SpaceX Falcon Heavy (updates & maiden flight)

[Blue-Vision]

2 hours ago, SALSN said:

All these impressive numbers are before any Raptor implementation, correct? Whit a Raptor second stage, this is going to be even crazier! (Perhaps that is what all the static is Unobscured Vision's posts are about? but as far as I know that is not really a secret?)

Everybody's already known about a likely implementation of Raptor on the second stage for a while now. The stuff in [static] and [elsewhere] are ... spoilers.  Stuff that can't be disclosed yet, but can be teased. Elon will drop the mic when he's ready to, Soon (TM).  

[SALSN]

1 hour ago, Unobscured Vision said:

Everybody's already known about a likely implementation of Raptor on the second stage for a while now. The stuff in [static] and [elsewhere] are ... spoilers.  Stuff that can't be disclosed yet, but can be teased. Elon will drop the mic when he's ready to, Soon (TM).  

That is what I thought. But now I'm even more curious to find out what the next reveal is about, I thought they had pretty much dialled the F9 system in by now, and thus also the F9 which is of course largely based on the F9.

[DocM]

The center core is already massively overbuilt; a whole different core version. Also a new Interstage, S2 upgrades include reinforcements, mods for a much longer coast (direct geostationary insertions for DoD) etc. This bird will be a bad ass mo-fo without a Raptor S2. 

 

Don't be surprised if the new, larger, forged titanium grid fins look a bit like those on ITS.

[DocM]

Falcon Heavy side core on the big test stand at McGregor. 

[Blue-Vision]

And so it begins.  

[DocM]

And the boosters will be reflown cores, so reusability pays off often and early.

 

A successful Falcon Heavy maiden flight with 3 recoverd cores, 2 reused, would be a flipping earthquake in the launch industry.

[DocM]

Chris Bergin at NSF just posted an image of a soon to be re-flown Falcon Heavy booster core on the test stand at McGregor. Sounding like it's Core 1023 - Thaicom-8.  Now 1023-2.

 

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42705.msg1665165#new

 

ConeHeads Rule!!l

[DocM]

 

[DocM]

Yeah, BABY!!

 

 

 

[DocM]

IT'S ALIVE!!!!

 

 

 

[Blue-Vision]

 Ladies and Gentlemen, Serial# 0033.1 in the Rehearsal Room.  

[DocM]

 

[anthdci]

will there be a static fire of all three boosters together, or will they do them individually then launch?

[DocM]

They've already tested all 3 cores separately. 

 

They have a few items to add to the launch mount, including 4 more hold-downs and plumbing, before they can mount Falcon Heavy.  They also have to mount the Commercial Crew crew arm & white room. Can't do those until LC-40 is back in operation, which should be August-ish. Should take about 6 weeks.

 

The first integrated burn with 27 engines will be a wet dress rehearsal and static fire on LC-39A this fall.

Edited May 25, 2017 by DocM

[FloatingFatMan]

12 hours ago, DocM said:

The first integrated burn with 27 engines will be a wet dress rehearsal and static fire on LC-39A this fall.

I hope everyone within 10 miles or so has ear plugs!

 

[anthdci]

with all the delays, is the plan still to do a demo flight with a representative blank payload, or is someone going to risk a satellite and go for it?

[DocM]

SpaceX says a mass simulator of some kind, but pulling a rabbit out their hat at the last minute wouldn't be a surprise. 

[+John. Subscriber¹]

10 hours ago, DocM said:

SpaceX says a mass simulator of some kind, but pulling a rabbit out their hat at the last minute wouldn't be a surprise. 

or a wheel of cheese

[DocM]

Or, send something looking for green cheese 

[DocM]

Yeeessssss!!!

 

 

[Blue-Vision]

Aww yeah!  Can't wait.

[DocM]

BIG BIRD INCOMING!!

 

FH booster core 1023.2 (Thaicom-8) heading to KSC to meet up with 1033, the FH #1 center core. FH booster core 1025.2 (CRS-9) mods are being finished up before heading to McGregor for firing.

 

The FH #1 S2 "Frankenstage" is next. The Frankenstage is modded for the S2 recovery experiment on FH #1.

 

All photos taken at Imgur....

 

[DocM]

The 3rd core is to the left.

[Blue-Vision]

Haha ... first thing I thought of when I saw that was ... 

 

[anthdci]

2 hours ago, DocM said:

Looks like all three Falcon Heavy boosters are having a meet and greet in the 39A HIF!