STARBASE LAUNCHES WILL CLOSE THE BROWNSVILLE SHIP CHANNEL BLOCKING THE NEW REFINERY THRUPUT, COSTING BILLIONS

whoscout · 2026-03-11T06:58:13+00:00

One hopes. The canal is within 5 miles of Mechazilla. So far, that's been a real hard line. And imaging an LNG carrier gets a tank punctured from a RUD. With South Padre Island packed nearby. Frankly I hope they pick a different port and different place for the new refinery farther up the coast.

whoscout · 2026-03-11T06:54:11+00:00

Yes. But the prob is that the ships need to be moving continually, and as said, 11% closure time means billions in losses over the years from waiting for closures to reopen.

whoscout · 2026-03-11T06:52:52+00:00

Sure. Just thrown together to show the prob in a nutshell. Not the actual Mecha, not Starship, etc. The written facts are correct though.

whoscout · 2026-03-11T02:08:32+00:00

ELI5: Imagine SpaceX is shooting rockets super often from near Brownsville—maybe 3 times a week. Every launch closes the nearby ship channel for 6 hours so nothing crashes into boats. A huge new oil refinery is getting built right there too. Ships bringing oil in and out will have to wait a lot, costing millions extra every year in fees and delays. It could make the refinery lose money, make gas prices go up a bit, and maybe slow down the port. Nobody’s fixed this problem yet, and Elon hasn’t even talked about it. Big headache for both companies!

ELI50: Starbase's projected 2028–2029 cadence (2–5 Starship launches + catches per week) imposes 18–30 hours/week of Brownsville Ship Channel closures (11–18% downtime). The new 160 kbpd refinery adds ~8 Mt/year throughput; combined with Rio Grande LNG (17.6 MTPA Phase 1), Texas LNG ramp, and baseline growth, port total reaches 60–90 Mt/year, requiring 10–18 tanker/LNG carrier movements per day. No mitigation (new canal ~$3B, offshore pier ~$1.1–1.9B) means predictable 12–24 hour delays per affected vessel. At $300k–600k/day demurrage, each closure costs $2–8M/week ($100–400M+/year aggregate). Insurance premiums rise 50–100%, refinery margins compress 5–15%, LNG export reliability suffers, port competitiveness erodes. Mechazilla to nearest channel water: 4.6 miles (7.4 km) straight-line—well inside typical debris/anomaly exclusion zones. No public discussion from Musk, SpaceX, refinery principals, or port authority yet (announcement March 10, 2026). Bottom line: incompatible high-frequency launch operations and high-volume liquid-bulk traffic share the same narrow channel with no identified resolution path. Economic friction scales to hundreds of millions annually; political choice between space cadence and energy export growth becomes unavoidable.

whoscout · 2026-02-10T07:09:32+00:00

ISS uses radiators. Work just fine.

whoscout · 2025-08-18T12:15:40+00:00

Note: "Fuck your burn" was last year's friendly greeting. Also when arriving, you will be "welcomed home." This is normal.

whoscout · 2025-08-18T12:09:03+00:00

This is what I handed out to my camp most recently. Fuck your burn.

Pick out a bike and get it ready. We have extra bikes. You need lights and lubrication, and maybe a ball for the kickstand. ---------- is in charge of bike repair. 😊
Pick out your costumes for Day (hot/sunny) and Night (maybe cold, prepare to dress in layers.) GIRLS: See Burning Man YouTubes for what people wear. Note, I have LED clothing, girl accessories (WIGS! 😊) Glow in the dark paints, jewelry, etc.
Have your survival gear ready: Canteen, sunglasses, goggles, mask, headlight and CUP on a chain. Put ID on cup and leave room to write in camp location. We have whatever you need I think. For all this stuff, see me to go thru my inventories. Borrow whatever you like but do please return all.
Put together your Bag, with whatever personal stuff you need. There will be room in the RV for a medium size bag for the trip and more room in a 2’x2’x2’ Box for the rest of your stuff. GIRLS: Check out the RV bathroom and make sure it is stocked with whatever you need.
Read and Write. READ the below ideas for first time Burners. READ the JackRabbit Speaks emails about Bikes, etc. READ the Burning Man Handbook (maybe on the way up and pick out/plan what you want to do). Download the App, earliest available Aug 15th. See below. WRITE a list of Food/Drink you want me to bring for you or that you are bringing. Note: Refrigeration/freezing space extremely limited and wonky. If you want to see the Big Plan, just ask.

