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SpaceX is seeking federal approval to construct two additional landing pads so that it can land three Falcon Heavy first stage boosters on the ground nearly simultaneously:
As part of the process to gain federal approval for the simultaneous landing of its Falcon Heavy rocket boosters in Florida, SpaceX has prepared an environmental assessment of the construction of two additional landing pads alongside its existing site. The report considers noise and other effects from landing up to three first stages at the same time. After undergoing a preliminary review by the US Air Force, the document has been released for public comment.
First reported by NASASpaceFlight.com, the document offers some interesting details about the proposed launch and landing of SpaceX's heavy lift rocket, which the company hopes to fly for the first time in the spring or early summer of 2017. After previously demonstrating the ability to land a single Falcon 9 booster, SpaceX also hopes to land the three first-stage boosters that will power the Falcon Heavy for potential re-use.
Improvements in the rockets' landing guidance system will allow the company to repurpose the space used by smaller contingency pads. If the additional landing pads aren't constructed, the company could try landing one or both of the remaining boosters on drone barges instead.
SpaceX's planned return-to-flight of the Falcon 9 has been delayed to Jan 14th due to weather. The company plans to launch 10 satellites for Iridium Communications.
(Score: 2) by ledow on Friday January 13 2017, @11:01AM
Have they got their approval back to launch ANYTHING again yet?
Last I heard, they hadn't.
"Our last one blew up, but don't worry, next time we'll do three at once!".
(Score: 2) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Friday January 13 2017, @05:06PM
Our last one blew up, but don't worry, next time we'll do three at once
because that explosion will be EVEN MORE AWESOME!!!
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday January 13 2017, @05:56PM
Well, that last explosion was only ranked 2 MBs, so they hope that three times more first stages will get them the coveted 3 MBs ranking which guarantees infinite sequels, especially as your vehicle transforms from one to four pieces (and optionally to a million).
I think LEO launches may use all three pads, but for anything higher, they'll probably have to land at least one on the ocean anyway, since bringing it back costs so much fuel (a.k.a. payload capacity).