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Falcon Heavy on the launchpad

Capitalism in space: SpaceX has finally rolled the first Falcon Heavy rocket out to its launchpad in preparation for at least one static fire engine test prior to is first launch.

SpaceX engineers are expected to conduct a fit check and complete other tests at pad 39A this week, followed by a hold-down firing of all 27 first stage engines some time after New Year’s Day. The company has not set a target date for the Falcon Heavy’s first liftoff, but officials say the launch is targeted in January, some time after the hold-down hotfire test.

Should it launch successfully, the Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful rocket in the world.

Update: They have now lowered the Falcon Heavy to a horizontal position. I suspect that the raising and lowering were both part of the fit check tests, and that they will soon raise the rocket up again.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

16 comments

  • Kirk

    Next scheduled SpaceX launch is Zuma out of CCAFAS SLC-40, 8:00 PM EST, Thursday, 4 January 2018. I’d be surprised if they static fire the FH before Zuma is away, but I could see it happening shortly thereafter.

  • geoffc

    And now it is down. :)

    https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/12/29/time-lapse-video-falcon-heavy-lowered-after-launch-pad-debut/

    That was the fit check. Next up is the Static Fire (as noted by Kirk (KKIIIIRRRRRRKKKK. Oh sorry, KKKKKHHHHHAAAANNNNN) whenever it is, around Zuma.

    Don’t forget that gorgeous Roadster as the payload. Who else on earth, can make such a joke and then go ahead and just do it.

    PS: If you were one of those fellows who bullied Musk when he was a kid in South Africa, you may wish to make sure your name NEVER ever appears in the news. Here you have a guy loony toons enough (Which I LOVE!) to launch a car on a rocket test flight, if you remind him of how much he hates you, what would happen if a landing first stage missed and hit your house? Mistakes happen, computer errors, random chance… So many landings, a mistake or two, crap happens.

  • geoffc: Thanks for the tip. I have updated the post.

  • ken anthony

    Fastest roadster evah! On the FIRST interplanetary rocket (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)

  • Where will they recharge the car’s batteries. The darn electric car is always running out of juice .

  • Alex Andrite

    Awaiting for all of the, and close up, videos of the hold-down hot firing test.
    “Peace through Superior Firepower” takes on an entirely new meaning with these ‘Fires’.

    Awaiting ….

    Alex

  • ken anthony

    The darn electric car will be swimming in juice. They may need a solar panel to keep the radio playing?

  • Michael

    Saw this on another website. It may even be true.

    Launch of FH Test on a Falcon Heavy rocket from KSC, FL launch complex LC-39A
    Launch scheduled for 31 Jan 18 at 0:00 GMT
    Local time 30 Jan 18 at 7:00pm Eastern

  • I’m curious if SpaceX will try and start the car.

  • Localfluff

    This is a demonstration of good marketing. The FH Tesla will quickly become the car that traveled the most miles. Now every candy maker wants to put his chocolate bar up there. 1% of the global advertising market would multiply investments in space flight.

  • mivenho

    I’m as excited to see this launch as I was for the first shuttle launch in 1981 (I realize that dates me).

  • Andi

    Don’t worry about being dated. My father took me to the launch of TIROS I, the first weather satellite. April 1, 1960.

  • ken anthony

    My step-dad saw the Hindenburg catch fire. He was 8 y.o. when his dad brought him from Canada to see the docking.

  • Edward

    Richard asked: “Where will they recharge the car’s batteries

    I suspect that Musk is counting on Newton being in the driver’s seat (as Lovell said in the movie “Apollo 13”), and the car will just keep going and going, like the Energizer Bunny. Except without relying on battery power.

  • pzatchok

    I think they are leaving the stereo on during launch.
    Don’t know what they will be playing.

  • Commodude

    Pzatchok, What else would they be playing but “Space oddity”?

    http://www.ibtimes.com/elon-musk-plans-sending-tesla-roadster-mars-while-playing-david-bowie-2622873

    Love the humor from Space-X.

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