Building · 2026
Airlock Processing Encapsulation Bay(APEB)
Lompoc, CA · near Vandenberg Space Force Base (0.9 mi)
What this outcome means
The FAA studied the proposal and concluded it would not be a hazard to air navigation. A no-hazard determination is not permanent — it carries an expiration date, and if the structure is not built by then the case has to be re-filed.
The proposal, in the filer's words
"Astrotech is constructing a 120 by 120 foot payload processing bay extension to our existing five meter bay. this project is being constructed for the United States Space Force National Security Space launch Program. there will be a mobile onsite crane for steel erection of the proposed structure. a crane plan is provided for reference."
Filing details
- Case number (ASN)
- 2026-AWP-8461-OE
- Structure
- Airlock Processing Encapsulation Bay(APEB)
- Type
- Building
- Category
- Building
- Height above ground
- 135 ft
- Height above sea level
- 406 ft
- Site elevation
- 271 ft
- Notice of
- New Construction
- Duration
- Permanent
- Marking & lighting
- —
Timeline
- Filed
- May 6, 2026
- Determined
- June 2, 2026
- Determination expires
- December 2, 2027
A determination that lapses before the structure is built has to be re-filed. The FAA does not send a reminder.
Who filed it
- Sponsor
- Astrotech Space Operations
- Representative
- Blake Cothren
Names are shown as they appear in the FAA's public record. How we handle names
Location
- Coordinates
- 34.741624, -120.599357
- Degrees / minutes / seconds
- 34°44'29.8"N 120°35'57.7"W
- County
- Santa Barbara
- Open in a map
- Google MapsOpenStreetMap
Other filings within 5 miles
Organisation-sponsored 2026 filings whose coordinates sit near this one.
About this record
This page is a readable copy of a public record published by the FAA's Obstruction Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis system. It is not the official record and may lag it. For the authoritative case status, search this ASN at the FAA's OE/AAA portal. If something here is wrong, email support@idea-engine.studio and we will correct it.
Source: FAA Obstruction Evaluation / Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) public archive (oeaaa.faa.gov), data as of September 12, 2026. Compiled by LOS Analyzer (Idea Engine LLC). This is not an official FAA record or an FAA determination; the FAA's portal is authoritative. LOS Analyzer is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA.
Screening a structure of your own?
Check Part 77 and the tower's line of sight before you file
LOS Analyzer screens a proposed structure against FAA Part 77 surfaces and the control tower's sightline to the runway, terrain-aware, in minutes. It is a preliminary screening — not an FAA determination and not a substitute for a licensed engineering review.