fuel is cheap.and the scales just got tipped $15K towards fly-back, which they already wanted to do anyway (speed, less exposure to salt water, weather damage, etc).
Quote from: starsilk on 06/21/2016 09:50 pmfuel is cheap.and the scales just got tipped $15K towards fly-back, which they already wanted to do anyway (speed, less exposure to salt water, weather damage, etc).As the latest landing attempt indicated, they're a long ways from fly-back right now.
Quote from: CameronD on 06/21/2016 11:52 pmQuote from: starsilk on 06/21/2016 09:50 pmfuel is cheap.and the scales just got tipped $15K towards fly-back, which they already wanted to do anyway (speed, less exposure to salt water, weather damage, etc).As the latest landing attempt indicated, they're a long ways from fly-back right now.RTLS or self-ferrying from the barge back to the launch site?
I don't think so, they are very close if they have enough fuel.How much fuel falcon 9 need to return safely to landing side?
Especially if one of the stated reasons is that the port feels they need to heighten security while a Falcon stage is in port.
Quote from: the_other_Doug on 06/21/2016 05:54 pmEspecially if one of the stated reasons is that the port feels they need to heighten security while a Falcon stage is in port.That's actually a valid reason to charge more, unlike mentioning weight, which came across as deeply bogus.
Quote from: gadgetmind on 06/22/2016 09:12 amQuote from: the_other_Doug on 06/21/2016 05:54 pmEspecially if one of the stated reasons is that the port feels they need to heighten security while a Falcon stage is in port.That's actually a valid reason to charge more, unlike mentioning weight, which came across as deeply bogus.Yes, and I get the impression that the arrival of an ASDS might take a disproportionate amount of attention from pilots and harbour masters. There are several vessels involved, and several large vehicles on the land side of things. They need to negotiate a fair return for the port authority.Gearing the charges to the weight of the stage seems really lame.
Quote from: Brovane on 06/21/2016 11:40 amYou assume the fee the port wants to charge isn't reasonable.I see you ignored part where rate is 17 times of rate of other cargo.
You assume the fee the port wants to charge isn't reasonable.
Quote from: Mader Levap on 06/21/2016 04:11 pmQuote from: Brovane on 06/21/2016 11:40 amYou assume the fee the port wants to charge isn't reasonable.I see you ignored part where rate is 17 times of rate of other cargo.I don't think it fair to compare the unloading of a cargo ship, which enters, unloads, and departs, with the SpaceX operation. SpaceX has the landing platform and, what, two other ships that are docked in the port when they are not out at sea. There's is a long-term presence. They have had to deal with leaking kerosene and other stuff, deploying booms, etc. How much did the port charge NASA for the SRB recovery ships? - Ed Kyle
I agree... A cargo ship comes in, ties the dock up for a day and unloads 100 of the 25t containers? Each of those getting taxed adds up fast. SpaceX comes in and ties up the dock for a day and unloads one 35t hazardous stage with a giant crane.
Quote from: LastStarFighter on 06/22/2016 05:24 pmI agree... A cargo ship comes in, ties the dock up for a day and unloads 100 of the 25t containers? Each of those getting taxed adds up fast. SpaceX comes in and ties up the dock for a day and unloads one 35t hazardous stage with a giant crane. The docks is tied up for weeks between launches. The only time it is not at the dock is for the few days each launch retrieving a booster. And what is tied up is one barge, one tug and 2 support boats.
The docks is tied up for weeks between launches. The only time it is not at the dock is for the few days each launch retrieving a booster. And what is tied up is one barge, one tug and 2 support boats.
Still, if it is because of the dock area used, shouldn't Spacex be charged a parking fee regardless of the number of boosters recovered? What type of operation require a charge per booster? So far I have security, which spacex already is billed for. What else?