A static fire test (a unique SpaceX methodology) has been accomplished for the upcoming Falcon Heavy mission (launch of Arabsat-6A is now scheduled to take place on April 9th). How heavy is the load in this case? Nearly 13,250 pounds, or about as much as a fully-loaded 27′ Winnebago.
From NASA Spaceflight . com:
Over a year after its previous flight, SpaceX has conducted the Static Fire test on its second Falcon Heavy. This rocket – the first Block 5 Falcon Heavy – will launch Arabsat 6A to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) from LC-39A. The static fire is now planned for Friday with the six hour window opening at 10 am local time. The launch date target is now set for April 9.
Unlike that of the first Falcon Heavy, this rocket’s pre-launch schedule has been much smoother despite some small slips to the right on the schedule. While the first rocket had several Wet Dress Rehearsals (WDRs) – involving fueling the tanks and readying the rocket, but not igniting the engines – this rocket has only its since-conducted static fire planned.
2 replies on “Falcon Heavy Static-fired”
Yeeeeeahhh! And that’s for the successful test-fire. (Though I admit, I’m also happy the launch no longer overlaps with my anniversary date. I can give both my full and undivided attention, as it ought to be.)
I don’t yet see a time announced for the new April 9th launch date. Guess we’ll have to stay tuned for that. (I usually keep track via a combination of @SpaceX’s Twitter feed and the handy “SpaceXNow” app I keep on my iPhone. The unofficial @SpaceXFleet feed is also informative and fun to track.)
I suspect it will slide. They don’t want to lose this one, and only they know what problems they had launching the Tesla.