SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports
SpaceX has acquired two former oil drilling rigs to serve as these floating spaceports. Named Phobos and Deimos, after the two moons of Mars, they are currently undergoing modifications to support Starship launch operations.
SpaceX has long been hinting at future floating launch and landing sites for their Starship launch system. The super heavy lift launch vehicle will have a large blast danger area and pose noise concerns if launched frequently near populated areas. Therefore, sea launch platforms will play a key role in the launch cadence SpaceX plans to reach with Starship, including on-orbit refueling flights for deep space missions and transportation from one place to another on Earth.
Job postings by SpaceX have indicated that work on offshore launch platforms has begun in Brownsville, Texas, near their Starship manufacturing and launch facilities in Boca Chica.
SpaceX purchased the rigs from the bankrupt owner for $3.5 million each. They may have cost around $500 million each to build.
See also: SpaceX's second Super Heavy booster enters production in South Texas
Previously: SpaceX Wants to Build Floating Spaceports for Daily Starship Launches
(Score: 2) by looorg on Thursday January 21 2021, @02:22AM (6 children)
What are the environmental impacts from launching at sea? Im sure some whale-huggers will find some dying Mackerel, plankton, corals, dolphins or other sea critters that are doomed due to this.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday January 21 2021, @02:33AM (4 children)
Launching a rocket from many meters above sea level on a pre-built oil rig can't be any worse than starting a fire in a wildlife refuge [archive.org].
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by looorg on Thursday January 21 2021, @02:48AM (3 children)
Tell that to Greenpeace etc, I'm sure they'll be able to find something to take issue with.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 21 2021, @03:00AM (2 children)
When Greenpunks show up you just turn the engines toward their boats. Problem solved. I've met a few of these idiots; total asses, scammers, and scum.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 21 2021, @03:43AM (1 child)
We had Greenpeace bring in their outboard motors for their Zodiak boats for repair, back in the late 90's. All 2 stroke engines. (Honda has made 4 stroke outboard engines since at least the mid 80's, probably earlier (too lazy to look it up))
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 21 2021, @04:46AM
I was thinking the rocket engines; but ok maybe the oil rig thrusters might be fine too. ;)
(Score: 5, Insightful) by MIRV888 on Thursday January 21 2021, @07:09AM
It was already an oil rig. It's gonna be tough to top that damage.