Author Topic: SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 6 (Read 201362 times)

Dave G · « **Reply #780 on:** 01/09/2018 08:08 PM »

New hotels coming to Harlingen in anticipation of SpaceX
http://riograndeguardian.com/edc-ceo-new-hotels-coming-to-harlingen-in-anticipation-of-spacex/

Quote

A big reason 300-plus new hotel rooms are coming to Harlingen is in anticipation of SpaceX’s eagerly-anticipated rocket launching facility at Boca Chica beach.

That is the view of Raudel Garza, CEO of Harlingen Economic Development Corporation.

Garza appeared on RGG LIVE on Facebook on Monday and discussed new hotels coming to his city. On the way are a Hilton Garden Inn, which is going next to the new $14 million convention center, a Homewood Suites by Hilton, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites.

“When I heard about the hotel developers coming in we visited with them. One of the first things we do is ask them, what is going on, what is driving your decision to locate here in Harlingen?” Garza told the Rio Grande Guardian, following the livestream.

“And, what was a pleasant surprise was, they said really it is SpaceX. The expected demand for rooms for the tourists that will come here to see the launches, and for the crews that are working on the launches.”

Garza said Harlingen’s city and economic development leaders are excited that investors see a link between Harlingen and SpaceX.

Dave G · « **Reply #781 on:** 01/09/2018 08:10 PM »

By the way, Nomadd, what ever happened to that abandoned hotel?

SPITexas · « **Reply #782 on:** 01/09/2018 09:10 PM »

Quote from: Dave G on 01/09/2018 08:08 PM

New hotels coming to Harlingen in anticipation of SpaceX
http://riograndeguardian.com/edc-ceo-new-hotels-coming-to-harlingen-in-anticipation-of-spacex/
Quote
A big reason 300-plus new hotel rooms are coming to Harlingen is in anticipation of SpaceX’s eagerly-anticipated rocket launching facility at Boca Chica beach.

That is the view of Raudel Garza, CEO of Harlingen Economic Development Corporation.

Garza appeared on RGG LIVE on Facebook on Monday and discussed new hotels coming to his city. On the way are a Hilton Garden Inn, which is going next to the new $14 million convention center, a Homewood Suites by Hilton, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites.

“When I heard about the hotel developers coming in we visited with them. One of the first things we do is ask them, what is going on, what is driving your decision to locate here in Harlingen?” Garza told the Rio Grande Guardian, following the livestream.

“And, what was a pleasant surprise was, they said really it is SpaceX. The expected demand for rooms for the tourists that will come here to see the launches, and for the crews that are working on the launches.”

Garza said Harlingen’s city and economic development leaders are excited that investors see a link between Harlingen and SpaceX.

Only question everybody is thinking is when,SpaceX starts Contruction. Suprised we haven’t heard anything from the Brownsville Economic Development council.

Nomadd · « **Reply #783 on:** 01/09/2018 09:26 PM »

Quote from: Dave G on 01/09/2018 08:10 PM

By the way, Nomadd, what ever happened to that abandoned hotel?

Sam owns the house next to it and got the county to make the owner remove the mortal remains of the roof because his insurance inspector was getting edgy. The cinder blocks remain as mute testimony to unrealistic expectations.

Funny you should mention new electrical lines. A trencher, spool of 2 inch conduit and markers pointing to our vintage substation have appeared. I thought of opening the box to see what's in there, but it looks like the hinges rusted out sometime in the 70s.

Nomadd · « **Reply #784 on:** 01/09/2018 09:41 PM »

What a 40 foot high camera gets you from my back yard. Unfortunately, the tree between me and the control center is 45.

Dave G · « **Reply #785 on:** 01/09/2018 09:50 PM »

Quote from: Nomadd on 01/09/2018 09:26 PM

Funny you should mention new electrical lines. A trencher, spool of 2 inch conduit and markers pointing to our vintage substation have appeared.

I'm just trying to figure out if the solar array will be:
1) Off-grid with Tesla Powerpacks
2) Grid tied with no Tesla Powerpacks
3) Some mix of 1) and 2), possibly with diesel backup

Given your reports of how much they've been digging and running moles, I'm leaning towards 2), but still unsure.

Dave G · « **Reply #786 on:** 01/09/2018 09:54 PM »

Quote from: Nomadd on 01/09/2018 09:41 PM

What a 40 foot high camera gets you from my back yard. Unfortunately, the tree between me and the control center is 45.

Looks like you have a good view of Stargate. Does your camera have optical zoom?

Nomadd · « **Reply #787 on:** 01/09/2018 10:02 PM »

Quote from: Dave G on 01/09/2018 09:54 PM

Quote from: Nomadd on 01/09/2018 09:41 PM

What a 40 foot high camera gets you from my back yard. Unfortunately, the tree between me and the control center is 45.

Looks like you have a good view of Stargate. Does your camera have optical zoom?

These two were a sample of the optical zoom. The mast is back down now. I just risked extending it without guys on a calm day for a few minutes.
I know there are better cameras that take real pictures and not just video frames, but it doesn't pay to buy electronics before you need it now days.

smndk · « **Reply #788 on:** 01/09/2018 11:09 PM »

Quote from: Dave G on 01/09/2018 09:50 PM

Quote from: Nomadd on 01/09/2018 09:26 PM
Funny you should mention new electrical lines. A trencher, spool of 2 inch conduit and markers pointing to our vintage substation have appeared.

I'm just trying to figure out if the solar array will be:
1) Off-grid with Tesla Powerpacks
2) Grid tied with no Tesla Powerpacks
3) Some mix of 1) and 2), possibly with diesel backup

Given your reports of how much they've been digging and running moles, I'm leaning towards 2), but still unsure.

