Quote from: envy887 on 10/03/2017 02:56 pmThe BFS as shown has a wingspan of about 13.5 meters, compared to the Shuttle at 23.8 meters.Yes, but the shuttle itself was crazy difficult to move. They had to cut down trees and do a lot of other radical things to make it possible, as shown in the video screen-shot below. I seriously doubt there would be public support for SpaceX to do this on an ongoing basis.There's a big difference between possible and practical.The shuttle external tank move was less radical, so some have proposed this as a precedent for moving BFR/BFS, but BFR and BFS are both significantly larger than the shuttle external tank.
The BFS as shown has a wingspan of about 13.5 meters, compared to the Shuttle at 23.8 meters.
... is it possible that where they constructed the 12m test tank be the same place for building BFR/BFS tankage?
Watching this video, it seems they built the 12m test tank right next to a sea port. Anyone know where?
Exactly!folks need to remember that a key SpaceX culture is co-location of R&D with manufacturing. As someone who ran R&D and put products into manufacturing I have experienced the benefits of co-location and the inefficiencies and developer disconnect with remote manufacturing.. Co-location offers efficient, quick problem resolution, and design in level appreciation of mfg issues by otherwise potentially ivory towerish new product developers.
I don't see CA developers moving to Boca or Michoud, no matter how much less expensive the Real Estate.
I do remain open to the possibility of SpaceX leasing expensive harbor proximate facilities within easy commute distance of present Hawthorne facilities...
Shuttle External Tank and BFR/BFS shown approximately to scale below.
By the way, to transport the shuttle itself, they also had to cut down some trees to make room for the shuttle's wings. The delta wings on BFS may have the same issue.And again, they had to close streets in L.A. for 18 hours to transport the shuttle external tank.
It will be built in Hawthorne then transported through the tunnel system he is creating with the Boring Company. I was there last week and the boring machine was nowhere to be seen. It hand been sitting in the parking lot and now it has gone underground.
Quote from: Dave G on 10/03/2017 12:53 pmShuttle External Tank and BFR/BFS shown approximately to scale below.That's not the BRF/ITS that SpaceX is building first. They are building the 9m diameter version (~30ft).QuoteBy the way, to transport the shuttle itself, they also had to cut down some trees to make room for the shuttle's wings. The delta wings on BFS may have the same issue.And again, they had to close streets in L.A. for 18 hours to transport the shuttle external tank.Not every street, and not every street on the route at the same time. Plus they were going through an area of L.A. that is more urban - there are more large streets on the route to SpaceX.I don't think it will be a big issue, and apparently neither does Elon Musk.
Given that Elon said that tooling has already been ordered, this assumes that manufacturing space has been already been allocated/planned for. Since the majority of the BFR/BFS structure is carbon fibre which I assume the ordered tooling is for, is it possible that where they constructed the 12m test tank be the same place for building BFR/BFS tankage?
Quote from: Dave G on 10/03/2017 12:53 pmShuttle External Tank and BFR/BFS shown approximately to scale below.That's not the BRF/ITS that SpaceX is building first. They are building the 9m diameter version (~30ft).
I don't think it will be a big issue, and apparently neither does Elon Musk.
Might they just budget $x millions to buy up problem properties along the route? They throw away $5 million fairings; That kind of money would buy a lot of real estate. Fairings are a necessary expense, but so is getting the rocket to the launch pad.
Quote from: Coastal Ron on 10/03/2017 06:13 pmThat's not the BRF/ITS that SpaceX is building first. They are building the 9m diameter version (~30ft).That's the 9m BFR / BFS version, taken from Musk's latest presentation on September 29, 2017. Look at the dimensions on the picture. These were all taken from the latest presentation.
That's not the BRF/ITS that SpaceX is building first. They are building the 9m diameter version (~30ft).
Musk is on record saying BFR will be built at the launch site.
Of course, he could have changed his mind since then, or he may have a phased approach, hence all the speculation on this thread.
Quote from: Dave G on 10/03/2017 04:45 pmWatching this video, it seems they built the 12m test tank right next to a sea port. Anyone know where?The 12 meter tank was contracted to Janicki Industries in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. They're a composites layup specialist. SpaceX will have a learning curve building these tanks in-house.
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