to the toxic nature of rocket fuel, the Air Force has considered alternative methods of transporting it to the base, such as by barge through the Panama Canal, to reduce potential health risks associated with trucking it across the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Nitrogen tetroxide |
| Mode of transport | Barges through the Panama Canal |
| Transport route | Vicksburg, Mississippi River, Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean |
| Transport concerns | Public health threat, toxic gas cloud, volatile chemicals |
| Transport frequency | Up to two shipments per month or one every two to three months |
| Fuel storage | 3,057-gallon tank trucks |
| Repair project | Installation of 12 double-wall under dispenser containments (UDCs), 4 double-wall fiberglass piping sumps, 3 double-wall fill sumps, and a Bravo double-wall vent box |
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What You'll Learn
Shipping rocket fuel to Vandenberg by barge
The Vandenberg Space Force Base, previously Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. It was established in 1941 as a space launch base and also performs missile testing. The base hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
In 2019, the Air Force considered shipping highly toxic rocket fuel by barge through the Panama Canal to Vandenberg Air Force Base. The fuel in question, nitrogen tetroxide, can be fatal if inhaled. Previously, the fuel was transported by truck, which sparked a furor in 1987 when it was revealed that trucks carrying the toxic chemicals were driving through the densely populated San Fernando Valley.
An 18-month study was conducted to assess the feasibility of transporting the fuel by barge, as well as the alternative costs of shipping by truck or rail. The study found that transporting the fuel by barge would mean the least possible exposure to the smallest number of people. The barges would depart from Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the fuel is manufactured, and travel down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, through the Panama Canal, and then northwest in the Pacific past Mexico and Baja up to Vandenberg.
The prospect of shipping rocket fuel by barge was not without its concerns. Municipal officials worried about the potential impact of an accidental leak of the fuel during transportation, which could unleash a toxic gas cloud. However, federal officials emphasized that there had been no accidents or incidents involving the release of the product since shipments began in the mid-1960s. The decision on whether to approve the barge transportation method rested with the Pentagon, and the contents of the study were not made public.
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The transportation study by Schneider Engineering
The Air Force was considering shipping highly toxic rocket fuel by barge through the Panama Canal to Vandenberg to reduce potential health threats instead of trucking it across the United States. The rocket fuel components, including nitrogen tetroxide, were being shipped by truck through the densely populated San Fernando Valley, which sparked controversy in 1987.
The ocean transport proposal would involve barges departing from Vicksburg, travelling down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, passing through the Panama Canal, and then moving northwest in the Pacific past Mexico and Baja up to Vandenberg. The cargoes would be unloaded at an unused barge dock built on the base for the space shuttle.
Federal officials have stated that they closely monitor nitrogen tetroxide shipments, with no accidents or incidents involving the release of the product since the mid-1960s. However, municipal officials have raised concerns about the potential release of a toxic gas cloud in the event of an accidental leak on a freeway during transportation.
The study's findings and recommendations were not disclosed to the public, and it is unclear whether the Air Force decided to implement the ocean transport proposal or continue trucking the rocket fuel.
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Safety concerns about toxic gas leaks
Vandenberg Space Force Base, previously Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. The base was established in 1941 and has since seen over 1700 launches. It is the only military base in the country that focuses on launching unmanned satellites into polar orbit.
Vandenberg has been identified as one of the most contaminated military PFAS chemical sites in the United States. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals that can be found in a range of household and industrial materials. They have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, low infant birth rates, immune system problems, and thyroid hormone disruption.
Site-specific contaminants have been observed in monitoring wells, indicating groundwater contamination. Contaminants found at Vandenberg include copper, lead, chlorobenzene, benzene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, acetone, vinyl chloride, 1,2-Dichloroethylene, and Trichloroethylene (TCE). The contamination has not been observed to migrate beyond the immediate area, and the contaminated soils are covered with erosion control material to mitigate full contact. However, base personnel, visitors to the beaches, hunters, and farmers may be at risk of exposure.
