Posted on 06/24/2016 7:53:08 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Port Canaveral is the facility that SpaceX relies on in its operations. Spent boosters are recovered aboard their drone ship, which docks at the Port. They are then offloaded from the drone ship with SpaceXs special crane, loaded onto a truck and delivered to Kennedy Space Center.
All of this activity puts a special strain on the Ports facilities, according to Rodger Rees, the ports deputy executive director and chief financial officer. In a memo to port commissioners, he said Due to the heavy weight and the effect of this weight on the ports berths, staff is recommending that the tariff be expanded to include a wharfage charges category for aerospace/aircraft items.
So far, SpaceX has transported 3 recovered boosters through Port Canaveral. The rationalization for the fee increase is based on some minor damage caused to the Port, and on the increased wear and tear that 30 ton boosters will have on the Port and its structures. SpaceXs special crane also takes up space at the Port.
But SpaceX isnt being singled out. The Port is trying to develop a fee structure for private space companies, who are expected to proliferate in the future and require port facilities the same way SpaceX does.
As new aerospace companies relocate to the Space Coast, it is anticipated that the port will need to accommodate items of a similar nature in the future, and will retain the right to negotiate these future charges, if needed, said Rees in the same memo.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
Apparently the Port Authority finally found out that elon gots big bucks. Spent a LOT of time in Port Canaveral over the 24 years we lived in the area.
Coming Soon! SpaceX commerical port.
Come offload your cargo withouth the exorbitant fees.
They could get theirs for free just by charging a nominal fee
Apparently the Port Authority finally found out that elon gots big bucks. Spent a LOT of time in Port Canaveral over the 24 years we lived in the area.
...
Could be or it may be legitimate. It’s probably a bit of both. The new fee would be $15,000, a drop in the bucket considering a recovered booster is estimated to save $20 million.
SpaceX is also building a launch pad on the coast of Texas.
Obama’s idea ? They’re making NASA’s Muslim outreach look bad
And elon is constructing a battery plant just outside of Reno. He got money everywhere. Building the less expensive Tesla for common folks to the tune of around $60K. Thanks elon.
Thanks for added information. I heard it on the radio and it sounded just plain excessive...maybe more to the story!
You got it.
IIRC the port was recently upgraded for Disney and other cruise outfits. I think FEC is also participating in facility upgrades.
Translation- These guys are showing up the government so we have to do something to slow them down.
I think, living in the area and hearing all the port stories, it is just another money grab by the commissioners that I see as out of control. They just dredged the port deeper and made the basin larger for the new YUGE cruise ships to come shortly. Maybe they are covering their own deficiencies???
I just read an article yesterday about Tesla Motors offering to buy SolarCity for about $2.8 billion. Part of the reason is Tesla is making home battery systems to store solar energy from solar panels that SolarCity produces. Elon Musk just happens to be the largest individual shareholder in SolarCity, which saw their shares surge 17 percent on the news. Musk is indeed rolling in money, and has his hands into everything.
Oh looky, it's political corruption time! Didn't stop the bash-musk trolls from squirming right out of the woodwork though. Thanks BenLurkin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.