Comments on: Planned Starhopper test shuts down Boca Chica

By: Diane Wilson

Diane Wilson — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 14:32:14 +0000

They still test engines, and do full-run static fires for completed first stages at McGregor. But no hops.

Also, from NSF, FAA approval for hop is official now. 150 meters max altitude.

By: David S

David S — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:45:03 +0000

I live 10 miles due west of McGregor, South Mountain area. Heard a test about 10 days ago.

By: Diane Wilson

Diane Wilson — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:15:41 +0000

This will probably be StarHopper’s last hop. The StarShip prototypes are apparently far enough along that they will be used for the first multi-engine tests. Also, the engine mounts for the hopper are three-in-a-row, but Starship will use a triangular arrangement, so Starship will be the better test vehicle.

By: mpthompson

mpthompson — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 01:09:53 +0000

BTW, reading the article, the reporting is based on selectively pulling comments from the original Brownsville Herald article. Pretty shabby reporting that probably doesn’t reflect the attitudes of the people that actually received the warning notice.

By: mpthompson

mpthompson — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 00:59:21 +0000

It is my understanding that there is only a handful (ie. less than 10) permanent residents left in the area that have not yet been bought out by SpaceX. Among the few are a number of SpaceX fans who love the spectacle and invite other SpaceX fans to their homes to watch the tests from their roofs. Those who have kept their home in Boca Chica Village are probably looking to make a small fortune via AirBnB if SpaceX continues to with Starship development there.

By: David

David — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 00:04:24 +0000

‘Lost” is perhaps an overstatement. Their existing FAA license expired, and they have not applied for a new one. I’ve seen it stated that they were quietly told that a new permit application would not be endorsed by the local community or county officials.

By: Robert Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 23:16:03 +0000

In reply to David. David: This I had not known. Do you have a source?

By: David

David — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 23:08:55 +0000

After they blew up their F9 hopper in a test at McGregor, their permission to do flight testing there was pulled, do that’s not an option.

By: geoffc

geoffc — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 22:03:10 +0000

Reading the NSF forums, where a couple of the very few remaining residents post, it seems that they plan on staying. The cops are not forcing anyone out. It is just a precautionary warning that the FAA is requiring for the test.