THAT has to fit into Vandy's HIF, which I believe is quite a bit shorter
The pad is certainly being prepared for Falcon Heavy debut, but we're (I'm) seeing inconsistencies that may indicate the facility is being readied for more than that. (To be honest, I'm looking for any shred of evidence that forward looking plans are in place for BFR at 39A and am asking for help examining several of the new/changed features from Vandenberg which was the original pad developed for Falcon Heavy's debut.)
The question remains.Why build an oversized building (height and 3x 90 ton cranes) as they apparently are?The size of the BFR has varied all over the map... and the big-box HIF is the question. If BFR is sized so that it can launch from 39A, then having its HIF on the causeway makes sense. If simultaneous F9/FH/BFR ops are envisioned, another small pad/HIF will be built for F9/FH to relieve overcrowding IMO.I agree that SpaceX has only 'planned for the present' as a quotable member insists, but Ithink they're doing the opposite here.
Quote from: AncientU on 05/01/2015 04:35 pmThe pad is certainly being prepared for Falcon Heavy debut, but we're (I'm) seeing inconsistencies that may indicate the facility is being readied for more than that. (To be honest, I'm looking for any shred of evidence that forward looking plans are in place for BFR at 39A and am asking for help examining several of the new/changed features from Vandenberg which was the original pad developed for Falcon Heavy's debut.)No, you are NOT. You just decided on a spur of the moment that "hey a BFR might fit", and ran with it. You are jumping to conclusions without fully understanding how an FH is integrated with the TEL in the HIF. Look at the picture below. See how much space is taken up by just a F9 on a TEL? The 39A HIF is not that much larger (if any) than the VAFB HIF.
[...]Note: The bridge crane in your image is rated for 30 tons... and it will handle the FH. Just sayin'...
Quote from: AncientU on 05/01/2015 07:54 pm[...]Note: The bridge crane in your image is rated for 30 tons... and it will handle the FH. Just sayin'...Remember that there is one light and one heavy end on these rockets, especially on a fully assembled FH...(Removed an erroneous edit...)
Quote from: eriblo on 05/01/2015 09:42 pmQuote from: AncientU on 05/01/2015 07:54 pm[...]Note: The bridge crane in your image is rated for 30 tons... and it will handle the FH. Just sayin'...Remember that there is one light and one heavy end on these rockets, especially on a fully assembled FH...(Removed an erroneous edit...)Yes, approximately the same weight ratio on each (F9/FH)-- in fact, similar on another rocket which I won't mention. 30 and 60 ton cranes in Vandy HIF to lift that load. 50/90 (possibly x 3) at 39A. Of course, the East Coast heavies might be heavier than West Coast.Edit: Added parenthetical for clarity.
Could take two to lift maximum payloads.
Quote from: AncientU on 05/02/2015 10:30 am Could take two to lift maximum payloads.It takes to rotate from vertical to horizontal.
They don't use a dedicated break-over jig?
And assuming that it does need to be kept horizontal, how much flat pavement is there outside of the HIF before the leading end of the TEL starts up the ramp?
I've seen this asked before, but missed the answer. While traveling up the ramp to the pad, is there need for the TEL to keep the stack horizontal?
They will all be mated before the lift onto the TEL. The cores won't be individually lifted onto the TEL.
I imagine the slope is as gentle as its architects could manage.