SpaceX Falcon Heavy

[Zathrus~SPARTA~]

For any of you who are going to be in Florida in the next couple of weeks... or who live there.

 

 

Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk Jan 27

Aiming for first flight of Falcon Heavy on Feb 6 from Apollo launchpad 39A at Cape Kennedy. Easy viewing from the public causeway.

 

[Cylawyer~SPARTA~]

They could have picked a better day for that. I will likely be tied up. What time is launch time?

[Zathrus~SPARTA~]

I will try to post that when it is determined... so far no word on actual time. If it is in the evening the heavy should produce a pretty good light show... if it gets off the launch pad.

 

I remember my Father telling me when a Saturn V rocket would lift off, he was at a launch and was I think 15 miles away yet the roar of those engines rattled his chest, shook the cars parked behind them, etc.

While the Falcon Heavy is about half the thrust & mass at takeoff, it is still the largest rocket launched since the last Saturn V launched in 1973.

 

Saturn V = total mass of 6,540,000 lb (2,970,000 kg) with thrust at lift off of 7,891,000 lbf (35,100 kN)

Falcon Heavy = total mass of 3,132,301 lb (1,420,788 kg) with thrust at liftoff of 3,420,000 lb_f 15,214 kN)

 

IF Musk can get the BFR project going, that is estimated to have 11,800,000 lbf of thrust at lift off... that sucker is going to rattle things.

Edited January 29, 2018 by Zathrus~SPARTA~

[custard~SPARTA~]

Not sure Musk does 'IF'

 

What a fascinating time to be alive

[Zathrus~SPARTA~]

Ok... here we go:

Next Launch : Feb 06, 2018 01:30 PM | Rocket Launch: February 6, 2018 1:30 PM | SpaceX Falcon Heavy Inaugural Flight

They have also confirmed that if it makes it up, they will be trying to land and recover all three first stages... going to be interesting.

[Cent~SPARTA~]

1.30PM US east cost time.

 

all 3 boosters landing has always been the plan - the 2 side booster will return to KSC and the center core will land on the OCISLU drone ship in the Atlantic.

 

They are still actively looking to eventually return the upper stage on future missions too.

[Zathrus~SPARTA~]

Yes but I think he is leaning more toward putting massive resources into developing the BFR .. I thought at this point they were only looking to returning the second stage faring for the Falcon's?

[Zathrus~SPARTA~]

If anyone missed the Falcon Heavy flight the video below is the launch and landings (booster landing phase begins at approx. 8:30 in time line)

 

 

I have to say I have always found them landing the first stage very impressive..... seeing two of them come down side by side and landing successfully is amazing looking.

 

But I think the best video is of Musk's reaction to the successful takeoff. I understand his relief, when you have designed or participated in the construction of something like

the Falcon Heavy, you know all the things that can go wrong.... and it is a very long list of things that can spell doom to the vehicle. When everything goes correctly, and nothing

fails it is a HUGE relief because as an engineer you know all the things that may not go correctly.

 

Edited February 22, 2018 by Zathrus~SPARTA~

[Athlon64~SPARTA~]

We really know what starman is up to LOL!!

 

Edited February 25, 2018 by Athlon64~SPARTA~

[Zathrus~SPARTA~]

hahahaha.... the second vid is well done

 

I am pretty sure that would be the reaction of any space traveler who found a car with an apparent driver belted into the drivers seat floating through space.