Falcon Heavy countdown
Written by Goro, February 5, 2018
UPDATE (Feb 6): Falcon Heavy’s launch time has been pushed back to 3:45 PM EST (2045 GMT) due to upper level winds. Since launch window will close at 4 PM EST (2100 GMT), very possible today’s launch will be scrubbed. [end update]
It’s almost time! SpaceX is set to launch the Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday February 6th 1:30 pm EST/US (1830 GMT) from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
SpaceX just released a new animation (simulation) video which should get you properly pumped for the epic mission.
Symbolically it is designed to be a “Stargate” event, with the red Roadster payload representing the DeLorean time machine from Back To the Future. Read all about it in my January 5 article… This is Heavy.
[Read: This Is Heavy]
Even without the symbolism this launch (and landing!) is a big deal:
Feb 05 Falcon Heavy’s Debut Flight Tomorrow Hailed as a ‘Changing Moment’ in Spaceflight
The powerful Heavy is a potentially transformational vehicle, spaceflight experts say, so its maiden flight will be watched carefully and eagerly by many sets of eyes.
“It’s a tremendous, monumental milestone for SpaceX and the commercial industry”. […]
Feb 05 SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch – what to expect
The time has finally come for SpaceX to launch its Falcon Heavy rocket. […] It’s a mission that many have been waiting for since 2011 when SpaceX CEO Elon Musk first announced plans to develop the vehicle. Now, after seven years and numerous delays, the launch of the rocket is imminent — and it could be a game-changer for SpaceX.
Here are all the details you need to know about this launch and why it’s such a big deal for both SpaceX and the industry. […]
We just learned today (February 5) about the “Starman” driver in the Roadster:
Feb 05 Elon Musk Unveils ‘Starman’ in Tesla Roadster Launching on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket
One day before SpaceX’s new Falcon Heavy rocket is slated to blast off on its maiden voyage with a Tesla Roadster on board, Elon Musk has revealed that the electric sports car may have a passenger.
In a series of Instagram photos captioned “Starman in a Red Roadster,” Musk debuted a dummy wearing an official SpaceX spacesuit, buckled up and apparently ready to blast off on a mission to Mars. […]
Now everything is ready. T minus 1 day…
If successful, it will be epic. In particular, a synchronized double rocket landing!
If the Falcon Heavy explodes, it will be epic as well.
It’s gonna be epic either way. The only thing SpaceX really wants to avoid is an explosion at the launch pad as that would push back the Falcon Heavy development timeline by up to a year.
So let’s just hope the rocket clears the launching pad and after that… popcorn time!
