Author Topic: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica  (Read 1221372 times)

Offline Johnnyhinbos

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Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« on: 04/19/2020 01:12 pm »
I'd like to have a thread dedicated to the manufacturing facility in Boca Chica. There's one for the launch facility and one to discuss the actual Starships as they are built, but wanted to create a thread to align with the threads for Port of LA as well as the Cocoa site. I think this could be a good place to add site maps and flyovers, as well as discussion specific to the site itself.

Mods, if you don't agree feel free to relocate / remove / etc.

To kick things off I wanted to get a square footage of the site as it evolves There's missing data but if folks have info I'll edit this header post to reflect it.

I shouldn't be, but I'm amazed by the fact that they are staging parts for yet another Sprung structure (at least one more).

This puts manufacturing space at: (anyone who has some square footage please add - I'll edit this post with the numbers)

For each Sprung structure is 150' x 255' = 38,250 sq ft x 3 = 114,750 sq ft.

Plus the long Big Top tents which I believe is 150' x 260' = 39,000 sq ft.

Plus two smaller Big Top tents at: ?

Plus the third Big Top tent under construction, which I believe is the relocated barrel forming tent at: ?

Plus the Propulsion building at: ?

Plus the new metal structure with the bridge crane at: ?

Plus the High Bay at: ?

Plus the V Bay at: ?
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Online kenny008

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #1 on: 04/19/2020 01:50 pm »
I’d also be interested in seeing people’s thoughts on the manufacturing flow. I’m picturing an auto assembly line, and I’m not sure I see this same assembly line here.  After a ring is built, where does it go?  How do you picture the bulkheads arranged and transported to different areas of the facility?

If someone could maybe diagram their thoughts, that would be helpful.

Offline GregTheGrumpy

Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #2 on: 04/20/2020 04:28 am »
This would also be a good place to codify some naming for the various different buildings.  I've seen a lot of variation and that's confusing in itself.  Oh, and perhaps the date the building was first "built" or "opened for use" or similar.
« Last Edit: 04/20/2020 04:29 am by GregTheGrumpy »

Offline Nomadd

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #3 on: 04/20/2020 05:59 am »
 The 3rd Sprung tent is set on an extra container level, plus it looks like the door is a few feet higher relative to the top, so I think the door from ground level is a good 12 feet higher than the other tents, probably for a reason.
 The low height of the new metal building, bridge crane and area make me think barrel former. Maybe both of them, since they'll have four areas big enough for a workstation.
 I think the long big top is only 100 feet wide.
 This is a good picture to judge by since the SN2 tank is almost exactly the same distance from the camera as the tent. (Even if I did cut the tent off a little)
 You can see that the door is way too small for a ring. The other end is the same.
« Last Edit: 04/20/2020 06:11 am by Nomadd »
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Online starskale

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #4 on: 04/22/2020 05:28 am »
The 3rd Sprung tent is set on an extra container level, plus it looks like the door is a few feet higher relative to the top, so I think the door from ground level is a good 12 feet higher than the other tents, probably for a reason.

From: https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/03/inside-elon-musks-plan-to-build-one-starship-a-week-and-settle-mars/

"A view of work being done on the third tent. Hard to tell from this, but it will stand taller to accommodate nose cone work."

Offline edzieba

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #5 on: 04/22/2020 10:26 am »
I'm sure I recall Elon tweeted at some point the 3rd tent was raised to accommodate the nose.

Offline RoboGoofers

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #6 on: 04/22/2020 12:24 pm »
I'd like to have a thread dedicated to the manufacturing facility in Boca Chica. There's one for the launch facility and one to discuss the actual Starships as they are built, but wanted to create a thread to align with the threads for Port of LA as well as the Cocoa site. I think this could be a good place to add site maps and flyovers, as well as discussion specific to the site itself.

Mods, if you don't agree feel free to relocate / remove / etc.

To kick things off I wanted to get a square footage of the site as it evolves There's missing data but if folks have info I'll edit this header post to reflect it.

I shouldn't be, but I'm amazed by the fact that they are staging parts for yet another Sprung structure (at least one more).

This puts manufacturing space at: (anyone who has some square footage please add - I'll edit this post with the numbers)

For each Sprung structure is 150' x 255' = 38,250 sq ft x 3 = 114,750 sq ft.

Plus the long Big Top tents which I believe is 150' x 260' = 39,000 sq ft.

Plus two smaller Big Top tents at: ?

