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.
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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.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
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.
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.
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 .
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
The darn electric car will be swimming in juice. They may need a solar panel to keep the radio playing?
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.
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.
I’m as excited to see this launch as I was for the first shuttle launch in 1981 (I realize that dates me).
Don’t worry about being dated. My father took me to the launch of TIROS I, the first weather satellite. April 1, 1960.
My step-dad saw the Hindenburg catch fire. He was 8 y.o. when his dad brought him from Canada to see the docking.
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.
I think they are leaving the stereo on during launch.
Don’t know what they will be playing.
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.