SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 3

[Hauerg]

I can't say that quote really makes much sense to me.

 "SpaceX would also make hearing protection devices available to residents to reduce noise levels below 115 dBA at distances up to approximately 2.1 miles for the Falcon Heavy."

I read it this way: The FAA said anything over 115 dB is unacceptably loud, so SpaceX volunteered to hand out earplugs to all Boca Chica residents for every Falcon Heavy launch.  Problem solved.

If you're lucky, the earplugs will have a SpaceX logo on them. A little memento.

At work, they are quart sized plastic bags with individually packed pairs of closed-cell foam plugs.
Perhaps SpaceX would get some customized but odds are they will just be industrial bags of plugs.
But I basically agree with Dave G's reading of the statement, except that the "acceptable" level could be lower than 115 dB.

Hm. F1 is still complaing that you cannot hear the 128dB 2016 cars.

[hamerad]

I can't say that quote really makes much sense to me.

 "SpaceX would also make hearing protection devices available to residents to reduce noise levels below 115 dBA at distances up to approximately 2.1 miles for the Falcon Heavy."

I read it this way: The FAA said anything over 115 dB is unacceptably loud, so SpaceX volunteered to hand out earplugs to all Boca Chica residents for every Falcon Heavy launch.  Problem solved.

If you're lucky, the earplugs will have a SpaceX logo on them. A little memento.

At work, they are quart sized plastic bags with individually packed pairs of closed-cell foam plugs.
Perhaps SpaceX would get some customized but odds are they will just be industrial bags of plugs.
But I basically agree with Dave G's reading of the statement, except that the "acceptable" level could be lower than 115 dB.

Hm. F1 is still complaing that you cannot hear the 128dB 2016 cars.

That could be because they've gone deaf front listening to the louder cars they used to have though :-)

Would be nice of Spacex if they gave residents electronic noise cancelling headphones though, but yea probably disposable to save costs.

edit/Lar: fix quotes... check your quotes, friends!

[launchwatcher]

That could be because they've gone deaf front listening to the louder cars they used to have though :-)

Would be nice of Spacex if they gave residents electronic noise cancelling headphones though, but yea probably disposable to save costs.

in my experience active noise cancellation headphones don't attenuate all that well in very loud spaces.   (I was much happier with foam earplugs under a cheap pair of earcup-style hearing protectors after the Bose QC3's didn't cut it)

On the other hand, you can get pairs of earplugs printed with your logo for pennies a pair:

http://www.earplugstore.com/cuimearpl.html

[mfck]

That could be because they've gone deaf front listening to the louder cars they used to have though :-)

Would be nice of Spacex if they gave residents electronic noise cancelling headphones though, but yea probably disposable to save costs.

in my experience active noise cancellation headphones don't attenuate all that well in very loud spaces.   (I was much happier with foam earplugs under a cheap pair of earcup-style hearing protectors after the Bose QC3's didn't cut it)

On the other hand, you can get pairs of earplugs printed with your logo for pennies a pair:

http://www.earplugstore.com/cuimearpl.html

While safety and health are paramount, one should not reduce the FH launch experience to visual and tactile alone.

HiFi earplugs overview

[Nomadd]

 I looked at my long list of things to work on today, and naturally decided to go to the beach instead.

 The thing in the new Google shots that looked like a Dragon turned out to be some old concrete slabs.

 I'm not sure what they're rolling out on the west side of the mesa. I'll have to get a closer look when things are quieter. Something to keep the hill from winding up in Cuba when the winds pick up I'd guess.

 Somebody is way ahead of us on remote camera installation. Pretty sloppy wiring with the winds you get out here. I'm thinking of bringing some tie wraps out next time to fix it up. I guess it could be a Border Patrol camera, but it's right across the road, staring at the hill, so I assume it's SpaceX security.

[mlindner]

Somebody is way ahead of us on remote camera installation. Pretty sloppy wiring with the winds you get out here. I'm thinking of bringing some tie wraps out next time to fix it up. I guess it could be a Border Patrol camera, but it's right across the road, staring at the hill, so I assume it's SpaceX security.

