SpaceX could save NASA and the future of space exploration, Lori Garver op ed, The Hill “NASA has spent more than $15 billion to try and develop their own heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), with a first flight planned in roughly two years – assuming all goes according to plan. Once operational, SLS will cost NASA over $1 billion per launch. The Falcon Heavy, developed at zero […]
Keith’s note: It worked. SpaceX Falcon Heavy Roars Into Space, SpaceRef “SpaceX Launched its first Falcon Heavy today. All indications are that the flight has been a complete success thus far. More to follow. Pictures below.”
Elon Musk is set to launch his Falcon Heavy rocket, a flamethrower of another sort, Washington Post “It could also play a part in the Trump administration’s plans to return to the moon. Over the weekend, Nick Ayers, Vice President Pence’s chief of staff, tweeted that the rocket would have “major (positive) ramifications for US space industry if this goes according to plan.” SpaceX has said that the Falcon Heavy […]
First static fire test of Falcon Heavy complete–one step closer to first test flight! pic.twitter.com/EZF4JOT8e4 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 24, 2018 Falcon Heavy hold-down firing this morning was good. Generated quite a thunderhead of steam. Launching in a week or so. pic.twitter.com/npaqatbNir — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 24, 2018
SpaceX Releases New Animation of Falcon Heavy and Booster Recovery, SpaceRef Business “SpaceX has released a new animation depicting the launch of a Falcon Heavy from famed Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) with the controlled recovery of both boosters and the first stage.” Marc’s note: From animation to reality in a few years? Yeah, we like that. Why can’t other companies do this?
USAF, SpaceX Close To Agreement On Launch Certification Plan, Aviation Week “Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and the U.S. Air Force are “days away” from agreeing on the details of a certification plan that would enable the private company to compete for national security payload launch contracts with the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.”
