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Ho-ly-crap!! The biggest, baddest operatiinal launcher since Saturn V.
53 metric tons to orbit vs the original 32 metric tons! This is 2x the cargo capability of the Space Shuttle and qualifies it as a Super-Heavy launch vehicle. Musk said FH should lower the launch cost of cargo to about $1,000/pound, about 10% of the cost/pound of the Shuttle.
That's due to a new version of Merlin-1.
3.8 million lb/ft of thrust, equal to 15 full-throttle 747's.
2 launch manned lunar missions, 4 launch manned Mars missions possible.
Jeeezzzz....
From another release -
53 metric tons to orbit vs the original 32 metric tons! This is 2x the cargo capability of the Space Shuttle and qualifies it as a Super-Heavy launch vehicle. Musk said FH should lower the launch cost of cargo to about $1,000/pound, about 10% of the cost/pound of the Shuttle.
That's due to a new version of Merlin-1.
3.8 million lb/ft of thrust, equal to 15 full-throttle 747's.
2 launch manned lunar missions, 4 launch manned Mars missions possible.
Jeeezzzz....
Falcon Heavy’s first stage will be made up of three nine-engine cores, which are used as the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. It will be powered by SpaceX’s upgraded Merlin engines currently being tested at the SpaceX rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. SpaceX has already designed the Falcon 9 first stage to support the additional loads of this configuration, and with common structures and engines for both Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, development and operation of the Falcon Heavy will be highly cost-effective.
FALCON HEAVY
Mass to LEO (200 km, 28.5 deg): 53,000 kg (117,000 lb)
Overall Length: 69.2 m (227 ft)
Width (body): 3.6 m (12 ft) x 11.6 m (38 ft)
Width (fairing): 5.2 m (17 ft)
Mass on liftoff: 1,400,000 kg (3,100,000 lb)
Thrust on liftoff: 17 MN (3,800,000 lbf)
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FALCON HEAVY
Mass to LEO (200 km, 28.5 deg): 53,000 kg (117,000 lb)
Overall Length: 69.2 m (227 ft)
Width (body): 3.6 m (12 ft) x 11.6 m (38 ft)
Width (fairing): 5.2 m (17 ft)
Mass on liftoff: 1,400,000 kg (3,100,000 lb)
Thrust on liftoff: 17 MN (3,800,000 lbf)
>
Falcon Heavy will be the first rocket in history to do propellant cross-feed from the side boosters to the center core, thus leaving the center core with most of its propellant after the side boosters separate. The net effect is that Falcon Heavy achieves performance comparable to a three stage rocket, even though only the upper stage is airlit, further improving both payload performance and reliability. Crossfeed is not required for missions below 100,000 lbs, and can be turned off if desired.
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