In the 2010s, [[Space Exploration Technologies]] (SpaceX) contracted with a [[Louisiana]] [[shipyard]] to build a floating landing platform for [[reusable launch vehicle|reusable]] [[orbital spaceflight|orbital]] [[launch vehicle]]s. The platform had an approximately {{convert|90|x|50|m|sp=us}} landing pad surface and was capable of precision [[Dynamic positioning|positioning]] with [[Diesel engine|diesel-powered]] [[azimuth thruster]]s<ref name=tm20141122>{{cite web|title=SpaceX Announces Spaceport Barge Positioned by Thrustmaster's Thrusters|url=http://www.thrustmaster.net/spacex-announces-spaceport-barge-positioned-thrustmasters-thrusters/|publisher=Thrustmaster|accessdate=23 November 2014|date=22 November 2014|deadurlurl-status=yesdead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207091326/http://www.thrustmaster.net/out-drive-propulsion-unit/portable-dynamic-positioning-system/|archivedate=7 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> so the platform can hold its position for launch vehicle landing. This platform was first deployed in January 2015<ref name=nsf20141217>{{cite news|last1=Bergin|first1=Chris|title=SpaceX confirms CRS-5 launch slip to 6 January|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/12/spacex-static-fire-falcon-9-crs-5/|accessdate=18 December 2014|work=NASASpaceFlight.com|date=17 December 2014}}</ref> when SpaceX attempted a [[Falcon 9 ocean booster landing tests|controlled descent]] [[flight test]] to land the first stage of [[Falcon 9 Flight 14]] on a solid surface after it was used to loft a contracted payload toward Earth orbit.<ref name=sn20141024>{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=Next Falcon 9 Launch Could See First-stage Platform Landing|url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/42305next-falcon-9-launch-could-see-first-stage-platform-landing|accessdate=25 October 2014|work=Space News|date=25 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=tr20141026>{{cite news|last1=Bullis|first1=Kevin|title=SpaceX Plans to Start Reusing Rockets Next Year|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/news/532066/spacex-plans-to-start-reusing-rockets-next-year/|accessdate=26 October 2014|work=MIT Technology Review|date=25 October 2014}}</ref> The platform utilizes [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] [[Differential GPS|position information]] to navigate and hold its precise position.<ref name=ft20141024>{{cite news|last1=Dean|first1=James|title=SpaceX to attempt Falcon 9 booster landing on floating platform|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2014/10/24/spacex-attempt-falcon-booster-landing-floating-platform/17847817/|accessdate=27 October 2014|date=24 October 2014}}</ref> The rocket [[launch vehicle landing gear|landing leg]] span is {{convert|60|ft|m|disp=flip|abbr=on}} and must not only land within the {{convert|170|ft|m|disp=flip|abbr=on|adj=on}}-wide barge deck, but must also deal with [[Swell (ocean)|ocean swells]] and [[Dilution of precision (GPS)|GPS errors]].
SpaceX CEO [[Elon Musk]] first displayed a photograph of the "[[autonomous spaceport drone ship]]" in November 2014. The ship is designed to hold position to within {{convert|3|m|sp=us}}, even under storm conditions.<ref name=musk20141122>{{cite web|last1=Musk|first1=Elon|title=Autonomous spaceport drone ship|url=https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/536262624653365248|publisher=SpaceX|accessdate=23 November 2014|date=22 November 2014}}</ref>
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===Floating LNG production facility===
The [[Shell floating LNG plant]] was constructed to process and [[cryogen|liquify]] offshore [[List of countries by natural gas production|natural gas]] into [[LNG|liquified natural gas]] for transport and storage.<ref name=shell20110611>{{cite web|url=http://www.shell.com/home/content/media/news_and_media_releases/archive/2010/flng_technology_greater_sunrise_29042010.html |title=Shell floating LNG technology chosen by joint venture for Greater Sunrise project - Shell Worldwide |publisher=Shell.com |accessdate=10 June 2011 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529042931/http://www.shell.com/home/content/media/news_and_media_releases/archive/2010/flng_technology_greater_sunrise_29042010.html |archivedate=29 May 2011 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.shell.com/about-us/major-projects/prelude-flng.html|title=Prelude FLNG|website=www.shell.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> The Shell project was scheduled to begin processing gas in 2016.<ref name=wsj20140619>{{cite news|last1=Kelly|first1=Ross|title=GDF Suez, Santos Halt Innovative LNG Plan in Australia: Companies Say Offshore Conversion Project Not Commercially Viable|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gdf-suez-retreats-from-australian-floating-lng-project-1403167709|accessdate=30 December 2014|work=Wall Street Journal|date=19 June 2014|quote=''The decision highlights the risks confronting Australian gas-export projects as they grapple with high costs and competition from North America and Russia, which are vying to provide Asian utilities with cleaner-burning fuels. Confidence in "floating" liquefied natural gas may also be diminishing—two years before a Royal Dutch Shell PLC-owned vessel is due to begin processing gas for the first time.''}}
</ref> In December 2018, Shell announced that the wells have been opened and the plant was ready to begin the initial phase of production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shell.com.au/about-us/projects-and-locations/prelude-flng/prelude-e-news/prelude-starts-production.html|title=Prelude starts production|website=www.shell.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> In June 2019, it reached a significant milestone, shipping its first liquefied natural gas cargo to customers in Asia.<ref name=":0" />
