Midway to Space

 SpaceX Starship Third Launch! Closer Than You Think

Felix, at his WAI YouTube channel, discusses the possible expansions of StarBase Texas to accommodate more launches of Starship. Considering the opposition that a few launches a year stir up, I wonder if an increased capacity will be needed -- not when the intended future pace is a dozen (or several) a day. These ships will carry 200 tons of cargo into Low Earth Orbit and then return for relaunch (with some return cargo once space manufacturing is up and running). Hearing the accompanying Kabooms might upset the neighbors (not to mention the risks of a mishap).  

So here is a modest proposal: establish a spaceport at Midway Island in the Pacific. It's midway between the Americas and Asia and could be a great future location for a Space Manufacturing hop-hub, with all the accompanying ups and downs.

The island (part of the Hawaiian Island chain) is small -- though it was the center of a decisive WWII naval battle that carries its name.  However, it is surrounded by US territorial waters where "Oil Platform" style launch pads could be located. Converted container ships could provide areas for workshops. LNG-style tankers could store fuel. A cruise liner could house the workforce. Much of the ground-level work can be done from Hawaii and the families of launch crews could live there while the working partners return for breaks.

The Island is isolated, so the high pace of launching and catching rockets won't disturb voters. Of course, it's now a wilderness area so some care would be required not to disturb the fish. Congress should establish a legal framework to allow private companies and competing launchers to operate from the Midway Spaceport transparently. A regulated, but privately owned, Spaceport Authority could be established and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.