SpaceX to modify SLC-40 for Crew Dragon launches

[ecarfan]

It was first reported in mid-2022 that SpaceX might make changes to SLC-40 so that it could launch Crew Dragon missions from that pad. Now it has been confirmed. NASA wants it done as a backup for LC-39A since SpaceX is building a Starship “Stage Zero” pad just about 300m away. But modifying SLC-40 will require extensive work and it seems that will be quite disruptive to the current F9 missions from that pad.

 

[mongo]

It was first reported in mid-2022 that SpaceX might make changes to SLC-40 so that it could launch Crew Dragon missions from that pad. Now it has been confirmed. NASA wants it done as a backup for LC-39A since SpaceX is building a Starship “Stage Zero” pad just about 300m away. But modifying SLC-40 will require extensive work and it seems that will be quite disruptive to the current F9 missions from that pad.

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Is the disruptive part from an article/ other Tweet? Depending on stand off distance, it may not be too bad. Especially if the post Amos-6 rebuild planned for this.

Wonder if that is the next tower they are building in FL. Just reuse the Starship design. Maybe not since it needs foundation work.

Other infrastructure thing is that, given the way rockets with side boosters were placed at 90 degrees to the approach path, it doesn't seem like SLC-40 could handle Falcon Heavy without a turntable or such.

LAUNCH COMPLEX 40 (TITAN) FACT SHEET | Spaceline

 

[ecarfan]

As I understand it, SLC-40 is going to be modified only to support Crew Dragon launches, meaning a tower to get the astronauts up to the capsule, which is a separate structure from the GSE for F9 that is already present. But that new tower will be very close to the pad and construction will have to be completely stopped every time there is an F9 launch there.

It is a minimal structure compared to what SpaceX has built for Starship in Boca Chica.

No plans to launch Starship from SLC-40. SpaceX is currently building a Starship “Stage Zero” tower at LC-39A.

 

[mongo]

As I understand it, SLC-40 is going to be modified only to support Crew Dragon launches, meaning a tower to get the astronauts up to the capsule, which is a separate structure from the GSE for F9 that is already present. But that new tower will be very close to the pad and construction will have to be completely stopped every time there is an F9 launch there.

It is a minimal structure compared to what SpaceX has built for Starship in Boca Chica.

No plans to launch Starship from SLC-40. SpaceX is currently building a Starship “Stage Zero” tower at LC-39A.

Sure, but since SpaceX already has a tower designed seems like potential reuse (albeit shorter). Plus strong enough for long crew access arm.
Might be too overkill though.

 

[ecarfan]

Sure, but since SpaceX already has a tower designed seems like potential reuse (albeit shorter). Plus strong enough for long crew access arm.
Might be too overkill though.

The third Stage Zero parts that are currently visible at the Roberts Road facility include the chopsticks arms (see far left side of cropped NSF image below from a recent flyover) which I think means that tower will not be used for the new crew access tower at SLC-40. The foundation for that new tower is being constructed right now (see highlighted area in second photo below).

 

[ecarfan]

New NSF video showing what they believe to be the first sections built for the new SLC-40 crew access tower. (They are definitely not sections for a Starship Stage Zero tower)

 

[ecarfan]

New NSF video shows a blurry image of the new crew tower at SLC-40. Looks like just one more level is going to be added.