Quote from: SpacexULA on 08/01/2011 12:14 amThat's the reason I was sugjesting the A300-600ST Beluga it can use standard runways, and the stages of a rocket sans engines are not that much heavier than aircraft frames.It still needs up to 3,000 feet of runway they don't have.
That's the reason I was sugjesting the A300-600ST Beluga it can use standard runways, and the stages of a rocket sans engines are not that much heavier than aircraft frames.
Quote from: Lee Jay on 08/01/2011 12:37 amQuote from: SpacexULA on 08/01/2011 12:14 amThat's the reason I was sugjesting the A300-600ST Beluga it can use standard runways, and the stages of a rocket sans engines are not that much heavier than aircraft frames.It still needs up to 3,000 feet of runway they don't have.http://www.fltplan.com/AirportInformation/HHR.htmRunway Identification: 07/25Length: 4956 ftWidth: 100 ftSurface: CONCRETE-GOOD CONDITIONEdge lights: Medium IntensityAlmost 5,000 feet?Is that enough?
Quote from: go4mars on 08/01/2011 08:27 pmNo. A 6 m stage would weigh a lot more than 20 tons. I think SpaceX would need more than one Jess Heavy Lifter. Falcon 9 has a first stage fueled to dry weight ratio of just over 20. Scale that up to get a rough idea. Jess Heavy Lifter is apparently waiting on an installment of $100 million. Given the times, unless Elon is willing to invest with Pete Jess and their partner Boeing, the scenario is unlikely. Maybe after Tesla begins to pay out dividends neutral bouyancy airships will be examined. Unless the timing of JHL availability coincides with the need (which is possible) it's more likely that they'll do it somewhere with easy access to a coast. Am I doing something wrong?A wet Falcon 9 weights roughly 330,000 kgSo total Falcon 9 dry weight would be around 20,000 kg?
No. A 6 m stage would weigh a lot more than 20 tons. I think SpaceX would need more than one Jess Heavy Lifter. Falcon 9 has a first stage fueled to dry weight ratio of just over 20. Scale that up to get a rough idea. Jess Heavy Lifter is apparently waiting on an installment of $100 million. Given the times, unless Elon is willing to invest with Pete Jess and their partner Boeing, the scenario is unlikely. Maybe after Tesla begins to pay out dividends neutral bouyancy airships will be examined. Unless the timing of JHL availability coincides with the need (which is possible) it's more likely that they'll do it somewhere with easy access to a coast.
Really hard to see SpaceX moving unless two things happen:1) Taxes really start crimping Elon's style
2) Some state offers the candy store to Elon.
I'm not saying that's necessarily practical or what they are planning, I'm just saying you'd be surprised what size equipment can be moved over the roads if you have the time and money to get it done.
I've looked for this for years. I remember reading about it at the time as being one of the largest, if not the largest item ever moved over a US highway.
It's hard to say exactly what he means by "right next to",
But in any information on other limitations?
It's hard to say exactly what he means by "right next to", but I thinks it's safe to say it's not California or Texas.
Quote from: corrodedNut on 08/03/2011 02:50 pmIt's hard to say exactly what he means by "right next to",How about location in the area that would allow easy transport to the pad? There are industrial parks all over the area. Doing it on the range and having to stop production every time ULA decides to run up the flag seems a bit much. I hear Playalinda would have a great view
It might be easier and cheaper to set up a new launch site and an new HLV assembly facility in South Texas
Anyone have any idea if a Merlin 2 size engine can be truck from Hawthorne to Texas and Florida assembled?
Quote from: Zed_Noir on 08/03/2011 06:13 pmAnyone have any idea if a Merlin 2 size engine can be truck from Hawthorne to Texas and Florida assembled?If it's approximated F-1 size then yes, probably.
Garrett Reisman talks about SpaceX infrastructure in Florida, including possible future production facilities:At about 1:22:00 he says: "...if given the opportunity to compete for the super launch, the heavy lift vehicle, we have preliminary plans to build those tanks...right next to our facility at the launch pad"It's hard to say exactly what he means by "right next to", but I thinks it's safe to say it's not California or Texas.Sounds like they want to keep engine production at Hawthorne, but build larger (than current) tanks as close to the pad as possible.These are "preliminary plans", of course.