SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 5

[Oersted]

Your formulas are typical landlubber stuff which doesn't take the very real effect of refraction into consideration. You need to add on average 7% to the distance you can see due to the bending of the lightwaves as they travel through the (varying densities) of atmospheric air.

Greets, Oersted (former Danish Navy guy)

[Dave G]

The launch pad will probably be a little higher than the dunes, at least 12 feet to keep out of hurricane surge. So you'd probably have a good shot at 20 feet high from there. Look toward the village and see how good a view you have of the big STARGATE building.

Good point.  If you can see most of the STARGATE building, you should be able to see the pad.  A simple eyeball test is best.

As for all the formulas on earth curvature, note that obstructions will have a much bigger effect.  There's sand dunes, tall grass, and 7 buildings off the North end of Boca Chica beach (see picture below).

[Arb]

The tall building that you circled is actually the Sapphire.  The Pearl is located northeast of the Sapphire...

http://www.sapphiresouthpadre.com/
http://www.pearlsouthpadre.com/

[Comga]

Your formulas are typical landlubber stuff which doesn't take the very real effect of refraction into consideration. You need to add on average 7% to the distance you can see due to the bending of the lightwaves as they travel through the (varying densities) of atmospheric air.

Greets, Oersted (former Danish Navy guy)

Oersted knows that when you get down to the level of atmospheric refraction there are many other effects, like dust, haze, and humidity. 

Dave G is also right that an "eyeball test" is best.
Look for the mound where the HIF will be built.
Maybe soon there will be a crane to target.

[intrepidpursuit]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum. I joined because I have a summer home in port Isabel and just got clued into the SpaceX launch pad going into Boca Chica.

I'm a long time believer in Musk...tesla driver since early 2014 and solar city customer as of 2014.

Where is the best place to immerse myself in local info on the Boca Chica pad?  Down here for another week before we head home to get my kids back in school in Dallas and would love to explore a bit.

Thanks for your input.

For context, the most common place to watch the launches at Kennedy is 13 miles from the 39A pad with no elevation and with trees in the way. The closest place that is open to the public is about 5.5 miles away with no elevation and trees in the way. So 40ft up and 9 miles is a view you have to pay for in Florida.

[JChildress]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum. I joined because I have a summer home in port Isabel and just got clued into the SpaceX launch pad going into Boca Chica.

I'm a long time believer in Musk...tesla driver since early 2014 and solar city customer as of 2014.

Where is the best place to immerse myself in local info on the Boca Chica pad?  Down here for another week before we head home to get my kids back in school in Dallas and would love to explore a bit.

Thanks for your input.

For context, the most common place to watch the launches at Kennedy is 13 miles from the 39A pad with no elevation and with trees in the way. The closest place that is open to the public is about 5.5 miles away with no elevation and trees in the way. So 40ft up and 9 miles is a view you have to pay for in Florida.

We drove over the other day to check it out. Not much going on but I took these pics

[SPITexas]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum. I joined because I have a summer home in port Isabel and just got clued into the SpaceX launch pad going into Boca Chica.

I'm a long time believer in Musk...tesla driver since early 2014 and solar city customer as of 2014.

Where is the best place to immerse myself in local info on the Boca Chica pad?  Down here for another week before we head home to get my kids back in school in Dallas and would love to explore a bit.

Thanks for your input.

For context, the most common place to watch the launches at Kennedy is 13 miles from the 39A pad with no elevation and with trees in the way. The closest place that is open to the public is about 5.5 miles away with no elevation and trees in the way. So 40ft up and 9 miles is a view you have to pay for in Florida.

We drove over the other day to check it out. Not much going on but I took these pics

I can tell you when You can probably  see activity pick up, the tracking dish in your pic there's another one coming late this year. 2 of 2 tracking dish to be installed completely by SpaceX, at the site in 2016–2017. They will be used as additional tracking resources for human-carrying Dragon missions. and if you don't know there's some obstacles that  SpaceX has to do first before going to Boca Chica. they also got to repair and activate LC-40 which will be ready in October and modify LC-39A  for a monster rocket falcon heavy that will launch in November.  After all of that is done what now? Well the SpaceX team will come over here to Boca Chica.

