Falcon Heavy: ArabSat-6A mission [STATIC FIRE, new launch date]

[Dr Mordrid]

Falcon Heavy #2

The first Falcon Heavy Block 5 - enhanced re-use, greater performance, etc.

Falcon Heavy is now being considered for EM-1, the first NASA Orion launch around the Moon, due to Space Launch System (SLS) delays.

It'll also be competing to launch some Lunar Gateway lunar space station's modules, also because of SLS delays.

Launch date: NET April 7
Launch time: 1836 Eastern (2236 UT)
Pad: LC-39A,
Stage landings: Landing Zone-1, Landing Zone-2, ASDS Of Course I Still Love You

Orbit: GEO (direct injection to geostationary)
Mass: : ~6,000 kg (3,520 kg dry)

USAF is qualifying FH for a the direct to GEO injection of national security satellites.

USAF is also looking to reuse these boosters for FH STP-2 to qualify stage re-use, a very big deal.

[Dr Mordrid]

Center booster: B1055.1
Side boosters: B1052.1 & B1053.1
Recovery: LZ-1, ASDS Of Course I Still Love You

Static Fire: March 31
Launch: April 7
Window: 1836-2035 EDT (2236-0035 UTC)
Sunset: 1944 EDT

[Dr Mordrid]

Falcon Heavy ArabSat 6A

Chris G - NSF @ChrisG_NSF
The #FalconHeavy static fire has officially slipped to Wednesday, 3 April. Window is still the same, 12:00 EDT to 20:00 EDT (1600-0000 UTC). #SpaceX #ArabSat6A
Before anyone asks: No, the launch date has not changed.

(@NASA_Nerd) https://t.co/mBzvIAlJCk

[Dr Mordrid]

Titusville Police FL @TitusvillePD
***Launch Reschedule Notification*** Space X Falcon Heavy has been rescheduled to Tuesday April 9th 2019. Launch windows opens at 6:36 PM.

https://twitter.com/titusvillepd/status/1114202911834288129

@spacexfleet
Of Course I Still Love You has arrived at the landing zone ahead of next week's attempted landing of center core B1055.1!

https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1114182063186378752

John Kraus @johnkrausphotos
Static fire!

SpaceXs Falcon Heavy rocket roars to life at LC-39A, undergoing a hold-down firing ahead of the upcoming Arabsat-6A launch. Now we wait for SpaceX to review the data and confirm a launch date for the rockets first commercial mission. (@SpaceX / @elonmusk)
12:05 PM - Apr 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1114197490687987713

[Dr Mordrid]

Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Static fire data looks good so far. This is first launch of Falcon Heavy Block 5, so we’re being extra cautious. Launch date might move.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1114214017684393986

[Dr Mordrid]

The weather gods aren't cooperating: 30%. Moving to Wednesday.

Crowds are still estimated to be >100,000

Titusville Police FL @TitusvillePD
***Launch Reschedule Notification***

Space X Falcon Heavy
has been rescheduled to Wednesday April 10th 2019. Launch windows opens at 6:36 PM (1836 Eastern)

[Dr Mordrid]

[Dr Mordrid]

Martà Montferrer @CdeCiencia
· 36m
Replying to @elonmusk
chances of Falcon Heavy exploding today?
|
Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
First flight for Falcon Heavy Block 5 means there is some risk of failure between 5% to 10% imo. Many good design improvements from Falcon Heavy demo, but the changes are unproven.
11:23 AM - Apr 10, 2019

FH-sonicbooms.jpg

FH ArabSat-6A patch.jpg

[Dr Mordrid]

Launch at 1835 Eastern, webcast about 20 minutes before.