SpaceX viewed as threat to Alabama jobs

[Mark K]

Hi,
  Here is an interesting article showing how SpaceX is being protrayed in some areas.
Huntsville Local Paper

[woods170]

Hi,
  Here is an interesting article showing how SpaceX is being protrayed in some areas.
Huntsville Local Paper

Yeah well, they should get used it. Capitalism is a bitch. Their loss is someone else's gain. That's how the free market operates. You either respond and adapt or cease to exist.

[Rocket Science]

Why the woe, isn't SpaceX hiring?

[TrevorMonty]

Competition and legalisation has forced ULA to buy a domestic engine, which is going to be built in Huntsville. I think Huntsville  will be better off due to SpaceX.

[punder]

Interesting that the comments (mostly from locals, I assume ) are almost all pro-SpaceX!

[rakaydos]

Interesting that the comments (mostly from locals, I assume ) are almost all pro-SpaceX!

It's the republican pro-buisness mindset. Free market and all that. The ULA "Monopoly" is more evil in their minds than fair competition that ULA is sorely unsuited to. The article also mentions russian rocket motors used by national security launchers, which throws up more red flags for 'muricans.

[Lar]

Interesting that the comments (mostly from locals, I assume ) are almost all pro-SpaceX!

It's the republican pro-buisness mindset. Free market and all that. The ULA "Monopoly" is more evil in their minds than fair competition that ULA is sorely unsuited to. The article also mentions russian rocket motors used by national security launchers, which throws up more red flags for 'muricans.

Not sure what point you're trying to make exactly. Please remember this isn't the space policy section

[rakaydos]

Interesting that the comments (mostly from locals, I assume ) are almost all pro-SpaceX!

It's the republican pro-buisness mindset. Free market and all that. The ULA "Monopoly" is more evil in their minds than fair competition that ULA is sorely unsuited to. The article also mentions russian rocket motors used by national security launchers, which throws up more red flags for 'muricans.

Not sure what point you're trying to make exactly. Please remember this isn't the space policy section

More of a "broken clock twice a day" type point. Alabama residents, despite being harmed by this, support it because it lines up with their political views.

[Kabloona]

And in other news, Blue Origin just announced it will be making its BE-4 engines in Huntsville, Alabama, bringing an estimated 350 jobs to the city.

So, no need to cry for Alabama, especially when they have Senator Shelby looking out for their interests.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/26/15873354/blue-origin-be-4-rocket-engine-huntsville-alabama-nasa

[punder]

Interesting that the comments (mostly from locals, I assume ) are almost all pro-SpaceX!

It's the republican pro-buisness mindset. Free market and all that. The ULA "Monopoly" is more evil in their minds than fair competition that ULA is sorely unsuited to. The article also mentions russian rocket motors used by national security launchers, which throws up more red flags for 'muricans.

Not sure what point you're trying to make exactly. Please remember this isn't the space policy section

More of a "broken clock twice a day" type point. Alabama residents, despite being harmed by this, support it because it lines up with their political views.

(If you read this before it's deleted) Please take it to SpaceNews or NasaWatch, where your presumption will be more well-received.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

And in other news, Blue Origin just announced it will be making its BE-4 engines in Huntsville, Alabama, bringing an estimated 350 jobs to the city.

So, no need to cry for Alabama, especially when they have Senator Shelby looking out for their interests.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/26/15873354/blue-origin-be-4-rocket-engine-huntsville-alabama-nasa

There is only one small caveat and that is that ULA chooses and buys BE-4's. If that happens then the main plant for engine manufacture would be in Alabama. That also begs the question is that is BO contemplating leasing a Huntsville engine test stand to do acceptance testing of engines? If they do then the engines would be built/tested/and assembled onto(Decatur just next door to Huntsville).

[Jim]

That also begs the question is that is BO contemplating leasing a Huntsville engine test stand to do acceptance testing of engines? If they do then the engines would be built/tested/and assembled onto(Decatur just next door to Huntsville).

Their engine test stand is at LC-11 at the Cape.

[envy887]

That also begs the question is that is BO contemplating leasing a Huntsville engine test stand to do acceptance testing of engines? If they do then the engines would be built/tested/and assembled onto(Decatur just next door to Huntsville).

Their engine test stand is at LC-11 at the Cape.

And they are small enough to be easily shipped from Huntsville to the Cape and back to Decatur. SpaceX does the same thing with Merlins, building in Hawthorne, shipping to McGregor for testing, and back to Hawthorne for integration.

Besides, a lot of engines will be headed to Blue's integration facility at the Cape for New Glenn.

[Lar]

Blue could build a test stand in Huntsville too, presumably, cutting shipping. SpaceX couldn't do that in Hawthorne or anywhere near enough to help, I think... might as well ship to McGregor...

[intrepidpursuit]

That also begs the question is that is BO contemplating leasing a Huntsville engine test stand to do acceptance testing of engines? If they do then the engines would be built/tested/and assembled onto(Decatur just next door to Huntsville).

Their engine test stand is at LC-11 at the Cape.

I'd assume the LC-11 test stand is specifically for NG engines. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a separate stand for ULA bound engines. They will likely be a slightly different variant anyway.

[Navier–Stokes]

I'd assume the LC-11 test stand is specifically for NG engines. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a separate stand for ULA bound engines. They will likely be a slightly different variant anyway.

Clay Mowry has stated that ULA's BE-4s will be the same part number as New Glenn's.

Edit: see

[Zed_Noir]

That also begs the question is that is BO contemplating leasing a Huntsville engine test stand to do acceptance testing of engines? If they do then the engines would be built/tested/and assembled onto(Decatur just next door to Huntsville).

Their engine test stand is at LC-11 at the Cape.

What about Blue testing the BE-4 at Stennis? If there is a production line at Alabama.

[bob the martian]

Ah, there it is:

Speculation is that Musk might be willing to launch rockets for a time at "little or no profit" to win business,

Because ULA has to charge so much per launch, it just isn't possible that anyone could be cheaper without cheating. 

To be fair, that's pretty much the only part of the article that's objectionable; otherwise, it's a fairly even-handed statement of reality.  ULA has to do what it can to survive.  It's unfortunate that they are shedding jobs (especially if they are engineering or manufacturing jobs), but better to lose part of your workforce than all of it.  Nobody's interests are served if they go under completely (after all, you need multiple players for an actual open market to work). 

I'm hoping that they can survive and adapt.  My first company went through Chapter 11 and came out in better shape (for the most part).