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Brevard County, Florida LAUNCH ping.Let me know if you want on or off this low volume ping list.
(not associated with the county government)
Posted on 01/27/2018 8:25:15 PM PST by BenLurkin
The announcement came three days after the rocket completed a static-fire test at Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, a final test milestone before the launch itself. Musk said the test was “good” shortly after the test, but neither he nor the company provided additional details.
...
In his comments after the static-fire test, Musk said the launch would take place “in a week or so.” A Feb. 6 launch, though, would give SpaceX time to prepare after its next Falcon 9 mission, of the GovSat-1 communications satellite, scheduled for Jan. 30 from nearby Space Launch Complex 40.
As a test launch without an operational payload, SpaceX has flexibility to use a longer launch window. The test flight is carrying a Tesla Roadster sports car, which Musk said in December would be sent into a heliocentric orbit that would take it past Mars.
Given the nature of the launch as a test, Musk has tried setting expectations accordingly. “There’s a real good chance that vehicle does not make it to orbit. I want to make sure and set expectations accordingly,” he said in July during an on-stage interview at the International Space Station Research and Development Conference here. “I encourage people to come down to the Cape to see the first Falcon Heavy mission. It’s guaranteed to be exciting.”
While a launch date has been set, the company still faces a regulatory obstacle ahead of the launch. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation has not yet issued a launch license for the Falcon Heavy, a requirement for a commercial launch such as this. Such licenses are often issued days ahead of a launch.
Anticipation has been high for this launch, the largest U.S. rocket since the Saturn 5.
(Excerpt) Read more at spacenews.com ...
“He ain’t ‘Heavy’ he’s my brother.”
I plan to be there - really looking forward to the launch - and recovery.
The Tesla will play David Bowie “SPACE ODDITY” on its trip to Mars
Kaboom!
Brevard County, Florida LAUNCH ping.Do you have a place picked out yet? It should be very crowded.
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