SpaceX prepares for Falcon Heavy's first flight since 2019 with static firing test
SpaceX is on track to launch the Falcon Heavy for the first time in three years after successfully putting the heavy launcher through a static firing test. The private space company announced the successful test on Twitter, along with a photo of the rocket as it belched fire and smoke while perched on Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in the Nasa. During a static firing test, a rocket's engines are ignited to check their performance while remaining on the ground.
The company performed this particular test in preparation for USSF-44, the classified mission that SpaceX is flying for the US Space Force. USSF-44 will have two payloads, both satellites, which will be deployed in geostationary orbit. It was originally scheduled to lift off on October 31, but SpaceX is currently targeting a November 1 launch. The company has yet to reveal a launch time today, but according to Space and Next Spaceflight, it will happen around 9:40 a.m. . HE.
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket first took to the skies in 2018, carrying a cherry-red Tesla Roadster owned by business leader Elon Musk with a dummy nicknamed "Starman" in the driver's seat. The last time it flew was in June 2019, and SpaceX described it at the time as one of the "most difficult" launches in its history - the landing of the central core was proved too tricky for him to have missed the waiting drone by a few feet. . It has since been certified to carry secret Space Force spy satellites into orbit, and the first of those missions could be in days.
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SpaceX is on track to launch the Falcon Heavy for the first time in three years after successfully putting the heavy launcher through a static firing test. The private space company announced the successful test on Twitter, along with a photo of the rocket as it belched fire and smoke while perched on Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in the Nasa. During a static firing test, a rocket's engines are ignited to check their performance while remaining on the ground.
The company performed this particular test in preparation for USSF-44, the classified mission that SpaceX is flying for the US Space Force. USSF-44 will have two payloads, both satellites, which will be deployed in geostationary orbit. It was originally scheduled to lift off on October 31, but SpaceX is currently targeting a November 1 launch. The company has yet to reveal a launch time today, but according to Space and Next Spaceflight, it will happen around 9:40 a.m. . HE.
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket first took to the skies in 2018, carrying a cherry-red Tesla Roadster owned by business leader Elon Musk with a dummy nicknamed "Starman" in the driver's seat. The last time it flew was in June 2019, and SpaceX described it at the time as one of the "most difficult" launches in its history - the landing of the central core was proved too tricky for him to have missed the waiting drone by a few feet. . It has since been certified to carry secret Space Force spy satellites into orbit, and the first of those missions could be in days.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
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