Author Topic: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9  (Read 775125 times)

Offline testguy

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 607
  • Clifton, Virginia
  • Liked: 625
  • Likes Given: 599
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #860 on: 02/25/2019 08:58 pm »
Some of new pictures from RGV Aerial Photography.

See more here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/RGVaerialphotography/posts/

SpaceX is bringing in a good deal of soil in the lower circular area.  Could this be the beginning of the talked about Starship factory?  Maybe too close to the Hopper launch pad.
« Last Edit: 02/25/2019 10:17 pm by testguy »

Offline cppetrie

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 792
  • Liked: 552
  • Likes Given: 3
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #861 on: 02/25/2019 09:02 pm »
Some of new pictures from RGV Aerial Photography.

See more here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/RGVaerialphotography/posts/

SpaceX is bring in a good deal of soil in the lower circular area.  Could this be the beginning of the talked about Starship factory?  Maybe too close to the Hopper launch pad.
Pretty sure that isn’t new soil. Just surcharge soil that has been moved from pad site.

Offline Wargrim

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 525
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Liked: 1029
  • Likes Given: 552
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #862 on: 02/25/2019 09:35 pm »
Amazing quality on those latest air pics. Amongst other things the best view of the exact pipe connections.  ;D

Offline Nomadd

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8840
  • Lower 48
  • Liked: 60431
  • Likes Given: 1305
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #863 on: 02/25/2019 09:52 pm »
Some of new pictures from RGV Aerial Photography.

See more here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/RGVaerialphotography/posts/

SpaceX is bring in a good deal of soil in the lower circular area.  Could this be the beginning of the talked about Starship factory?  Maybe too close to the Hopper launch pad.
Those piles are sand and clay they've scraped off the surface. They've been hauling it away. Most of the stuff from the mound got pushed outward to make the hill wider. They might not have needed the surcharging. It was originally for a large warehouse foundation.
« Last Edit: 02/26/2019 12:42 am by Nomadd »
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.

Offline rcoppola

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2355
  • USA
  • Liked: 1967
  • Likes Given: 970
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #864 on: 02/25/2019 10:08 pm »
Still a good bet they'll be pouring a circular landing pad in that lower area.
Sail the oceans of space and set foot upon new lands!
http://www.stormsurgemedia.com

Offline Kansan52

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1488
  • Hutchinson, KS
  • Liked: 570
  • Likes Given: 539
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #865 on: 02/25/2019 10:40 pm »
I'm confused. I try to keep up but things are changing rapidly. My understanding is Heavy and Starship will be built somewhere in or near Brownsville. Hopper and Starship Prototype will test at the BC launch site. But Heavy will not test or launch at BC. At this time since things change rapidly.

So Hopper and Starship but no Heavy launching from BC?

Offline ZChris13

I'm confused. I try to keep up but things are changing rapidly. My understanding is Heavy and Starship will be built somewhere in or near Brownsville. Hopper and Starship Prototype will test at the BC launch site. But Heavy will not test or launch at BC. At this time since things change rapidly.

So Hopper and Starship but no Heavy launching from BC?
things that are known:
the hopper is being built in Brownsville area at the old Texas launch site for F9 and FH that never got built
they're building some sort of launch infrastructure at that launch site
the environmental report won't cover full scale launches of Starship Super Heavy but the activity seems to indicate that SpaceX believes it will cover the three raptor hop tests
they want to build Starship and Super Heavy somewhere in the Brownsville area

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48176
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81677
  • Likes Given: 36941
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #867 on: 02/26/2019 12:22 am »
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1100209937412771840

Quote
10-25-19
#SpaceX update
the appearance of a cement base, on what was 3 holes in the ground 2 weeks prior. additional piping has been adding around the pad and leading into the cement base.
#rgv #bocachicatexas
« Last Edit: 02/26/2019 12:50 am by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline SPITexas

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 436
  • Liked: 191
  • Likes Given: 8
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #868 on: 02/26/2019 02:04 am »
https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4218748002?gh_jid=4218748002

New position for orbital Starship. Build engineer (STARSHIP)

Offline Dave G

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3231
  • Liked: 2127
  • Likes Given: 2021
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #869 on: 02/26/2019 03:14 am »
https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4218748002?gh_jid=4218748002

New position for orbital Starship. Build engineer (STARSHIP)

Good catch!

This new position was just posted on the SpaceX website within the last 12 hours.

SpaceX now has 6 open positions in the Brownsville area.

