SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy from Launchpad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Feb 6.
Elon Musk had played down expectations by giving the launch a 50/50 chance of success. Once the Falcon Heavy cleared the tower, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and the rest, as they say, is history. The Falcon Heavy successfully completed its climb into orbit, the two side boosters were released, both then re-entered the atmosphere and made an incredible dual landing. Probably the coolest payload to ever reach space, Elon Musk’s Roadster, was launched into orbit while David Bowie’s, Space Oddity, played ever so fittingly, to the world below.
The only thing that did not go according to plan, was the failure of the center core during touchdown. Apparently there was not enough fuel to complete a safe landing, causing the center core to miss the drone ship and crash into the ocean. According to Elon Musk, SpaceX will provide the crash footage as a blooper reel.
This was a history making moment for space exploration in terms of raw inspiration, cost savings and capability. The Falcon Heavy is significantly less expensive than its nearest competitor, yet can handle twice the payload capacity.
Image – SpaceX