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SpaceX unveiled plans for the massive Falcon Heavy (previously known as the Falcon 9 Heavy) in 2011 subsequently completing several successful launches of the Falcon 9. The rocket has been inching closer to completion ever since, and now SpaceX has successfully tested the Falcon heavy's core rocket module in a so-called static fire exam. The exam took place at the visitor's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas last week.

The Falcon Heavy will essentially be three Falcon 9 rockets strapped together. The core rocket is where virtually of the changes have been implemented, and that's what was just tested. Additional structural supports and internal optimizations were needed to back up the mass of 2 additional boosters linked to the sides. Still, information technology's mostly the aforementioned as current F9 boosters with identical engines and fuel tanks. The side boosters are expected to be nearly identical to the current Falcon 9. Different the Falcon 9, SpaceX does non know if it will be able to reuse all Falcon Heavy components, but Musk says they're going to requite it a shot. The two lower booster cores should be able to land like a regular Falcon 9. However, the upper stage might not exist feasible to land.

The core stage was fired while tethered to the basis in order to confirm none of the modifications would interfere with the expected engine operation. The test was a success, and so the adjacent major pace is to gather all iii boosters and prepare for the outset launch. That'due south coming sooner than you think, and several SpaceX customers are already on the books for future Falcon Heavy launches.

The added thrust of iii rockets will allow SpaceX to get payloads into low-World orbit as big equally 140,700 pounds. The regular Falcon nine is but capable of almost 50,000 pounds to low-Earth orbit. Launching to geostationary orbit (GEO) requires much more than free energy, though. The Falcon 9 SpaceX is currently flying is able to take smaller payloads up to GEO, only the Falcon Heavy will be able to wrestle several times more mass up there.

The Falcon Heavy's real purpose is to push commercial spaceflight beyond Globe orbit. It was designed from the starting time to exist able to ship payloads all the way to the Moon and Mars. In fact, both those missions are currently on the agenda for SpaceX's Falcon Heavy. A examination launch is currently scheduled for later this summer. Several months later on, a collection of DoD satellites will be sent up. SpaceX also plans to employ the Falcon Heavy to launch its mysterious moon orbit mission in tardily 2018 with ii unnamed private citizens who have paid amply for the trip.

Updated six/iii/17 to clarify Falcon Heavy reusability.