The new position reads:

Quote
BUILD ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Build Engineer role is responsible for design for manufacturability concepts through integration and testing of the full vehicle, and everything in between. Build Engineers will be highly engaged on the primary and secondary structures of the vehicle, including designing tooling (assembly aide, welding, part fixturing, etc.) and processes (welding, large part movement, large structure integration) to rapidly build early versions of the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. Further along in the build, this role will be responsible for items such as integration operations sequencing, and working with technicians on installing flight-critical hardware on the vehicle. Throughout the build, engineers will be responsible for documenting processes, and driving continual improvement to them for future builds. Furthermore, Build Engineers will be expected to sometimes act as de-facto supervisors and advisors to production technicians, welders, and other skilled labor partners. Build Engineers will spend time both in the office and on-site (local production floor and remote build sites) to execute on the mission to build an orbital-capable Starship and Super Heavy faster than anyone though possible.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work closely with vehicle analysts and design team to ensure solutions meet the requirements for vehicle design as well as the manufacturing processes
- Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high rate production
- Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
- Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
- Create original CAD models and prints for flight and/or tooling components
- Lead the on-site design engineering contact for the efficient build of parts and assemblies
- Create and maintain build schedules
- Resolve and analyze manufacturing discrepancies, while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication and assembly)
- Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
- Partner with engineering & production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
- Source, retain and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering or engineering physics
- Hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team or sub-team lead
- 2+ years of manufacturing design experience (student project team and internship experience counts)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 2+ years of professional experience in the field of aerospace/mechanical engineering
- 2+ years of experience with GD&T concepts
- Previous experience working on SpaceX vehicles or builds
- Experience with fluid dynamics, finite element, or related computer-based modeling
- Experience with large steel structure construction (civil, naval, or mechanical)
- Experience leading operation-critical part mechanical design, including basic structures calculations and design considerations
- Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) software packages
- Process development, facility and line layouts, error-proofing
- Experience with Unigraphics NX and Teamcenter CAD and PLM systems
- Detailed knowledge of Siemens NC or similar CAD and PLM packages
- Prior experience with developing, maintaining and improving welding processes
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
- Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
- Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
- Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
- Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
- Flexibility to travel to remote build sites

Offline Dave G

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3231
  • Liked: 2127
  • Likes Given: 2021
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #870 on: 02/26/2019 03:58 am »
By the way, it's worth mentioning again that Brownsville is a fairly large city, with a population similar to Huntsville AL or Fort Lauderdale FL.  Brownsville has it's own international airport, a world class seaport, a state university with a budding aerospace department, and even a zoo for the kids.  For single people, nearby South Padre Island is a major tourist resort, with all the nightlife you can handle.

Also, the cost of living in Brownsville is very low. For example, as Nomadd mentioned before, the first picture below is what you can buy in Brownsville for $230K. The second picture is what you can buy in Hawthorne for $700K.

Yes, Boca Chica is a very remote location, but it's only 14 miles East of Brownsville, which seems like an easy commute.

Online Alvian@IDN

By the way, it's worth mentioning again that Brownsville is a fairly large city, with a population similar to Huntsville AL or Fort Lauderdale FL.  Brownsville has it's own international airport, a world class seaport, a state university with a budding aerospace department, and even a zoo for the kids.  For single people, nearby South Padre Island is a major tourist resort, with all the nightlife you can handle.

Also, the cost of living in Brownsville is very low. For example, as Nomadd mentioned before, the first picture below is what you can buy in Brownsville for $230K. The second picture is what you can buy in Hawthorne for $700K.

Yes, Boca Chica is a very remote location, but it's only 14 miles East of Brownsville, which seems like an easy commute.
And the gap between these two prices could be saved for your SpaceX's round-trip Mars ticket ;D
« Last Edit: 02/26/2019 11:49 am by Alvian@IDN »
My parents was just being born when the Apollo program is over. Why we are still stuck in this stagnation, let's go forward again

Offline Dave G

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3231
  • Liked: 2127
  • Likes Given: 2021
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #872 on: 02/26/2019 01:19 pm »
I'm confused. I try to keep up but things are changing rapidly.
Right. Over the past several years, we've heard a lot of stuff about Boca Chica that never came to fruition. For example, a couple of years ago, many folks on this thread still thought we'd see F9 launch from BC, even though SpaceX already had 3 other pads for F9. Until Elon said directly that F9 and FH won't launch from South Texas, there was much confusion surrounding this issue.  Similarly, today, there are some people who assume we'll see orbital BFR launches from Boca Chica, even though Elon said there was no firm decision on that, and we haven't seen any indication of SpaceX asking the FAA to allow that.


My understanding is Heavy and Starship will be built somewhere in or near Brownsville.
Yes, we now have some SpaceX job posting that indicate they intend to build the real orbital BFR version in South Texas. We also have some info suggesting that SpaceX will not build BFR on the L.A. seaport, which Gwynne had announced previously.


Hopper and Starship Prototype will test at the BC launch site.
When Elon says "Starship Prototype", I assume he's talking about the Hopper ship we see being built in Boca Chica.  In other words, "Hopper" and "Starship Prototype" are 2 different names for the same thing. For the first orbital version of Starship, the SpaceX job posting leaves off the word "Protoype" and mentions Starship and Super Heavy together.


At this time since things change rapidly.

So Hopper and Starship but no Heavy launching from BC?
To be clear, we don't yet know where the first orbital version of Starship and/or Super Heavy will launch from. The direct quote from Elon is:
Quote from: Elon Musk
As for the first orbital flights, we have not made a firm decision on that, and it may actually be that we launch from a floating platform. That's possible.

