Falcon Heavy – SpaceX
Recently, SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy rocket into geosynchronous Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
This is the fourth launch of the massive rocket system and the first in nearly three years since its last launch in 2019.
Current mission:
- This rocket will carry satellites of the US Army into space for a mission called American Space Force (USSF)-44.
- The mission deployed two spacecraft payloads, the first of which is the TETRA 1 microsatellite, designed for various prototype missions in and around geosynchronous Earth orbit.
- The second payload is for national defense purposes. It will set up satellites for the innovation and prototyping of Space Systems Command.
Falcon Heavy Rocket:
- The Falcon Heavy rocket, developed by SpaceX, is currently the world’s most powerful operational rocket.
- With a capacity to place a payload of approximately 64 metric tons into orbit, the Falcon Heavy can carry more than twice the payload of the Delta-IV Heavy, the next closest operational vehicle.
- According to SpaceX, the rocket can carry into orbit the equivalent of a fully loaded 737 jetliner with passengers, luggage and fuel. This rocket uses three boosters for its powered liftoff – one in the center and two for the first stage of takeoff.
- The Falcon Heavy is equipped with 12 hypersonic grid fins (four on each booster, located at the base of the inter-stage or nosecone), which orient by shifting the center of pressure during re-entry.
- The Falcon Heavy rocket has 27 Merlin engines, which together generate more than five million pounds of force at liftoff, roughly the equivalent of 18 Boeing-747 aircraft.
- The Merlin engine is developed by SpaceX for use on the Falcon-1, Falcon-9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. The Merlin engine uses RP1 and liquid oxygen as rocket propellant in the gas-generator power cycle. The Merlin engine was originally designed for recovery and reuse.
Source – The Hindu