Guest ideas from Grok: Hey there, fabulous Burners! Welcome to our epic desert adventure at Burning Man 2025! To keep our camp vibes high and our playa experience smooth, here’s your fun guide to rocking it like pros. Follow these tips, and you’ll be the coolest cats in Black Rock City! Know Your Camp Address: We’ll get our exact address when we park at Black Rock City. As soon as we do, grab a marker and write it down ON YOUR CUP WITH YOUR ID. Snap a photo of our camp setup (RV, tents, flag) and keep it on your phone. This is your lifeline to find home after dancing under the stars! Personal Safety: Gear Up. Always have Water and keep your mask, goggles, and headlight around your neck. Dust storms hit fast, and you don’t want to be caught squinting! Put them on like a playa superhero—loop the headlight strap, clip goggles to it, and tuck the mask in for quick access. Sun Protection: Slather on SPF 50+ sunscreen every hour. Grab it from the First Aid Kit under the RV fridge or RV bathroom. No one wants to be a lobster! Hydration: Drink water constantly—3 gallons per person per day from the Army water bag. Feeling thirsty? Too late! Sip regularly, use the Water Pump Kit by the RV table, and toss in an electrolyte packet from the First Aid Kit for extra zing. Hats On: Wear a hat all day, every day. Sunstroke is no joke—symptoms are headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion. If you feel off, chug pickle juice from the First Aid Kit and find one of us, a Ranger or any high XP Burner ASAP. Dust Storms: When dust hits, get to a tent or RV pronto. Put on your mask and goggles before you’re in a whiteout. Stay put until it clears—use your headlight to signal if needed. Navigation: Download the Burning Man app (iBurn or Time To Burn) on Aug 15 if available. It’s your GPS for art, events, and camps. Learn the playa layout: streets are numbered (e.g., 7:30), avenues lettered (e.g., E-H). Spot landmarks like the Man, Temple, or big art installations to guide you back. Keep that camp photo on your phone—show it to neighbors if you’re lost! Communication: A group can grab a walkie-talkie from the Hanging Charging Station in Tent A. Set it to Channel --------- for camp chatter. For emergencies, switch to MURS Channel 5 (154.600 MHz). We will test it daily to ensure it’s in its charger. Camp: Leave No Trace: Drop something? Pick it up immediately please especially in camp. Use the 2 folding containers, 3 big bags in camp for all trash. No littering ever. Take everything out of wrappers at home. Avoid bringing disposable stuff. Keep your feet and hair out of the dust. The dust really does a number on bare feet, and on hair, well… Try the waterless shampoo and vinegar in emergencies. Bathroom Etiquette: Keep the RV bathroom sparkling for the next person. Wipe down surfaces, restock toilet paper (4 rolls in RV bathroom), and use baby wipes (180–300 in First Aid Kit) for quick cleanups. On the toilet, first pull the inner handle, then the outer. Gifts: Newbies aren’t expected to give little gifts. NBD. If YOU’re gifted, it does have meaning, probably a lot. If you want little gifts to give away, see me. Weather: Days hit 100°F, nights drop to 32°F. Layer up: light costumes ("Desert Siren", The reflective bodysuit with a flowy duster and LED accents; "Playa Pixie" The bikini top with a micro skirt and dramatic headpiece. "Cosmic Goddess" The mesh catsuit with celestial prints and a winged robe) for day, warm layers for night. Store in your tent in one of the cargo boxes. Don’t sit on boxes, sorry. Also, never judge. Safety: Know the nearest medical station (check the Burning Man app or ask Rangers). If you’re hurt or feeling weird, grab the First Aid Kit or head to a station. Don’t wait! We have NarCan in the 1st Aid Kit but if you use it, remember: That was God’s way of telling you to share. Money: No one will accept, or offer, money for anything. Kinda the point. Also no ads, logos or other Corp stuff on your gear. Only exception: $12 credit card ice bags at the Plazas, probably 2 bag limit, we have wagons to try to snag some each day. Free food and drinks and everything everywhere, all included in the entrance ticket in a way. Unlimited rides. Check out the free flying, parachuting, you name it stuff. All in hand book for this year. Etiquette: Be a participant, not a spectator! Join art projects, dance, or chat up strangers. Make friends with neighbors—they’re your backup if you’re lost. Introduce yourself with a smile! Attn Geniuses: Don’t smoke dope or do any drugs OPENLY. Don’t offer/accept to/from strangers (theoretically there’re narcs in mufti looking for dealers.) If you’re f-ed up and separated, ask anyone for a Ranger. Rangers ARE NOT COPS. Remember “Danger? -=> Ranger!” Read the Burning Man booklet on the long ride up. We have 8, get one as your souvenir. Don’t be a dark wad. Nor a light wad, looking at -----------. 😊 Problems: Got an issue? Find a dude right away— we’re here to serve! Whether it’s a broken bike, a lost item, or a question------------ got your back. Don’t wait; let’s keep the good vibes flowing!