The Department of Defense has identified 651 military sites where they are investigating PFAS contamination, with Vandenberg being among the first to initiate the cleanup process. The process includes a preliminary assessment, a site inspection, and a Relative Risk Site Evaluation. In 2018-2019, the Air Force conducted a site assessment to sample and test for PFOS and PFOA, other forms of PFAS, at five Vandenberg release locations. The assessment found these compounds at levels exceeding screening criteria, with the highest detection in groundwater at the former fire training area next to the airfield.
Vandenberg has a history of toxic exposure, and those who have worked at the base and experienced adverse health effects may be eligible for compensation. The base's first silo accident occurred in 1960 when a launcher elevator failed while lowering a fully fueled missile back into the silo. While there were no injuries, this incident highlights the potential risks associated with fuel and toxic chemicals at Vandenberg.
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The Vandenberg Space Force Base Fuel System Repair project
The Vandenberg Space Force Base, previously Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, just before the United States entered World War II, the base has a long history of military and space launch operations.
The project timeline is estimated at approximately three months, from pre-installation construction to final testing. One of the critical aspects of the project is addressing safety considerations. This includes creating a comprehensive site safety plan, marking utility locations, notifying relevant authorities prior to excavation, and ensuring the lock-out tag-out of all electrical systems during specific phases of the project.
The final phase of the project involves the installation of tank top equipment, new product lines, vapor recovery systems, and vent piping. This phase includes thorough inspections of all new components, including piping, sumps, UDCs, and the vent box, before backfilling and completing the work. The goal of the project is to ensure the fuel system functions safely, efficiently, and within the allocated budget.
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Shipping by truck vs. rail or barge costs
The Air Force has been transporting rocket fuel to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California via truck. However, in 1987, it was revealed that the trucks were transporting toxic rocket fuel through the densely populated San Fernando Valley. This sparked a furore, and the Air Force is now considering shipping the fuel by barge or rail instead.
Shipping by barge is a very economical option, with a barge able to carry one ton of cargo 647 miles using just one gallon of fuel. In comparison, freight trains average 477 miles per gallon, while trucks average 145 ton-miles per gallon. Barge shipping also offers environmental benefits, with less fuel use and lower air pollution. However, barge shipping can be challenging due to seasonal changes in water levels causing navigation problems.
Shipping by rail is also a cost-effective option, especially for large volumes travelling long distances. Rail shipping has a lower cost-per-mile and can carry the freight equivalent of 300 trucks. Rail is also more environmentally friendly than trucks, with four times lower fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. However, rail requires the shipper and consignee to have the ability to load and unload rail cars directly, which can be a disadvantage compared to the versatility of trucks.
When comparing the costs of rail vs. truck shipping, the differential in cost per ton-mile is $0.105, with rail being cheaper. For example, shipping a bulk commodity from Houston, TX to Cleveland, OH by truck would cost approximately $5,159 per load, while rail would cost $6,676 per car. However, to take advantage of the cost savings of rail, shippers often combine rail with truck shipping, using a bulk transfer terminal. The cost to combine rail and truck is approximately $95.54 per net ton, while rail direct is $70.27 per net ton, and truck alone is $214.96 per net ton.
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Frequently asked questions
Vandenberg uses rocket fuel, specifically nitrogen tetroxide.
The Air Force transports rocket fuel to Vandenberg via 3,057-gallon tank trucks. However, they are considering shipping the fuel by barge through the Panama Canal to reduce potential health risks associated with trucking toxic chemicals across the country.
The Vandenberg Space Force Base Fuel System Repair project involves the installation of 12 double-wall under dispenser containments (UDCs), 4 double-wall fiberglass piping sumps, and 3 double-wall fill sumps, as well as a new Bravo double-wall vent box. The project aims to enhance the fuel system's safety and efficiency.
