Under the lease, SpaceX will launch its Falcon 9, a reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, to propel cargo from Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, a military base just north of Los Angeles, into orbit. Musk's space company has two other launch sites in Florida and a private Starbase complex in south Texas. 

"This is an exciting time for Vandenberg Space Force Base.

"This agreement will add to the rich history of SLC-6 and builds on the already strong partnership with SpaceX," said Col. Robert Long, commander of Space Launch Delta 30.