SpaceX, a pioneer in space exploration, is currently finalizing mission designs where one of the company’s autonomous drone ships will serve as a Falcon 9 landing location east of The Exumas, offering a spectacle that will be visible only in The Bahamas. This unique opportunity sets the stage for tourists to witness awe-inspiring space events from cruise ships, resorts, and various tourist hotspots, solidifying The Bahamas' position as a key player in the emerging space tourism industry.
Will this in theory mean calmer seas more often for an ASDS landing there, and faster transit back, increasing launch availability?
Cross-post; launch NET May 1, launch trajectory to the southeast; ASDS landing amidst the Bahamian islands in Exuma Sound the Tongue of the Ocean:Quote from: gongora on 03/31/2022 09:41 pmStarlink 4-15 permit request finally showed up, and the drone ship location is a bit interesting.0598-EX-ST-2022Since this was filed after the permits for higher numbered flights, I'm wondering if it's the rideshare for Spaceflight.
Starlink 4-15 permit request finally showed up, and the drone ship location is a bit interesting.0598-EX-ST-2022Since this was filed after the permits for higher numbered flights, I'm wondering if it's the rideshare for Spaceflight.
possibly save fuel by eliminating the Delta-V?)
Four Starlinks from Florida using the new landing area...0293-EX-ST-2024 Mission 2210 Starlink Group 7-28/Exuma trajectory0294-EX-ST-2024 Mission 2211 Starlink Group 7-29/Exuma trajectory0295-EX-ST-2024 Mission 2109 Starlink Group 8-4/Exuma trajectory0296-EX-ST-2024 Mission 2212 Starlink Group 7-30/Exuma trajectory
Quote from: Asteroza on 02/20/2024 03:41 amWill this in theory mean calmer seas more often for an ASDS landing there, and faster transit back, increasing launch availability?Just a theory, slightly further away means long travel time, but calmer waters allow for safer landing conditions and faster travel return time. As for increased launch cadence, SpaceX is still limited to two drone ships, and the need to perform RTLS is still needed when drone availability is limited. The RTLS cost them a few fewer Starlinks Sats, but the Delta-V saving may allow some added Starlinks Sats. I'll wait for the members with the math skills to do the calculations on this.Another theory suggests that the fleet heads towards the Bahamas at Exumas and uses a single barge to transport multiple boosters back to Port Canaveral before returning to Exumas. This approach is similar to the one used on the West Coast where a single drone ship docks at Long Beach and heads out for another landing, while a separate barge collects a couple of boosters and then departs for VSFB. The boosters are then dropped off at their port and the barge returns for more.
Quote from: catdlr on 02/20/2024 04:15 amQuote from: Asteroza on 02/20/2024 03:41 amWill this in theory mean calmer seas more often for an ASDS landing there, and faster transit back, increasing launch availability?Just a theory, slightly further away means long travel time, but calmer waters allow for safer landing conditions and faster travel return time. As for increased launch cadence, SpaceX is still limited to two drone ships, and the need to perform RTLS is still needed when drone availability is limited. The RTLS cost them a few fewer Starlinks Sats, but the Delta-V saving may allow some added Starlinks Sats. I'll wait for the members with the math skills to do the calculations on this.Another theory suggests that the fleet heads towards the Bahamas at Exumas and uses a single barge to transport multiple boosters back to Port Canaveral before returning to Exumas. This approach is similar to the one used on the West Coast where a single drone ship docks at Long Beach and heads out for another landing, while a separate barge collects a couple of boosters and then departs for VSFB. The boosters are then dropped off at their port and the barge returns for more.Yes, I expect that Musk has already acquired one of these islands near the landing area that has a preexisting harbor. Build a resort with an airstrip. Base one of the ASDS locally at this location and then transfer to a cargo ship for the trip back to the Eastern Range. (as you point out like on the West Coast) Then the ASDS is only 15 miles from the landing zone. This increases cadence dramatically.
Yes, I expect that Musk has already acquired one of these islands near the landing area that has a preexisting harbor.
Quote from: raptorx2 on 02/21/2024 12:16 amYes, I expect that Musk has already acquired one of these islands near the landing area that has a preexisting harbor. What?
Snip...SpaceX just purchased and offloaded a second crane at that port. So having a port in the Bahamas would require yet another crane.
Quote from: raptorx2 on 02/21/2024 12:16 amQuote from: catdlr on 02/20/2024 04:15 amQuote from: Asteroza on 02/20/2024 03:41 amWill this in theory mean calmer seas more often for an ASDS landing there, and faster transit back, increasing launch availability?Just a theory, slightly further away means long travel time, but calmer waters allow for safer landing conditions and faster travel return time. As for increased launch cadence, SpaceX is still limited to two drone ships, and the need to perform RTLS is still needed when drone availability is limited. The RTLS cost them a few fewer Starlinks Sats, but the Delta-V saving may allow some added Starlinks Sats. I'll wait for the members with the math skills to do the calculations on this.Another theory suggests that the fleet heads towards the Bahamas at Exumas and uses a single barge to transport multiple boosters back to Port Canaveral before returning to Exumas. This approach is similar to the one used on the West Coast where a single drone ship docks at Long Beach and heads out for another landing, while a separate barge collects a couple of boosters and then departs for VSFB. The boosters are then dropped off at their port and the barge returns for more.Yes, I expect that Musk has already acquired one of these islands near the landing area that has a preexisting harbor. Build a resort with an airstrip. Base one of the ASDS locally at this location and then transfer to a cargo ship for the trip back to the Eastern Range. (as you point out like on the West Coast) Then the ASDS is only 15 miles from the landing zone. This increases cadence dramatically.Why land on a barge and not on shore?
No one seems to have said this - but Blue Origin is moving into Port Canaveral right next to SX. Maybe they too expect a harbor crane to be available. (Although the brand new crane above the words "Port Canaveral" in this tweet is BO's)
I think a big question I have is whether there will be idiot boaters out for the F9 landings in the same way there were for the first Crew Dragon splashdown along the gulf coast. Landing far offshore in the Atlantic has a way of keeping the riff-raff out. This location is 14-18 miles from various islands all around it.
