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.
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The static test fire of the Falcon Heavy, already delayed several times in recent days, has now been delayed due to the U.S. government shutdown:
SpaceX will be unable to test fire its three-core Falcon Heavy rocket at Kennedy Space Center due to the government shutdown, further delaying checkout operations ahead of the rocket's demonstration flight, the 45th Space Wing said Sunday.
"Due to the shutdown removing key members of the civilian workforce, the 45th Space Wing will not be able to support commercial static fires taking place on KSC," the Wing said, further noting that launch operations at KSC and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are also on hold until the shutdown is resolved.
SpaceX teams have fueled the 230-foot-tall Falcon Heavy rocket at pad 39A at least twice ahead of the static test fire, which is essentially a test before the test – engineers will examine data from the 12-second firing of the rocket's 27 Merlin main engines before giving the all clear to launch on its premiere mission.
General article about Falcon Heavy.
Previously: SpaceX to Attempt Landing Three Falcon Heavy Boosters on Pads
Elon Musk Says Successful Maiden Flight for Falcon Heavy Unlikely
Falcon Heavy Prepares for Debut Flight as Musk Urges Caution on Expectations
SpaceX Successfully Tests Falcon Heavy First Stage Cores
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket Sets Up at Cape Canaveral Ahead of Launch
Falcon Heavy Readied for Static Fire Test
U.S. Government Shutdown Starting on January 20, 2018
(Score: 2) by mhajicek on Friday January 13 2017, @05:04AM
I've heard of ipads being used as plates before, but this is amazing!
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 3, Informative) by ese002 on Friday January 13 2017, @06:08AM
Not three Falcon Heavies. The phrasing is awkward but there is only one launch.
The Falcon Heavy first stage consists of three Falcon 9's strapped together. They need three landing pads to recover them all. This makes a lot more sense then launching Falcon Heavies in such rapid succession that there isn't time to clear the landing pad from the last launch before it is needed again by the next launch.
(Score: 2) by richtopia on Friday January 13 2017, @05:32PM
It is obvious from a picture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy [wikipedia.org]
FYI I have tested this design in Kerbal Space Program. Strapping on more boosters does indeed increase lift capacity. Now SpaceX needs to figure out how to transfer fuel/ox between tanks super fast with a small pipe for even more lifting capacity: http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/FTX-2_External_Fuel_Duct [kerbalspaceprogram.com]
(Score: 3, Informative) by ese002 on Friday January 13 2017, @06:48PM
Now SpaceX needs to figure out how to transfer fuel/ox between tanks super fast with a small pipe for even more lifting capacity
Falcon Heavy was originally intended to cross feed fuel and oxidizer between the three first stage boosters. However, the facility was canceled [wikipedia.org], officially because the additional performance was not necessary.
(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).
(Score: 2) by wonkey_monkey on Friday January 13 2017, @12:08PM
nearly simultaneously
Only nearly simultaneously? Lame.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 2) by takyon on Friday January 13 2017, @02:26PM
Last time I checked, rcoket boosters don't fall to the ground all at the same time. Re-calibrate your pedantry.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday January 13 2017, @06:12PM
The two external ones have little reason not to fall back at the exact same time. The more different they make them, the more complicated the flight gets.
Maybe delay one by a few seconds to help avoid collisions, but beyond that, symmetry is key.
Crossing fingers that there's no bug in their upgraded guidance system. One booster coming back hot from space, with enough fuel to land, is scary enough if you're nearby, but three?
I know it's only Florida, but imagine if your neighborhood is where they come down by mistake... The full Fallujah experience in your living room!