Falcon Heavy impact was with security assignments. In June, only somewhat more than four months after the automobile’s debut flight, the U.S. Air Force certified the aircraft to fly its own reconnaissance and communications satellites to orbit. The Air Force also announced it had selected the Falcon Heavy to start its categorized Air Force Space Command-52 satellite after in 2020. The access is offered by the rocket to all of the desirable orbits for its spacecraft.
But in the 14 months since the inaugural flight of the huge rocket, Falcon Heavy has experienced a remarkable effect on the space policy of the nation. In three areas–science national defense, and individual exploration –that the Falcon Heavy rocket has to some extent changed the discussion. As it happens, the requirement was there to get a low-cost, heavy lift booster.
The Falcon Heavy made a rousing debut a bit more than one year ago, starting from Florida and sending a cherry red Tesla Roadster beyond the orbit of Mars. At the time, no one was fairly sure how SpaceX would market the planet’s most powerful rocket, that did not seem to fit especially well into any niche, especially after the company’s own Falcon 9 rocket saw significant performance increases.
Expand / The three cores of the Falcon Heavy are mated in SpaceX processing facilities in Florida. (charge: SpaceX)