[Mike_1179]

Looking like the remnants of tropical depression Harvey are set to dump a lot of rain on the Texas coast. While not a high wind event, could be a the type of storm that drops a lot of rain like TS Allison back in 2001. So my question is, what happens to things like the soil surcharge if there is really significant rain events? Do you have to replace the washed-out material and wait for the wicks to drain out more water before construction can start?

[Kansan52]

My guess is no. Earlier posts have said that the 'mound' will be reduced after settling. Some extra dirt was deposited to speed settling and it will need to be removed when construction begins.

[SPITexas]

Looking like the remnants of tropical depression Harvey are set to dump a lot of rain on the Texas coast. While not a high wind event, could be a the type of storm that drops a lot of rain like TS Allison back in 2001. So my question is, what happens to things like the soil surcharge if there is really significant rain events? Do you have to replace the washed-out material and wait for the wicks to drain out more water before construction can start?

Think the rain is helping it settled fast
It may very well be settled

[Dave G]

So my question is, what happens to things like the soil surcharge if there is really significant rain events? Do you have to replace the washed-out material and wait for the wicks to drain out more water before construction can start?

I don't have the link handy, but in a previous post on Thread 3 or 4 someone said that any moisture absorbed by the surcharge soil layer tends to evaporate very quickly.  They said the type of soil used for the surcharge is chosen specifically for this characteristic.

Earlier posts have said that the 'mound' will be reduced after settling. Some extra dirt was deposited to speed settling and it will need to be removed when construction begins.

Yes, the mound is supposed to settle somewhat, but it will still be a sizable.

My guess is they spread it around somewhat to help level the site.

[Nomadd]

So my question is, what happens to things like the soil surcharge if there is really significant rain events? Do you have to replace the washed-out material and wait for the wicks to drain out more water before construction can start?

I don't have the link handy, but in a previous post on Thread 3 or 4 someone said that any moisture absorbed by the surcharge soil layer tends to evaporate very quickly.  They said the type of soil used for the surcharge is chosen specifically for this characteristic.

Earlier posts have said that the 'mound' will be reduced after settling. Some extra dirt was deposited to speed settling and it will need to be removed when construction begins.

Yes, the mound is supposed to settle somewhat, but it will still be a sizable.

My guess is they spread it around somewhat to help level the site.

Runoff and evaporation seems to be the fate of rainfall around here. I've dug holes after two inches of rain and found only the first 12 inches or so wet. It's only spots that sit in standing water for long periods, like the mound site, that are soggy beneath.
 Causeways and the control center should be way more than enough to use any extra mound dirt if it's the right type. I'd expect at least a 3 or 4 foot base for the control center buildings given historic flood levels.

[Lar]

How much, if anything, did they raise the Stargate building? It's farther inland I think but...

[The_Ronin]

We need an eclipse & launch party on 4/8/24 at Nomadd's place, right?

[neoforce]

We need an eclipse & launch party on 4/8/24 at Nomadd's place, right?

Except he isn't in the path of totality. 😢

[Nomadd]

How much, if anything, did they raise the Stargate building? It's farther inland I think but...

It's about 4 feet above ground level at the rear end near the water, and about 2 feet high near the road.
 Just memory. I'm still slowly working my way back from Casper, testing steakhouses and Irish pubs till the 29th.

[Nomadd]

 4 foot surge coming with my doorstep at 5 feet. My first beachfront property. Probably should have put the shutters up.
 All that gear near the mound might be underwater tomorrow. The crane should escape flooding.

[Lar]

Thanks for the Stargate info and pic, Nomadd. I hope your testing is successful.  And that the NSF clubhouse (hehe, remember the start of your adventure) weathers things OK.

Harvey will be an interesting test for the location, it is the most serious storm to come anywhere near since SpaceX started working seriously, I think, but it's not a Cat 4 or anything so it's going to allow them to get in and observe faster than if it was really strong, I expect... They may want to revise some plans if not everything comes out ok.

[Nomadd]

 The highway will be underwater for stretches. Anybody who wants to try and have a look after the storm will probably run into some serious mud, so the Miata might not be the best choice.

[StuffOfInterest]

The five day tracking map is ugly!  Looks like the storm is going to come on shore and just sit there for a couple of days.

https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2017/hurricane-harvey?map=5day&MR=1

Edit: Updated map