Author Topic: Blue Origin continuing work on New Glenn launch complex, support facilities (Read 135792 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 09/11/2019 06:25 pm »

Look who's been busy!

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/09/blue-origin-work-new-glenn-launch-facilities/

- by Ian Atkinson.

Aerial images of course. Ignore my satellite reference in the tweet.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1171851840339828738

Navier–Stokes · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/11/2019 07:21 pm »

Quote

To the immediate north of LC-36, Blue is building a BE-4 test stand at LC-11. The stand will use the same liquid methane and liquid oxygen (LOX) systems as the launch complex.

Renders released by Blue Origin suggest that the stand will have two bays – meaning they can work on two engines at once.

Note that the latest site plans (see below) no longer include a BE-4 test stand.

Quote from: AnalogMan on 09/07/2019 09:58 pm

Blue Origin have made a few small changes to the LC-36 launch site layout since the earlier plans posted above. On Friday new plans were submitted to St Johns River Water Management District.

Link: https://permitting.sjrwmd.com/epermitting/jsp/Search.do?theAction=searchDetail&permitNumber=159009

Single sheet drawings for the overall site plan dated 24 Jan 2019 (earlier submission) and 23 Jul 2019 (current application) are attached. These are vector graphics so you can zoom-in to your heart's content!

For fun I produced an animated GIF comparing the two (click to animate). Keys to the numbered items are in the pdfs.

Zond · « **Reply #2 on:** 09/13/2019 05:59 pm »

Blue has also started construction on their south campus:
https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/dorian/index.html#18/28.50415/-80.67703

theinternetftw · « **Reply #3 on:** 09/13/2019 09:12 pm »

Quote from: Zond on 09/13/2019 05:59 pm

Blue has also started construction on their south campus:
https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/dorian/index.html#18/28.50415/-80.67703

The full complex. Imagery taken September 5th.

w9gb · « **Reply #4 on:** 09/17/2019 02:32 am »

I reviewed the LC-36 satellite photo, latest Blue drawing,
and St Johns River Water Management District document.
—
1.) Since Blue is concurrently building the BE-4 engine production facility in Alabama, the immediate requirement for an operational engine stand may not exist. ULA Vulcan not reusable.
The LC-11 area is still being graded and ducts/conduits being laid for future usage.
* See #3 ... This area could be used for Emergency Egress System (like LC-41 design).

2.) The Launch Tower is taller in height, wider at its base, and shows a large elevator.
* Suggests LC-36 is designed for taller launch vehicle, late cargo loading, and manned capsule.
This hints that LC-36 could support a New Glenn “Block 2” (enhanced cis-lunar capabilities).
NASA should be receptive for an alternative to Falcon Heavy for cis-lunar cargo/supply delivery.

3.) Not Seen in Latest Rendition: Crew Access Arm, Emergency Egress System, or Crane.
* Those may be added for a “Block 2” Variant (better cis-lunar capabilities). Instead of the third stage option, a lengthened Second Stage. ULA Vulcan is taking this same approach for its Super Heavy variant.
Would Blue would “help” ULA in funding ACES development, so ACES could appear on New Glenn?
I think Tory Bruno would be receptive ... in order to advance ACES for mid to late-2020s.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #5 on:** 09/21/2019 11:09 pm »

https://twitter.com/baserunner0723/status/1175531733044932615

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Blue Origin's new orbital launch site was imaged during NOAA's post-Dorian survey. I took a screenshot of that and overlayed the plans for the site on it. @NASASpaceflight @ChrisG_NSF @EmreKelly

https://twitter.com/baserunner0723/status/1175532386160979969

Quote

Upped the resolution of the annotated image

Llian Rhydderch · « **Reply #6 on:** 09/24/2019 12:10 am »

Jared-Base has tweeted out an updated composite map photo.

Has the recent NOAA camera shots following Hurricane Dorian overlayed with the newer site plans (dated July 2019).

https://twitter.com/baserunner0723/status/1176284741731045376

His former photo used the site plan overlay from Jan 2019, per his twitter account.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/08/2019 02:19 am »

Woooow:

https://twitter.com/therealjonvh/status/1181368865529454593

jebbo · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/08/2019 12:55 pm »

I'd guess that's the Integration Facility at the left, though I think there's a few more uprights to go in ...

--- Tony

edkyle99 · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/08/2019 02:30 pm »

A water tower on the right? A real water tower, I mean...

- Ed Kyle

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/10/2019 05:48 am »

https://twitter.com/cirotweeter/status/1182102968339959809

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Lots of progress on #BlueOrigin's Launch Complex 36, right next to the Lighthouse on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. So many large cranes! #KennedySpaceCenter @NASAKennedy

HeartofGold2030 · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/12/2019 06:06 pm »

Blue might not be cornering the orbital launch market yet, but their definitely becoming the industry leader in heavy infrastructure development:

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1183051529403674625

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/22/2019 04:55 pm »

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1186657406488580097

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Blue Origin Launch Complex 36 has cornered the market on cranes. Work on the New Glenn facility is progressing on the integration building and water tower. The Space Coast skyline is always changing. #BlueOrigin

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/28/2019 08:22 pm »

Some progress visible since last week:

https://twitter.com/nexthorizons_/status/1188927736980611079

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Time lapse of ongoing construction of the water tower and integration facility at #BlueOrigin's New Glenn launch pad, LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Taken from the Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral, this video covers about 1.5 hours from 1:30-3:00pm.

harrystranger · « **Reply #14 on:** 11/02/2019 01:13 pm »

Progress on LC-36 roughly every three months since the beginning of 2017

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #15 on:** 11/11/2019 06:56 am »

https://twitter.com/cirotweeter/status/1193704630510915585

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Much progress on Blue Origin's Launch Complex 36 at Cape #blueorigin #KennedySpaceCenter

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #16 on:** 11/12/2019 05:41 am »

https://twitter.com/cirotweeter/status/1194070480304652289

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Couple of more

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #17 on:** 11/12/2019 04:25 pm »

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1194298118621270018

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Launch Complex 36 is moving along. I can't wait to see @blueorigin New Glenn launch from the tip of Cape Canaveral. The watertower makes the lighthouse look tiny in comparison.

su27k · « **Reply #18 on:** 11/13/2019 03:40 am »

It's interesting that Blue chose to build a big watertower at LC-36, while SpaceX is using ground level water tank + pumps(?) for their new Starship pads. I wonder what is the pros and cons of each approach, from a purely technical point of view?

HeartofGold2030 · « **Reply #19 on:** 11/19/2019 11:01 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1196935905220714496

Looks like segments of the water tank are being attached to the tower.