Falcon Heavy, in a Roar of Thunder, Carries SpaceX’s Ambition Into Orbit
- 6 years ago
Falcon Heavy, in a Roar of Thunder, Carries SpaceX’s Ambition Into Orbit
For now, the Heavy will enable SpaceX to compete for contracts to launch larger spy satellites, and some experts in spaceflight are encouraging NASA to use private rockets like the Heavy instead of the gigantic and more expensive rocket, the Space Launch System,
that is currently being developed in part to take astronauts back to the moon.
The launch of this turbocharged version of the workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, which has been carrying cargo to space for years, marks an important milestone
in spaceflight, the first time a rocket this powerful has been sent into space by a private company rather than a government space agency.
SpaceX could launch the Falcon Heavy rocket
NASA could launch the TESS spacecraft
The success of this launch gives SpaceX momentum to begin developing even larger
rockets, which could help fulfill Elon Musk’s dream of sending people to Mars.
SpaceX lists a price of $90 million for a Falcon Heavy flight, compared with $62 million for one by Falcon 9, a bargain in the context of spaceflight.
For now, the Heavy will enable SpaceX to compete for contracts to launch larger spy satellites, and some experts in spaceflight are encouraging NASA to use private rockets like the Heavy instead of the gigantic and more expensive rocket, the Space Launch System,
that is currently being developed in part to take astronauts back to the moon.
The launch of this turbocharged version of the workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, which has been carrying cargo to space for years, marks an important milestone
in spaceflight, the first time a rocket this powerful has been sent into space by a private company rather than a government space agency.
SpaceX could launch the Falcon Heavy rocket
NASA could launch the TESS spacecraft
The success of this launch gives SpaceX momentum to begin developing even larger
rockets, which could help fulfill Elon Musk’s dream of sending people to Mars.
SpaceX lists a price of $90 million for a Falcon Heavy flight, compared with $62 million for one by Falcon 9, a bargain in the context of spaceflight.