The Truth About Starship’s New Launchpad

Starbase Expansion - Elon's Land Transfer (14s)

• SpaceX is looking to double the size of their existing launch and landing site at Starbase, Texas.
• The company is in the midst of a land deal with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
• SpaceX needs to sever more land from the Boca Chica State Park to build their second launch and landing zone.
• In exchange for the launch site expansion, SpaceX is offering up an even bigger plot of land near the town of Laguna Vista.
• The land swap has to pass a committee, which environmental interests will try to shut down.
• The Texas Parks Department staff has recommended approving the swap, citing increased public recreational opportunities and conservation of sensitive habitats.
• SpaceX still faces challenges due to the location being mostly made up of soggy wetlands.
• The Army Corps of Engineers will need to survey and sign off on construction.
• SpaceX will need to drain the water out of the ground and install structural piles before building the new structure.
• SpaceX has learned from previous experiences and will likely install the deluge system first.
• The tower design has changed with preconstructed sections, making it faster to build.
• SpaceX is working towards expanding their launch area and there will be a lot of construction happening this year.
• The company may expand their village of residences and build a new retail area.

Radio Telescopes On The Moon (4m49s)

• Over 12,000 scientists are petitioning the UN to create legal standards to protect radio frequencies and areas of the moon for astronomical study.
• The petition aims to regulate the use of radio frequency spectrum and some areas of the moon's surface, creating a scientific preserve.
• The policies would be similar to the current legal framework that keeps Antarctica a shared continent.
• Scientists are concerned with setting aside specific wavelengths for lunar studies and protecting historically significant sites like Apollo landing zones.
• Plans include building enormous gravity wave detectors and gigantic infrared and radio telescopes on the moon.
• The moon's lack of atmosphere provides an ideal environment for observatories and gravitational wave detectors, with reduced background noise, heat buildup, and the potential for larger structures.
• An international endeavor would share findings among the scientific community, and private launch providers could assist in setting up the necessary infrastructure.
• The petition aims to establish an Antarctic-style treaty agreement before the moon becomes too crowded.