SpaceX Conducts Test Fire of Falcon Heavy, Offers Details on Launch Date

SpaceX conducted today an important final test fire of the 27 engines powering the Falcon Heavy. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the assessment of the engines was “good” and launch of the rocket is expected in “a week or so.”

Originally slated to launch in 2013, the Falcon Heavy has faced numerous delays, but it seems as close as ever to taking flight. SpaceX says the rocket will have 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff – equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft at full power – making Falcon Heavy the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two.

SpaceX shared a video of the test fire on Twitter saying the company is “one step closer to a test flight.”

The 230 ft. rocket is set to take off from launch site LC-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Musk also shared a tweet from Robin Seemangal that showed the massive cloud plume and thunderous sound created by the test.

Musk has acknowledged the complexity of engineering the Falcon Heavy and challenge in ultimately seeing it reach its desired orbit. He’s talked about the possibility it could “blow up.” Still, he’s using his personal Tesla Roadster as the payload on the maiden voyage.

 

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