Space Coast launch life isn’t just about rockets and space – in fact, for the past few days, our focus has been fixed on the water.
Yesterday, on a bright sunny Florida winter day, the SpaceX drone ship Just Read The Instructions (JRTI) was brought into Port Canaveral to join sister ship Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) for the first time since their shipyard days 4+ years ago.
(Featured Image by @baserunner0723.)
Since their acquisition by SpaceX, these ships have been supporting first-stage landings at sea on opposite sides of the United States – OCISLY on the east coast, JRTI on the west coast. Recently, however, the frequency of west coast launches from Vandenberg AFB has waned, while the cadence on the east coast has increased, due in part to SpaceX’s launches of satellites for their Starlink constellation. Presumably, this is the reason for moving JRTI to Port Canaveral.
For some months, JRTI had been undergoing repairs and/or upgrades in Louisiana – until the day when sharp-eyed onlookers reported that the drone ship was no longer there:
Diligent ship trackers soon confirmed that the tug Alice C was towing JRTI toward Port Canaveral, and anticipation grew as we awaited their arrival.
By Monday, it was confirmed that Alice C and JRTI were sitting outside the entrance to Port Canaveral. Naturally, the usual Space Coast crew headed to Port – to wait, and hypothesize, and take lots of pictures.
Savvy onlookers like Julia quickly deduced that SpaceX’s two fairing-catcher boats, Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief, would have to relocate to make room for JRTI.
In order to berth JRTI, a dock wedge needed to be installed – essentially, a bumper, to allow the ship to be moored without scraping anything.
While this work was done, Alice C and JRTI waited patiently outside Port Canaveral. Their proximity inspired new speculation, as to what else (besides the dock wedge) they might be bringing.
Meanwhile, the booster from CRS-19 – remember the booster? ‘cuz there was a booster – serenely waited for its ride to arrive.
Alas, the day’s work could not be completed before the arrival of several scheduled cruise ships (you know, those big fancy boats that don’t haul rockets) and so the ship stalkers had to take their leave of Port Canaveral, and await the next morning – a day which would be free of such issues.
Tuesday dawned bright and sunny, as the ship-stalkers once again assembled in Port Canaveral to keep watch for JRTI:
Heck, I even made it down there myself for awhile!
Logistics and maneuvering proceeded apace, as workers made room for all their kids at the dock.
Finally, at around 2:30 pm, it happened: JRTI and company made their way into the port!
Upon entry into the Port, onlookers were finally able to catch a glimpse of that cargo JRTI was carrying: among other things, six thrusters, to help JRTI (or perhaps OCISLY) with their booster-catching shenanigans.
I bet you wish you could’ve been there, huh? Fortunately, Julia was gracious enough to stream the arrival, and so you can relive those moments from the comfort of your easy chair, and without having to spend two days in the sun to do it:
Whether it’s at the space port, or the ship port, or out on the beaches, launch life on the Space Coast is always an adventure!