SpaceX beat you to the punch. You need to catch up.

[Lar]

Fixing their cam for them just seems neighborly somehow.

And when the cops ask you what you're up to you can whip out offer to slowly show them your tapatalk and show that post...

edit: fixed

[Johnnyhinbos]

Fixing their cam for them just seems neighborly somehow.

And when the cops ask you what you're up to you can whip out your tapatalk and show that post...

Helpful hint: When the cops ask you something, I highly recommend against whipping anything out...

[Nomadd]

Fixing their cam for them just seems neighborly somehow.

And when the cops ask you what you're up to you can whip out your tapatalk and show that post...

Helpful hint: When the cops ask you something, I highly recommend against whipping anything out...

[bocachicagal]

I wonder if this is what they are trying to prevent. This pic was taken after a couple heavy rains.

[bocachicagal]

This is what they are covering the mound with. It looks like burlap.

[cscott]

Probably something like http://www.amleo.com/jute-fabric-blanket-roll-4ft-x-225ft/p/JE1/

The main difference between the different products seems to be whether you want to allow or discourage plant growth while the cloth is in place.

[bocachicagal]

It's just about all wrapped up. 

[Nomadd]

 There are people poking around the spot where the UT site will be, mowing and messing with the new fiber conduit drops. Maybe work there is close to commencing.
 Also, oyster beds in South Bay were discovered by some dumbass kayaker who stayed out too long and had to tow the boat back the last few hundred yards when the tide went out. Those suckers are sharp. At least nobody was watching.

[Chris_Pi]

Upside: Launch cookout site located 

[TMI]

This is what they are covering the mound with. It looks like burlap.

It's basically a mat that aims to reduce silt and soil movement and provides a foundation for plants to establish on. Hydro seeding seems to be a popular way of getting grass or other native seeds to take hold of the new ground. Have a look at some videos on youtube for the hydro seeding, most of it seems to be small guys but they use it on slopes around highways a fair bit.

[Kabloona]

Reminds me of the Cahokia Mounds, minus grass.

[Dave G]

More on the SATA Group opening a plant in Brownsville, along with future plans to bring more manufacturing companies into the area:
https://riograndeguardian.com/how-brownsville-landed-a-114-million-heavy-manufacturing-project-part-ii/

Discussing BEDC’s success in landing first SpaceX and now SATA USA, Hilts said: “I love SpaceX. They are great for our community...”

Hilts then explained that SATA USA’s arrival in Brownsville is just the first piece of larger heavy manufacturing jigsaw.

“We are working to bring a foundry with this. Along with that a forging operation. Hopefully steel aluminum die casting, and plastic injection molding. Just imagine the type of suppliers and support industries we can bring in. Also, how many entrepreneurs we can potentially create from these kinds of companies and jobs coming into the community? To me this is huge. It is a starting point.”

Hilts ran through the names of other manufacturing companies BEDC has brought to Brownsville in the recent years and months – companies such as CK Technologies, True-Tone, Fisher Dynamics, MVP Plastics, and Cardone. “This (SATA USA) is just the next piece. We are going to keep adding pieces,” Hilts said.

Regarding SATA, Hilts said the company is a “value-added” machining operation. “They are a piece of a puzzle we are working to put together. They are the first piece coming. They are a machining operation doing value-added machining for companies like Caterpillar, John Deere. They are in the automotive industry, heavy equipment industry, trucks, construction, agriculture. They are very diversified.

[Kansan52]

Nomadd, you probably already know this but just in case. When doing the tie wraps, don't cinch them down overly tight. Was told a tale of woe about by an installer about replacing Cat 5 cable that had been cinched tightly enough to deform the cable.


(removed duplicate material.)

[Dave G]

...you can get pairs of earplugs printed with your logo for pennies a pair:
http://www.earplugstore.com/cuimearpl.html

Very cool.

I have to wonder if these posts affect SpaceX behavior in any way.