Technology
SpaceX is building an offshore rocket launch facility
SpaceX plans to launch rockets from a new facility several miles offshore.
A SpaceX job posting went up asking for an engineer to help “design and build an operational offshore rocket launch facility.” On Twitter, CEO Elon Musk said SpaceX was building “superheavy-class spaceports” to launch craft to Mars and the moon, and for “hypersonic travel around Earth.”
The job is based in Brownsville, Texas, near where SpaceX already has a land-based launch center in Boca Chica. The post also asks for “previous experience living or working offshore, or professional experience in the marine/offshore industry.”
We reached out to SpaceX for more details on the project, but didn’t immediately hear back.
Musk further explained on Twitter that the spaceport would need to be far enough from land to not disturb people (and presumably nature and wildlife) during launches and landings. The job also says you have to be willing to “work on an offshore platform.”
We need to be far enough away so as not to bother heavily populated areas. The launch & landing are not subtle. But you could get within a few miles of the spaceport in a boat.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2020
And in true Musk fashion, he teased a short turnaround for Earth-to-Earth test flights: two to three years.
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Earth’s mini moon could be a chunk of the big moon, scientists say
-
Entertainment6 days ago
The space station is leaking. Why it hasn’t imperiled the mission.
-
Entertainment5 days ago
‘Dune: Prophecy’ review: The Bene Gesserit shine in this sci-fi showstopper
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Black Friday 2024: The greatest early deals in Australia – live now
-
Entertainment4 days ago
How to watch ‘Smile 2’ at home: When is it streaming?
-
Entertainment3 days ago
‘Wicked’ review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aspire to movie musical magic
-
Entertainment2 days ago
A24 is selling chocolate now. But what would their films actually taste like?
-
Entertainment3 days ago
New teen video-viewing guidelines: What you should know