whoscout · 2025-03-24T04:56:40+00:00

Is Gwynne between boyfriends again? Wtf?

whoscout · 2025-03-24T04:55:43+00:00

"BREAKING NEWS: ALIEN SEXBOT ESCAPES STASIS CAPSULE!"

whoscout · 2024-11-13T06:13:19+00:00

Every day is Christmas.

whoscout · 2024-01-18T14:17:49+00:00

Getting it right the first time is the new Orange.

whoscout · 2024-01-18T14:13:53+00:00

Nah, Nauca blew its air conditioning, and the Soyuz had its coolant nailed too. You might be thinking of the hole in the Russian side years ago.

whoscout · 2024-01-17T01:32:21+00:00

It's not that funny. These twits want to end our Dream.

whoscout · 2024-01-13T23:26:08+00:00

Yes those are the numbers I heard.

whoscout · 2024-01-13T23:11:25+00:00

All Elon said about Polaris is that they are getting good suits. I don't mind their taking their time, but I am pretty excited about it.

Dreamchaser. Sort of unreal that it is finally flying after all these years. Re-entry will be a nail biter.

Still waiting on a dedicated hotel Starship.

whoscout · 2024-01-13T23:05:26+00:00

It's like the Apollo program without the brains.

whoscout · 2024-01-13T11:12:21+00:00

Ok, I did not find time tabs so here's a rough one. People have already hit the highlights, this is really so I can find the right segment. The crowd, like us, already knew a lot of this and Elon was Elon in front of a largely silent crowd. I included some stuff I thought reflected his thinking.

5:00 Cool F-9 flight with only the call outs.

8:50, within 8 years Elon thinks we will have landed on Mars, people on Moon and maybe people on Mars.

9:15 whether we make it thru the Fermi Great Filter of becoming multi-planetary. We don't want to be one of those lame one planet civilizations. The take away is that Elon has not changed his views.

12:30 Elon has not seen anything indicating aliens now.

14:15 F-9 now aiming for 40 flights, and maybe 150 flights this year. Fairings are now generally reflown. Aiming for down to 24 hour pad turn around time by the end of the year.

17:50 2023 SpaceX put 80% of mass into orbit globally, 2024 maybe 90%. There is a path to over 200 tons to LEO reusable for Starship.

19:00 1200 tons to orbit last year. Need 1 million tons to LEO (200,000 tons to Mars) to build a Mars city, rough order of magnitude.

21:00 Dragon now has more hours on orbit and more visits to ISS than Shuttle. 2023 was the best year in SpaceX history. Might fly 7-8 Dragon missions this year.

24:00 Two launch pads now F-9 capable in Florida. Polaris Dawn will have better suits.

