SpaceX gears up for first Falcon Heavy flight
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The competition heats up: SpaceX has already begun construction of one of the booster cores for its first test flight of Falcon Heavy, and expects to have all built by summer.
They have not yet decided on the payload or goal of that first test flight, though they appear to still be aiming for an November launch.
Meanwhile, they have a 1:21 am (eastern) Falcon 9 commercial launch tonight, in which they will also attempt another first stage barge landing.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
The competition heats up: SpaceX has already begun construction of one of the booster cores for its first test flight of Falcon Heavy, and expects to have all built by summer.
They have not yet decided on the payload or goal of that first test flight, though they appear to still be aiming for an November launch.
Meanwhile, they have a 1:21 am (eastern) Falcon 9 commercial launch tonight, in which they will also attempt another first stage barge landing.
Should be cool to watch them try and land all 3 cores. They could do a video with that tiled Brady Bunch effect.
The video embedded in the second link is excellent.
First, there is a sound that I suspect corresponds with shipboard thrusters that help to stabilize the pitch and roll of the barge.
As the rocket touches down, we see the Falcon 9 skid on the deck as sideways momentum is dissipated.
The sound that I believe corresponds with the thrusters is absent after the engine shuts down, and the barge resumes the pitch and roll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDK5TF2BOhQ
Wodun,
The animation in this video may be what you are hoping for:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ca6x4QbpoM
Seems to be some confusion as to whether the F9 launch is Thurs or Fri.
I think it’s Friday.