What’s shown is like an ASDS but larger and set up for BFR launches as well as landings.
If that barge/platform/whatever is 900' long by 300' wide at the waterline (just an example, eyeballed from the screen-grab), it would take an increase of over 17 million pounds to sink it one foot deeper in the water.
I'm not arguing one way or another, as I personally don't think SpaceX plans to seriously look at this for some years.
Quote from: darkenfast on 01/14/2018 03:35 amI'm not arguing one way or another, as I personally don't think SpaceX plans to seriously look at this for some years.You're guess is as good as mine, but I'm leaning toward sooner. BFR is a huge rocket, so there may be issues launching it from land.
IMHO, they'd be better advised to takeover a small island.. they've done that before!
However difficult launching this thing from land may be, there will be more issues launching it from water...
unlike on land where you can retreat into a nice cozy hangar, there is no place to hide if the mother-of-all-storms happens by.
Quote from: CameronD on 01/14/2018 11:04 pmunlike on land where you can retreat into a nice cozy hangar, there is no place to hide if the mother-of-all-storms happens by. I see it just the opposite. When a hurricane storm surge hits, I'd guess a land-based launch pad near the shore would sustain more damage than a fixed launch site 5-10 miles offshore.Also, for a fixed launch site 5-10 miles offshore, what prevents them from bringing the rocket back to the hangar? There's always advance warning for severe weather.
So let's just say that, assuming a 'fixed launch site' in shallow water of the style shown in the presentation actually remains floating..
I'm talking about the surge. When a storm surge comes inland, it picks up cars and other large objects and slams them into buildings and other fixed structures.
Quote from: CameronD on 01/15/2018 02:33 amSo let's just say that, assuming a 'fixed launch site' in shallow water of the style shown in the presentation actually remains floating..remains floating ? I'm not talking about a floating launch site. As I said before, I believe the launch site Elon presented at IAC 2017 is more like a man-made island than a barge, with a rigid structure connecting it to the ocean floor.I'm also not talking about a direct hit from a hurricane, which would likely damage any launch site.I'm talking about the surge. When a storm surge comes inland, it picks up cars and other large objects and slams them into buildings and other fixed structures.