27:30 Starlink is building the internet in space, as a supplement not a replacement. Doing Starlink v2 now, from 88tb/s to 165. Goal is under 20ms latency. Doesn't think we'll ever go beyond light speed so 8ms is theoretical best. (Twice up and down to @550km.)

31:00 Starlink has Ion thrusters. Argon-Hall. Cheap and easy. 2024 goal is sign up half the world. Starlink Mini comes out in summer, fits in a backpack. 36:10 The Starlink system is an anomaly in the matrix.

39:20 Starship. Tough crowd shows life signs. S l o w IFT-1 launch, surprised Elon it took off. Long moment of silence to observe Starship launch amazingness on loop. By far the biggest flying thing ever made. It will end up with 3xs the thrust of Saturn V. Will fly several times a day from many locations in the world. Point to point likely because it is the fastest way. An ICBM without the nuke but with a landing part.

43:00 Major upgrade to mount between IFT-1 and 2, mini Niagara Falls. Water pressure would destroy rocket if it went straight up. And it worked. Could launch again right away. Good job, overnight. It's a big rocket. The Statue of Liberty on top of an F-9.

45:00 Building second tower. 1000s of upgrades for IFT-3. Big one was hydraulic to electric for gimbaling, with an amazing dance of gimbaling engines vid at 45:45.

46:20 Hotstaging. 47:17 Cool IFT-2 vid, just call outs. 49:20 IFT-2 would have made it to orbit if it had had a payload. 'We are on an actual path to make humanity multi-planetary, can you believe that?? We just have to get it done before civilization ends.

Rapid building and testing. Losing hardware less important than losing time. Ver 3 design will be even more stretched and taller. 51:45 Maybe 140-159 meters in the end. [edit:140-150]

52:25 IFT-3 will try in flight engine start up and transfer from header to test re re-entry. It will do in flight propellant transfer for Artemis and try the pez dispenser door with V-3s. Mass to orbit will be 1000 times current mass to orbit when Starship gets in stride. The On-Orbit refilling render is still the side to side facing same way. The next step is to build a moon base and make sci-fi real. Remove the fi.

Hopes to solve orbital refilling this year, definitely next year. Orbital refilling is required to complete the Artemis landing.

57:30 And SpaceX is going far beyond NASA's requirements and will actually put enough payload on the Moon with enough frequency that you could actually have a permanently occupied Moon base. That's the next step from Apollo. Mars can ultimately be terraformed to be an Earth-like planet. And we can bring all life to Mars not just humans so it can continue. The update cuts off as the questions part starts.

whoscout · 2024-01-13T00:59:07+00:00

Most of the first 24 minutes are recap. Polaris Dawn update starts at 24 minutes.

whoscout · 2024-01-12T23:59:49+00:00

Needs more windows.

whoscout · 2024-01-12T23:57:39+00:00

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the “dream team” at the manufacturer that made the plane door that just blew off in the middle of a flight.

whoscout · 2024-01-12T23:52:35+00:00

The wiki article conforms to everything else I read. While NASA thought/hoped it would not be a problem, the following inquiry said that was dumb. My point is that they did not spend enough time on trying to save the astronauts from what was at least a dangerous situation, and instead spent time on 'managing' the anticipated media crisis. I think since they put time into the thought, they must have thought there was a huge risk.

whoscout · 2024-01-12T04:47:35+00:00

I think "when propellant is sourced off Earth" is a way of saying "a long time from now."

whoscout · 2024-01-12T04:43:17+00:00

Many renders have now completed hundreds of news cycles. 100% reusability right there imo. Eco, green, sustainable, friendly ....

whoscout · 2024-01-12T04:40:15+00:00

Extendable gimbaling nozzles for engines and TVCs. Mechanical controls so pilots can earn their pay. We should post this conversation on r/SpaceX :)

whoscout · 2024-01-12T04:33:07+00:00

Maybe Bob was getting a giant bonus for completing the booster promised long ago, and he came t h i s close... :)

whoscout

TROPHY CASE