I seem to recall something on the lines of Elon proposing that a 6m Falcon could be built at Hawthorne. I've looked at google and it's not really far from a port. In fact it seems there's an avenue that goes straight to port. The pictures of the factory seem to show a place big enough for a lot. Obviously they would need bigger tooling, and a sea going transport. But in any information on other limitations?BTW, they could build a 7.2m fairing (if they had the tooling)? I mean, a half is less than 12.5 feet high for road transport, but the with would be impressive (24ft)
Does the port have infrastructure for 8m-wide cargo? -Alex
I seem to recall something on the lines of Elon proposing that a 6m Falcon could be built at Hawthorne. I've looked at google and it's not really far from a port. In fact it seems there's an avenue that goes straight to port.
Quote from: baldusi on 07/31/2011 04:26 amI seem to recall something on the lines of Elon proposing that a 6m Falcon could be built at Hawthorne. I've looked at google and it's not really far from a port. In fact it seems there's an avenue that goes straight to port. There isn't a port near by. Long Beach is the closest and there isn't path to it for that size
Quote from: Jim on 07/31/2011 03:17 pmQuote from: baldusi on 07/31/2011 04:26 amI seem to recall something on the lines of Elon proposing that a 6m Falcon could be built at Hawthorne. I've looked at google and it's not really far from a port. In fact it seems there's an avenue that goes straight to port. There isn't a port near by. Long Beach is the closest and there isn't path to it for that sizeI'm not convinced that's really true. I moved something 4.8m in diameter from a mountain on the North shore of Oahu to Denver.It wouldn't be easy and it would certainly require significant permitting and possibly some night road closures, but having looked at the route, I think it could be done if it had to be.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. There are whole companies that specialize in doing exactly this sort of thing.
Quote from: Lee Jay on 07/31/2011 03:53 pmQuote from: Jim on 07/31/2011 03:17 pmQuote from: baldusi on 07/31/2011 04:26 amI seem to recall something on the lines of Elon proposing that a 6m Falcon could be built at Hawthorne. I've looked at google and it's not really far from a port. In fact it seems there's an avenue that goes straight to port. There isn't a port near by. Long Beach is the closest and there isn't path to it for that sizeI'm not convinced that's really true. I moved something 4.8m in diameter from a mountain on the North shore of Oahu to Denver.It wouldn't be easy and it would certainly require significant permitting and possibly some night road closures, but having looked at the route, I think it could be done if it had to be.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. There are whole companies that specialize in doing exactly this sort of thing.I had the chance to see a couple of times how they move a turbine for a power plant. The truck that carried it was pretty huge (at least the trailer was), it was 2-3 lanes wide. The thing traveled at about 15km/h and had a sizeable escort including police cars. Obviously the road was closed during the move.Definitely possible.
Spacecraft have a hard enough time to go from Redondo Beach to LAX. Money is the key. One time only is one thing, to routinely do it is another.
Quote from: Jim on 07/31/2011 04:24 pmSpacecraft have a hard enough time to go from Redondo Beach to LAX. Money is the key. One time only is one thing, to routinely do it is another.Yep, agreed. Cities are tolerant of doing something a bit ugly once, or a few times, but doing it routinely is another matter and is quite often frowned upon.
Since it doesn't look like its going to see much use in the near term, would it be possible for Elon to "rent" Michoud assembly facility, and just do it there? Could this be done?
Build a big (aluminum?) transport canister and rent a Sky-Crane.
Build a big (aluminum?) transport canister/platform and rent a Sky-Crane or Mi-26.