How long will it take to rebuild Blue Origin’s launch pad? We asked some SpaceX vets.

The closest analog to what Blue Origin is attempting to do concerns the reconstruction of Space Launch Complex-40, which was largely destroyed by the failure of AMOS-6.

According to Muratore, SpaceX was not allowed to begin reconstruction work on the launch pad until January 2017. The delay was due to the ongoing investigation, which included a grid-by-grid examination of the debris, cataloging recovered materials, and remediation of the launch site. Muratore and other SpaceX engineers spent these four months redesigning the launch pad.

Tripp Harris, who managed operations of the Falcon 9 fleet in 2016, said everyone at the company supported the investigation and then rebuilding the SLC-40 pad. The search for the debris continued from immediately after the explosion until early October, when efforts had to be abandoned due to the arrival of powerful Hurricane Matthew.

Meanwhile, SpaceX pulled out all the stops, deploying drones and aircraft with sensitive equipment. “At one point, I got a submersible to take me into the flame trench, where the water was frozen, to see if we could find any rocket debris,” Harris said. “But it was just big pieces of concrete.”

going fast

Launch pads are one of the most complex pieces of infrastructure involved in sending a rocket into space. They require great strength, as evidenced by the need for tall and strong steel launch towers. Large quantities of concrete are then used for the foundation, flame trench and surrounding areas.

Last Thursday, during a test failure, one of Blue Origin’s giant launch towers collapsed, and another was seriously damaged. It appears that the concrete beneath the rocket has also collapsed at some places. From a structural perspective, there is likely to be a considerable amount of work ahead.