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SpaceX has gotten quite adept at launching its Falcon ix rocket. In fact, it's becoming commonplace for it to exercise something no one else tin do — land the first stage of that rocket for reuse. SpaceX is not content to just putter around in low-Earth orbit, though. The next big step for SpaceX is to begin flight the Falcon Heavy, a much more than powerful version of the Falcon 9 that's still intended to be reusable. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has appear that the first Falcon Heavy launch is currently on-track for this November.

The Falcon nine is certainly no slouch with a payload capacity for depression-Earth orbit of over 50,000 pounds. Nevertheless, the Falcon Heavy volition most triple that with enough ability to lift 140,000 pounds into orbit. Of course, it's non just about lifting heavier payloads; the Falcon Heavy has plenty power to button SpaceX's range out past the influence of Earth. The company expects information technology to be able to achieve Mars with a payload of nearly 37,000 pounds. It will exist the most powerful rocket since NASA'south Saturn V was designed for the Apollo program.

Before whatsoever of that can happen, SpaceX needs to exam the rocket nether real-world weather. The 230-foot rocket uses many of the same pieces as the Falcon 9, so information technology's actually the same overall acme. The central block of the Falcon Heavy will be a modified Falcon 9 Full Thrust. Two additional Falcon 9 first stages are docked to either side to provide boosted power. While many of the launches envisioned for the Falcon Heavy will make landing the showtime stages impossible, it may exist technically feasible in certain situations.

Musk didn't provide any new details on what will happen when the Falcon Heavy lifts off this Nov, but information technology'due south probable to take identify at the famed launch pad 39A at NASA'south Kennedy Space Eye. That'due south where the Apollo Saturn Five rockets launched from, and SpaceX began using the facility last twelvemonth. Musk has also stated that the Falcon Heavy launch will make utilise of two previously launched and recovered Falcon 9 boosters. The structurally enhanced core for the Falcon Heavy has also been tested on the basis.

Musk has attempted to set expectations low for the launch, noting that there's a lot that could get wrong with the launch. While the Falcon Heavy is made of well-tested Falcon ix parts, it's hard to know how all 27 engines on the vehicle will work together. Even 1 of them misfiring could crusade issues for the launch. Whatever the result, the first Falcon Heavy launch promises to be a good testify.