Spaceport New Orleans – climate change pushback
“Refueling” by Brian Taylor
Spaceport New Orleans
New Orleans exists because of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a port city. Even now, the port creates jobs. it creates support/side industries. There’s no reason that would change in the future. A city with a port infrastructure knows how to support ships of all kinds That includes spaceships.
LOOP
The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port connects oil tankers with the US mainland. Ships too big for the river pump their cargo to the coast, then inland. While the military builds things from scratch, commercial enterprises convert existing operations. They upgrade facilities for new technology. Venture capitalists are all about low expenses. Therefore, extending LOOP to support spaceships fits the pattern.
Port Fouchon is the closest town to LOOP
Port Fouchon is almost due south as the crow flies. Driving requires taking LA1. It’s the same route as to Grand Isle. There are two possible scenarios for developing Port Fouchon into a spaceport.
First, climate change swallows up Southeast Louisiana. Port Fouchon and Grand Isle drown. Build the spaceport over water, access it by new roads, or a new causeway-type bridge.
Since we’re talking SF, I prefer a more hopeful approach. Bring in the raw materials to fight coastal erosion. Build the port over water, but bring solid materials from space. Restore the coastline, at least near the port facility. This is a willing suspension of disbelief that’s acceptable.
Traffic to Spaceport New Orleans
The current Port of New Orleans moves container freight. The intermodal terminal is extensive. Spaceport New Orleans expands this. Present-day containers are anywhere from 20′ to 53′ in length. Railcars carry them from ships to interior terminals. Trucks continue the journey. Connecting rail to Spaceport New Orleans makes sense. Ships moving containers upriver also works. Space-based manufacturing facilities drop their goods at the spaceport. So, they travel to consumers from there.
Third Coast isn’t military
Military spaceports along the coast fit better than along the Gulf Coast. The US Navy leverages existing land and bases. I see MCAS Miramar as a good site for landing boats, dropships, and cargo transports to larger military vessels in orbit. The manufacturing and commercial facilities deliver to the Third Coast, pushing their goods inland from there.