Given that Musk is involved at some level, I would say 3.

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #789 on:** 01/09/2018 11:13 PM »

I'd bet they'd have some sort of backup power generation, I think either grid or gas/diesel generators are pretty possible.

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #790 on:** 01/09/2018 11:20 PM »

Quick question: What is the giant crane for whose "house" is being built right now? Is it for inside the HIF?

Dave G · « **Reply #791 on:** 01/09/2018 11:32 PM »

Quote from: IanThePineapple on 01/09/2018 11:20 PM

Quick question: What is the giant crane for whose "house" is being built right now? Is it for inside the HIF?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Dave G · « **Reply #792 on:** 01/10/2018 01:41 AM »

Quote from: Nomadd on 01/09/2018 10:02 PM

I know there are better cameras that take real pictures and not just video frames, but it doesn't pay to buy electronics before you need it now days.

The zoom looks pretty good to me.

MickQ · « **Reply #793 on:** 01/10/2018 09:54 AM »

A DJI Phantom 3 with custom stainless steel rotors should sort that tree out, Nomadd.

Lar · « **Reply #794 on:** 01/10/2018 02:28 PM »

Quote from: Dave G on 01/09/2018 11:32 PM

Quote from: IanThePineapple on 01/09/2018 11:20 PM
Quick question: What is the giant crane for whose "house" is being built right now? Is it for inside the HIF?
Your guess is as good as mine.

Presumably the cranes inside the HIF would be overhead bridge cranes.This crane doesn't seem to be that kind, since it seems to have a base, a vertical component and a horizontal one. If you read back and review the pictures, speculation was that it would be used to construct the launch pad, and then remain as a crane for placing things (second stage on first, BFS on BFR) during operations.

Unclear if that speculation is well founded but I find it more likely than that this actually is for inside the HIF....

Jet Black · « **Reply #795 on:** 01/10/2018 03:13 PM »

Is there any chance that they might consider vertical integration of payloads? They have to do it anyway for the BFR, so if texas was a useful launch site for Falcon payloads that can only be integrated vertically, they might just kill two birds with one stone.

Dave G · « **Reply #796 on:** 01/10/2018 03:22 PM »

Quote from: Jet Black on 01/10/2018 03:13 PM

Is there any chance that they might consider vertical integration of payloads? They have to do it anyway for the BFR, so if texas was a useful launch site for Falcon payloads that can only be integrated vertically, they might just kill two birds with one stone.

I think vertical integration for F9/FH would require a new EIS. The current EIS describes horizontal integration.

Also, are you sure BFS payload integration will be done vertically? Couldn't they pack satellites into the BFS payload bay while BFS is horizontal, then bring it vertical at the pad? At that point, the crane that's built into the pad would place BFS on top of BFR.

the_other_Doug · « **Reply #797 on:** 01/10/2018 03:27 PM »

Quote from: Dave G on 01/10/2018 03:22 PM

Quote from: Jet Black on 01/10/2018 03:13 PM
Is there any chance that they might consider vertical integration of payloads? They have to do it anyway for the BFR, so if texas was a useful launch site for Falcon payloads that can only be integrated vertically, they might just kill two birds with one stone.
I think vertical integration for F9/FH would require a new EIS. The current EIS describes horizontal integration.

Also, are you sure BFS payload integration will be done vertically? Couldn't they pack satellites into the BFS payload bay while BFS is horizontal, then bring it vertical at the pad? At that point, the crane that's built into the pad would place BFS on top of BFR.

In the various CGI presentations of BFS vehicle flow that have been released by SpaceX, the BFS does not nominally go horizontal in ground operations. It lands on its tail on a landing pad situated next to the launch pad, has its payload bay serviced at the landing pad, and is then craned onto the top of a nearby BFR for immediate refueling and relaunch.

No horizontal servicing planned for the beast at all...

Dave G · « **Reply #798 on:** 01/10/2018 03:36 PM »

Quote from: Lar on 01/10/2018 02:28 PM

If you read back and review the pictures, speculation was that it would be used to construct the launch pad, and then remain as a crane for placing things (second stage on first, BFS on BFR) during operations.

I suspect the crane will also be used to build the various facilities. Note that the EIS specifies 9 buildings:
• Pad Hangar
• Storage / CSE Parts Building
• Machine / Weld / Workshop Building
• Local Office at Launch Site
• Two Separate Launch Control Center Buildings
• Two Separate Payload Processing Facilities
• Another Hangar in the Control Center Area (the EIS says this is for refurbishment of flown stages, or for
pre-integration preparation of the launch vehicle stages before they go to the pad hangar for final integration)

Dave G · « **Reply #799 on:** 01/10/2018 03:44 PM »

Quote from: the_other_Doug on 01/10/2018 03:27 PM

In the various CGI presentations of BFS vehicle flow that have been released by SpaceX, the BFS does not nominally go horizontal in ground operations. It lands on its tail on a landing pad situated next to the launch pad, has its payload bay serviced at the landing pad, and is then craned onto the top of a nearby BFR for immediate refueling and relaunch.

No horizontal servicing planned for the beast at all...

I guess it depends on what you call "payload integration".

So far, they've only shown how it will work for the BFS passenger and tanker variations. Here, BFS just stays vertical between flights.

For the BFS cargo version that launches satellites to Earth orbit, I haven't seen any pictures or videos that show how payload integration will work. Have you?

I'm guessing they'll need to transport BFS from the launch pad back to some type of payload processing facility, mate the satellite(s) with BFS there, then transport it back to the pad. But again, your guess is as good as mine.