Development of the launch vehicle, the Falcon Heavy is 2011. Originally, SpaceX planned to launch its tests in 2013, but the timing is gradually shifted. This summer, the head of SpaceX Elon Musk said that the rocket is ready for the first flight, which will take place in autumn 2017, and recently reported on the successfully conducted tests of engines of the first steps.
Tests were carried out on a special stand equipped at the company’s plant in Texas. Each stage is a modified and enhanced the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket, equipped with special fairings. In the course of testing engines of stages I worked about two minutes, then the tanks ran out of fuel, and the test was successfully completed.
The assurances of the SpaceX rocket, the Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful rocket, the company is able to bring into orbit of up to 64 tons of cargo. All stages of the rocket is scheduled to make a return.
The first test flight of the rocket is scheduled for November 2017. Elon Musk hopes that the missile will be able to fly, but hopes that after the first flight happens to land a degree, he does not feel. However, even the flight itself will become the company’s biggest breakthrough, because the launch has already been postponed several times.
SpaceX tested the Falcon Heavy engines
Vyacheslav Larionov