Plus the third Big Top tent under construction, which I believe is the relocated barrel forming tent at: ?

Plus the Propulsion building at: ?

Plus the new metal structure with the bridge crane at: ?

Plus the High Bay at: ?

Plus the V Bay at: ?
the other thread isn't just about the launch pad. It's about the "launch site" which is what we called all the SX Brownsville metro area property back in 2013 or whenever they started purchasing property.

Offline Dave G

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #7 on: 04/22/2020 10:21 pm »
the other thread isn't just about the launch pad. It's about the "launch site" which is what we called all the SX Brownsville metro area property...
Yep

... back in 2013 or whenever they started purchasing property.
The other thread actually goes back to April 2012 (link here).

Over 8 years.  Doesn't seem that long ago.  I must be getting old.

Offline harrystranger

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #8 on: 04/27/2020 01:19 am »
Some new satellite imagery of the facility.
Edit: Updated imagery
https://twitter.com/HarryStrangerPG/status/1254580458047696906?s
« Last Edit: 04/27/2020 08:24 am by harrystranger »

Offline retrojet

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #9 on: 04/27/2020 05:12 am »
some dimensions I have found: (on lab padre chat and in this forum)

Sprung Structures: (Tent 1 and 2)
Imperial: 255' d x 155' w, Max height 65', Door 40' w x 46' h.
Metric: 77.7m d x 47.2m w, Max height 19.8m, Door 12.2m w x 14m h

For Tent 3 add HEIGHT of 8.6 ft or 2.6 m (for one shipping container)
For Tent 1 the new length is: 375 ft / ~115 m

Flat long Tent (near junk yard)
"All 25 arches are up for a 260 foot long tent. 5 feet longer than the big Onion tents." [Nomadd]
260 x 100 ft // ~ 80 m x ~30 m

Propulsion Building
Size 70x34m / ~230x112
Built 05/2019
[source: Raul General SpaceX Map 7 https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1wvgFIPuOmI8da9EIB88tHo9vamo&hl=en_US&ll=25.9866166285709%2C-97.18483470395023&z=18]

new Lab Padre Antenna:
Height: 10 m


Offline retrojet

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #10 on: 04/27/2020 05:39 am »
And some dimensions from my 3D drawings, which I constructed by eye and comparing pictures (still to be confirmed by locals):

Highbay
~ 19 m x 29 m // ~ 62 ft x 95 ft (was written in this forum somewhere)
Height: 49 m // 160 ft (not confirmed)
Built 03/2020

Big Triangle Shelter / Old Highbay / Stonehenge
Width:  ~ 36 m (?) / ~ 118 ft (not confirmed)
From Tip of Triangle to the Entrance : Depth: ~ 25 m  / ~ 82 ft (not confirmed)
Height: between 30 m - 35 m / 98 ft - 115 ft
Built 09/2019

New Ring Making Building
Width: 29 m / 95 ft [source: Nomadd, at least the concrete platform underneath the building is 95 ft in width]
Length: ? (something between 30 and 36 m)
Height Pointed Roof Tip: ~ 12 m /  39 ft  (not confirmed)
Built 04/2020

Old Press or Water Jet Cutting Tent
21 m x 24 m / 69 x 78 ft (not confirmed)
Height: ?
Assembled 01/2020

Old Ring Making Tent
already dissesembled
~ 19 m x 28 m / 62 x 92 ft (not confirmed)
Height: ?
Built ?/2019

Parking Lot
~ 132 x 81 m / 433 x 265 ft (not confirmed)
Built ?/2020

Stargate
Both adjoining buildings combined:
50 x 20 m / 164 x 65 ft (not confirmed)
Built: 2017 ? (someone knows the right date)

« Last Edit: 04/27/2020 05:40 am by retrojet »

Offline retrojet

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #11 on: 04/27/2020 11:27 am »
a little preview for the next VIRTUAL FLYOVER.
the picture is pretty big, so you can zoom in a lot! SO CLICK ON THE PICTURE!
enjoy

Offline Okie_Steve

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #12 on: 04/27/2020 04:08 pm »
I realize this is focused on SpaceX construction and launch infrastructure and not on property acquisition and who own which other lots,  but it might be worth noting the Z-shaped "SpaceX Exclusion Zone" South of Remedios which is in the middle of the otherwise contiguous assembly area. People who do not follow the property acquisition thread may wonder why that area is left unused in such a cramped site.

Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #13 on: 04/27/2020 05:25 pm »
Hey, I think your layouts are terrific. The only noticeable discrepancy I can see is the depth of the new ring making building. From observing it on LabPadre's webcam, it is clearly at least twice as deep as it is wide. Thanks for all the great efforts. I use these flyovers to reorient myself to what I'm seeing all the time.

And some dimensions from my 3D drawings, which I constructed by eye and comparing pictures (still to be confirmed by locals):

Highbay
~ 19 m x 29 m // ~ 62 ft x 95 ft (was written in this forum somewhere)
Height: 49 m // 160 ft (not confirmed)
Built 03/2020

Big Triangle Shelter / Old Highbay / Stonehenge
Width:  ~ 36 m (?) / ~ 118 ft (not confirmed)
From Tip of Triangle to the Entrance : Depth: ~ 25 m  / ~ 82 ft (not confirmed)
Height: between 30 m - 35 m / 98 ft - 115 ft
Built 09/2019

New Ring Making Building
Width: 29 m / 95 ft [source: Nomadd, at least the concrete platform underneath the building is 95 ft in width]
Length: ? (something between 30 and 36 m)
Height Pointed Roof Tip: ~ 12 m /  39 ft  (not confirmed)
Built 04/2020

Old Press or Water Jet Cutting Tent
21 m x 24 m / 69 x 78 ft (not confirmed)
Height: ?
Assembled 01/2020

Old Ring Making Tent
already dissesembled
~ 19 m x 28 m / 62 x 92 ft (not confirmed)
Height: ?
Built ?/2019

Parking Lot
~ 132 x 81 m / 433 x 265 ft (not confirmed)
Built ?/2020

Stargate
Both adjoining buildings combined:
50 x 20 m / 164 x 65 ft (not confirmed)
Built: 2017 ? (someone knows the right date)

Offline enbandi

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #14 on: 04/27/2020 05:46 pm »
Some minor details for the new "ring fabrication" building: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2020016284

Quote
Start Date: 3/17/2020
Completion Date: 5/11/2020
Estimated Cost: $1,000,000
Type of Work: New Construction
Scope of Work: This building is a pre engineered metal building that will be used for fabrication tooling to produce rocket prototypes.
Square Footage: 12,135 ft 2

Somebody has a question about Stargate: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/EABPRJB7801021
And the older "propulsion building": https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2020002881

ps: Not so much details in these "permits", but as I see permanent buildings tend to have a registration (ironhenge and highbay do not have), and also the last two registrations appeared well after the start date (for the new building actually today).
« Last Edit: 04/27/2020 05:50 pm by enbandi »

Offline retrojet

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #15 on: 05/01/2020 12:51 pm »
new video from 27th and the online 3D viewer:

ASSEMBLY / TRACKING AREA: https://p3d.in/4j9Pg
LAUNCH PAD : https://p3d.in/dGEWg





Offline retrojet

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #16 on: 05/11/2020 10:11 am »
I did a better measurement of the Ground fabrication building. I was pretty far off on length. It looks like 95 by about 125 feet.

Ground Fabrication Building
95ft x 125ft
or: 29m x 38m

Offline retrojet

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #17 on: 05/14/2020 07:56 am »
We have a new Metal Structure going up in front of the flat long tent
(second picture from original quote)

looks a bit smaller, than the "GROUND FABRICATION"-Building, but constructed in similar style.


A few more pics taken at the build site. A new building going up out back.
« Last Edit: 05/14/2020 07:59 am by retrojet »

Online WiresMN

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #18 on: 05/14/2020 01:06 pm »
We have a new Metal Structure going up in front of the flat long tent
(second picture from original quote)

looks a bit smaller, than the "GROUND FABRICATION"-Building, but constructed in similar style.


A few more pics taken at the build site. A new building going up out back.

The big difference is the lack of rails for an overhead crane. It really looks like a narrow and short version of the white propulsion building.

 Just when I think I'm getting a picture what they are planning, they put this building here. Very strange. It will be interesting to see if they insulate it.

Offline butters

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Re: Starship Manufacturing Facility in Boca Chica
« Reply #19 on: 05/14/2020 01:34 pm »
One thing I try to keep in mind when thinking about the newer "permanent" metal structures is that they plan on switching to wider rolls of stainless that will produce taller rings. So the "Ground Fabrication" building that seems like it's built to accommodate double-ring sections is more likely to be sized for the single rings they'll be making in the near future, if they're thinking ahead for these metal structures.

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