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by dieselgate 17 days ago
I'm a layperson when it comes to launchpads and aerospace but "we need to build as many launchpads as we can" seems quite spatially demanding? With all the public push-back around data centers and large fulfillment centers it seems an uphill climb. I am genuinely curious to the constraints here as, additionally, I read an article about the large environmental impact of SpaceX (?) debris falling onto public land in the outside vicinity of their launch area.

From environmental, staffing and practical standpoints it may make sense to condense the launchpads in a single area. Just spitballing here and am curious to learn more.
2 comments
rbanffy 17 days ago
They don’t have to be too far from each other.

Another option would be to standardise on a launch pad design and make the rockets to match it, perhaps with a set of adapters for ground systems. This way, if you accidentally decommission a pad, you can build a new set of adapters and use any other pad that follows your “Unipad” standard.

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ramaseshanms 16 days ago
Standardizing is not quite simple. Each rocket is different from each other. There are many reasons why launchpads are intricately designed as per specific rockets. examples like The type of fuel used, the pipelines that supply them until T-0, the reusable capabilities, sound suppression system, rocket and payload weight, etc. But if standardization is indeed achieved, then all the more victory for the spacefarers!
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rbanffy 16 days ago
I know it’s not simple. This is why it’d need some deliberate imposition of requirements - this would harm the players with most dedicated platforms to benefit everyone (including the people paying to launch their things).

I am not sure why NASA hasn’t imposed the requirement that Dragon, Starliner, and Dream Chaser should all be able to launch from each others booster.

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ramaseshanms 16 days ago
Yes, I meant the same. Basically, I called for expansion of existing spaceports and a handful of new ones. They will be closer to the coast as always with the launch paths facing the ocean to avoid debris falling on the population.
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