A relevant question - why did SpaceX need to buy this instead of using what they had done for transporting used stages the last few times? Is it just cheaper than renting the service of a rigger?
It isn't just the last few times after landing. It is every time a first stage leaves Building AO to go to the hangar.
'I Said, I've Got A Big Stick.' 'Sorry?' 'It's called, I Said, I've Got A Big Stick. You have to say it quietly. When you write it, it's in small type. An OU [Offensive Unit], as you might imagine'. 'Oh, right.' 'Probably my favourite. I think that's just the best.'
Quote from: Jim on 08/05/2016 03:25 pmIt isn't just the last few times after landing. It is every time a first stage leaves Building AO to go to the hangar. Wasn't aware they were using Building AO for stage storage / processing. So the comments (years ago) about the stages being too long for Building AO weren't accurate? http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30385.msg1026216#msg1026216Or is only used for temporary storage, processing is done elsewhere.
....There is one very important thing that all those suggesting the retriever could easily replace the cranes missed : The polygon of support of two cranes working together is huge, and the stage is located right in the middle. To make it possible for the retriever to replace them, you'd need one hell of a counterweight or a hold-down as there certainly is for the erector.
Good point. I'd actually thought of outrigger arms like Jim mentions above. I imagined the retriever looking something like this:
Quote from: Alastor on 08/05/2016 02:14 pm....There is one very important thing that all those suggesting the retriever could easily replace the cranes missed : The polygon of support of two cranes working together is huge, and the stage is located right in the middle. To make it possible for the retriever to replace them, you'd need one hell of a counterweight or a hold-down as there certainly is for the erector.Good point. I'd actually thought of outrigger arms like Jim mentions above. I imagined the retriever looking something like this:
They may even want to make it so that the servicing of the stage can be done while attached to the truck and just have several retrievers at each pad available. That way, they could process several stages at the same time in kind of a chain process, so that instead of having the workers and equipment moving around, they have the stages moving from workshop to workshop (chemicals clearing, legs removal, inspection and telemetry acquisition, cleaning, various refurbishment, repainting, legs attachment, ...).
Quote from: Alastor on 08/05/2016 04:14 pmThey may even want to make it so that the servicing of the stage can be done while attached to the truck and just have several retrievers at each pad available. That way, they could process several stages at the same time in kind of a chain process, so that instead of having the workers and equipment moving around, they have the stages moving from workshop to workshop (chemicals clearing, legs removal, inspection and telemetry acquisition, cleaning, various refurbishment, repainting, legs attachment, ...). No, they still would put them on dollies like these. Retrievers would cost too much
so if they need the stage to move around a lot, or even go vertical, wouldn't it make sense to keep the retriever ?
But if they have let's say a dozen stage in processing at any time in the far future, it may make sense to have a stage moving from building to building rather that require an insanely large building that can handle all stages)
Is the massive white piece part of the auction or was it acquired separately by SpaceX? I am trying to figure out is the 37k$ price includes everything or not.
It's not "I Said, I've Got A Big Stick", it's I Said, I've Got A Big Stick. And I'm not sure we can give it a Culture ship name until they install an autonomous driving system.
p.p.s. This actually made me pull the book off the shelf and look up the quote.Two characters in the book are discussing Culture ship names:Quote 'I Said, I've Got A Big Stick.' 'Sorry?' 'It's called, I Said, I've Got A Big Stick. You have to say it quietly. When you write it, it's in small type. An OU [Offensive Unit], as you might imagine'. 'Oh, right.' 'Probably my favourite. I think that's just the best.'
I guess what they really need at the Cape is a taller building to store and refurbish S1's in...5 rocket lanes wide or so... same as building at 39... just much taller... Tall enough with overhead traveling cranes to clear an S1 stood up vertically plus say 30ft...Lined on both sides with walk thru fixed bases that stages can be stored vertically on securely... Support areas, storage areas, etc behind bases and on the other side of the main walls both sides... Catwalks up top both sides to assist with installing/removing beanie caps as needed... Catwalks on the bases to secure and unsecure stages... elevator at far end to reach top or bottom catwalks...One big end door with two lanes used for road trucks bringing in new or taking away used...Also used to load and unload stages from this new FTS or any variations that follow...An open area to stand up or lay stages down using two of many overhead cranes... Rest is shop area to do refurb and swap out components if needed...I can picture this shot... taken from the far end top catwalk just off the elevator...50 spaces for 50 stages (25 a side) and about 1/2 in use... new, refurbs, and sooty ones...Semi truck backing in a stage from Tx while RTS parked next to it is ready to load a refurb going to 40 for reuse... Several stages laid down on rotary fixtures being worked on in the lower foreground...And in the center bay.. a refurb was just pulled from along the wall and is starting to be turned to lay it down on the FTS...
Quote from: Alastor on 08/05/2016 02:14 pm....There is one very important thing that all those suggesting the retriever could easily replace the cranes missed : The polygon of support of two cranes working together is huge, and the stage is located right in the middle. To make it possible for the retriever to replace them, you'd need one hell of a counterweight or a hold-down as there certainly is for the erector.I don't think they need that much of a counterweight. If they place the pivot point above the last axle, the vehicle has to be able to lift the empty stage (30-40t?) plus its frame (10t?) at a distance of say, 5 m. A 5-ton counterweight at the front of the vehicle (50 m away) is enough to counteract that. And that's ignoring the weight of the vehicle itself (easily 30t), and without jacks supporting the back end, both of which would reduce the amount of counterweight needed.