Offline HeartofGold2030

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • England
  • Liked: 243
  • Likes Given: 2
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #873 on: 02/26/2019 01:36 pm »
I'm pretty sure the Hopper and Starship Prototype are two different things. The Hopper is the crude prototype that's currently being built and is only designed for hops up to 5km; while the Starship Prototype will be the first flight-model Starship designed to test key functions such as the transpiration heatshield and control surfaces, it will likely do this through a number of suborbital hops.

Offline Johnnyhinbos

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3863
  • Boston, MA
  • Liked: 8095
  • Likes Given: 943
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #874 on: 02/26/2019 01:38 pm »
I'm confused. I try to keep up but things are changing rapidly.
Right. Over the past several years, we've heard a lot of stuff about Boca Chica that never came to fruition. For example, a couple of years ago, many folks on this thread still thought we'd see F9 launch from BC, even though SpaceX already had 3 other pads for F9. Until Elon said directly that F9 and FH won't launch from South Texas, there was much confusion surrounding this issue.  Similarly, today, there are some people who assume we'll see orbital BFR launches from Boca Chica, even though Elon said there was no firm decision on that, and we haven't seen any indication of SpaceX asking the FAA to allow that.


My understanding is Heavy and Starship will be built somewhere in or near Brownsville.
Yes, we now have some SpaceX job posting that indicate they intend to build the real orbital BFR version in South Texas. We also have some info suggesting that SpaceX will not build BFR on the L.A. seaport, which Gwynne had announced previously.


Hopper and Starship Prototype will test at the BC launch site.
When Elon says "Starship Prototype", I assume he's talking about the Hopper ship we see being built in Boca Chica.  In other words, "Hopper" and "Starship Prototype" are 2 different names for the same thing. For the first orbital version of Starship, the SpaceX job posting leaves off the word "Protoype" and mentions Starship and Super Heavy together.


At this time since things change rapidly.

So Hopper and Starship but no Heavy launching from BC?
To be clear, we don't yet know where the first orbital version of Starship and/or Super Heavy will launch from. The direct quote from Elon is:
Quote from: Elon Musk
As for the first orbital flights, we have not made a firm decision on that, and it may actually be that we launch from a floating platform. That's possible.
Small point of clarity to Kansan52's post.

When referring to "Heavy" are you referring to Falcon Heavy? If so, then "Heavy" is still being manufactured in Hawthorn. If you mean the BFR booster, please be sure to use "Super Heavy" to avoid confusion. With regards to Super Heavy construction then look to DaveG's answer.

(And it's my personal belief that the Super Heavy and Starship construction facility will ultimately be located at the Port of Brownsville for all the reasons I've mentioned in an earlier post.)
John Hanzl. Author, action / adventure www.johnhanzl.com

Offline Wargrim

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 525
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Liked: 1029
  • Likes Given: 552
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #875 on: 02/26/2019 02:15 pm »
What i find noteworthy is that all the job descriptions that mention Starship + Super Heavy prototypes or early versions keep talking about having to work exposed to the elements.

Imagine how ridiculously impressive it will/would look if a Super Heavy prototype was growing out there for everybody to see in the same manner as Starhopper.

Given how fast the new sturdy nosecone segments are being welded with that tank welding machine, the framing of a super heavy prototype could grow ridiculously fast indeed.
« Last Edit: 02/26/2019 02:16 pm by Wargrim »

Offline Kansan52

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1488
  • Hutchinson, KS
  • Liked: 570
  • Likes Given: 539
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #876 on: 02/26/2019 02:50 pm »
Thanks for the answers!

Exciting times.

And yes, mean Super Heavy. Keeping the terms straight is part of my confusion.

Standing by!!

Offline su27k

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6414
  • Liked: 9100
  • Likes Given: 885
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #877 on: 02/26/2019 04:34 pm »
https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4218748002?gh_jid=4218748002

New position for orbital Starship. Build engineer (STARSHIP)

Interesting thing in this new position: It refers to multiple build sites, i.e. "Flexibility to travel to remote build sites", sites, plural. I wonder what is this about, right now there's only one build site, where could they open more sites?
« Last Edit: 02/26/2019 04:37 pm by su27k »

Offline philw1776

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1836
  • Seacoast NH
  • Liked: 1842
  • Likes Given: 983
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #878 on: 02/26/2019 05:15 pm »
https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4218748002?gh_jid=4218748002

New position for orbital Starship. Build engineer (STARSHIP)

Interesting thing in this new position: It refers to multiple build sites, i.e. "Flexibility to travel to remote build sites", sites, plural. I wonder what is this about, right now there's only one build site, where could they open more sites?

New Guy signs up for the job.  Next thing he knows, he's assigned to the remote Mars Base build site.

Offline dnavas

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 396
  • San Jose
  • Liked: 284
  • Likes Given: 1312
Re: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 9
« Reply #879 on: 02/26/2019 05:35 pm »
Interesting thing in this new position: It refers to multiple build sites, i.e. "Flexibility to travel to remote build sites", sites, plural. I wonder what is this about, right now there's only one build site, where could they open more sites?

I'm with Johnnyhinbos -- Port of Brownsville, possibly McGregor as well, though that's not really a build site.  For at least the mobile launcher.  The thing about building SS/SH in B instead of BC is, what is BC used for post-hopper tests?


Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0