I do not believe there is any "Concrete" poured at all. The landing area and outer ring are crushed recycled concrete aka AgSlag . Ground AgSlag is dumped,spread ,packed, vibrated, Watered and Rolled. The inner pad area that looks like brushed concrete pavement is just the AgSlag that has been scarified (ground flat and smooth) and re-watered. Much like grooming of snow done on ski slopes. This is much easier to repair and maintain between landings as all you need to do is grind the area flat and add a little more agSlag water and Roll/smooth. Forms it's own caliche...like desert pavement The outer Ring is just left un-groomed. and no Gravel...Gravel + M1-D Rocket engine = 360 degree shotgun blast of rocks
I've been to LZ-1 and I can assure you center circle is poured concrete. Moreover it has dilatation gaps sealed with some kind of elastomer.
Quote from: MarekCyzio on 02/28/2017 02:39 pmI've been to LZ-1 and I can assure you center circle is poured concrete. Moreover it has dilatation gaps sealed with some kind of elastomer.Note from the picture above that we are not the only people who have debated or been confused by the "Landing Complex" / "Landing Zone" naming debate. Notice the label on the surveyor's benchmark: LC-1. Dated 2015, so things changed afterward, probably to avoid confusion with "Launch Complex".
Massimiliano Ladovaz @M_Ladovaz 17h17 hours agoOn the historic Falcon 9 landing pad
IMO it is likely that the Z accuracy of landings so far have proven a margin of error the could include putting too much stress on the legs. The pattern so far could indicate that it is +/- 3m accuracy, even though it has only actually been off by 1m so far, but 2.5m would break a leg.If all it takes to add margin is to paint the pad, then obviously they'd do it.
I think a big goal of more precise z will be to allow them to reduce the heft of the legs. Pehaps shrink diameter of cylinders, reduce gas tank storage etc. Might be able to shift some borderline asds landings to rtls?
Quote from: dorkmo on 06/06/2017 02:58 amI think a big goal of more precise z will be to allow them to reduce the heft of the legs. Pehaps shrink diameter of cylinders, reduce gas tank storage etc. Might be able to shift some borderline asds landings to rtls?It's possible they are always going to look for ways to be more efficient and accurate landings. This could be a small step toward figuring out ITS cradle landing technology.Regarding heft of the legs, I think of comparisons with Navy vs Air Force plants. Navy planes have more robust landing gear and airframe to support the loads. ASDS has several difficult factors in landing and transportation that RTLS will never face. Is it possible we see different landing gear for RTLS and ASDS cores?
I was checking Planet.com today and found something, and then photoshop them together.The above is from http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36513.msg1627861#msg1627861The bottom is from Planet.com (login required to get higher-res image)Well... Maybe north pad will be ready in time for FH F1?Titus
Land clearing has begun to the north, per May 16 Planet imagery update: link
With Elon recently confirming side boosters RTLS and center core ASDS for FH-1, they definitely have to finish that northern pad before it launches.
Quote from: titusou on 07/31/2017 05:16 pmI was checking Planet.com today and found something, and then photoshop them together.The above is from http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36513.msg1627861#msg1627861The bottom is from Planet.com (login required to get higher-res image)Well... Maybe north pad will be ready in time for FH F1?TitusYep, we’ve been keeping tabs on the progress since at least May.Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 05/18/2017 05:10 amLand clearing has begun to the north, per May 16 Planet imagery update: linkWith Elon recently confirming side boosters RTLS and center core ASDS for FH-1, they definitely have to finish that northern pad before it launches.
Quote from: old_sellsword on 07/31/2017 05:28 pmQuote from: titusou on 07/31/2017 05:16 pmI was checking Planet.com today and found something, and then photoshop them together.The above is from http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36513.msg1627861#msg1627861The bottom is from Planet.com (login required to get higher-res image)Well... Maybe north pad will be ready in time for FH F1?TitusYep, we’ve been keeping tabs on the progress since at least May.Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 05/18/2017 05:10 amLand clearing has begun to the north, per May 16 Planet imagery update: linkWith Elon recently confirming side boosters RTLS and center core ASDS for FH-1, they definitely have to finish that northern pad before it launches.Well, technically they only have to finish it before they land.
Quote from: meekGee on 08/02/2017 07:46 amQuote from: old_sellsword on 07/31/2017 05:28 pmQuote from: titusou on 07/31/2017 05:16 pmI was checking Planet.com today and found something, and then photoshop them together.The above is from http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36513.msg1627861#msg1627861The bottom is from Planet.com (login required to get higher-res image)Well... Maybe north pad will be ready in time for FH F1?TitusYep, we’ve been keeping tabs on the progress since at least May.Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 05/18/2017 05:10 amLand clearing has begun to the north, per May 16 Planet imagery update: linkWith Elon recently confirming side boosters RTLS and center core ASDS for FH-1, they definitely have to finish that northern pad before it launches.Well, technically they only have to finish it before they land. as of 7/28/2017 LINK