Falcon Heavy First Commercial Launch
SpaceX Falcon Heavy
First Commercial Launch
World’s most powerful rocket currently, is being readied for historically important first ever commercial launch for SpaceX, launch of Arabsat-6A and number of smaller payloads will usher in new age for SpaceX. SpaceX hopes to see off first commercial Falcon Heavy launch on the 10th, however this could be delayed by a day of two, depending on atmospheric conditions and if weather permits.
Although it is not obvious to some, but success of this Falcon Heavy mission could open doors for potential future manned missions for NASA. Due to constant delays with the SLS and most recent directive of getting people to the Moon by 20024, US Space Agency is forced to look at alternatives to SLS which by all accounts won’t be ready for few more years.
It was SpaceX long term strategy to see manned Lunar missions in preparation for more complex and far more dangerous manned mission to Mars. However, Lunar manned mission became doubtful with Falcon Heavy which would require long certification process. But going back to NASA’s 2024 vision, Falcon Heavy became contender for lunar mission again.
Recently NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine suggested that Falcon Heavy could take on the SLS role and deliver first manned mission to the Moon by 2024, this would contemplate a closer workings with United Launch Alliance and integration of ULA and Orion Hardware with the SpaceX own Falcon Heavy rocket.
This plan has the ability to put humans on the Moon by 2024, Bridenstine said. However, William Gerstenmaier, has yet to bless this approach due to a number of technical details. His reservations include the challenge of integrating the Falcon Heavy rocket in a horizontal position and then loading Orion with fuel in a vertical configuration on the launchpad. The Falcon Heavy would also require a larger payload fairing than it normally flies with. This would place uncertain stress on the rocket's side-mounted boosters.
However, if NASA plans to go to the Moon by 2024, it’ll need to figure out best possible combination for the launch, SpaceX can also develop and engineer all the necessary adapters that would allow for integration of Cryogenic Propulsion Stage and Orion spacecraft.
SpaceX first Falcon Heavy commercial launch expected to happen tomorrow night, if successful will demonstrate growing confidence and capability of the company, the logical next step for SpaceX is improving on the existing infrastructure and long awaited demonstration of far more capable Super Heavy and the Starship which are expected to be completed this summer. This year by far is most crucial year for SpaceX, fingers crossed all goes well for them.