repositories of human knowledge around
the atmosphere, such as mining resources,
- a free-flying spacecraft designed to
the Solar System. Lastly, hidden away
tourism and, of course, improved research,
deliver both cargo and people to orbiting
and engraved on a circuit board reads the
increasing the payload size that is possible
destinations. It is the only spacecraft
message “Made on Earth by humans” – just
per launch greatly reduces issues such as
currently flying that is capable of returning
in case anyone out there needs to know!
cost and pollution. Space X’s dreams are
significant amounts of cargo to Earth, and its
So what’s so great about this Falcon
even greater: ““Falcon Heavy was designed
first manned test flight is expected to take
Heavy rocket? Space X describe it as: “the
from the outset to carry humans into space
place later this year.
most powerful operational rocket in the
and restores the possibility of flying missions
world by a factor of two. With the ability to
with crew to the Moon or Mars.”
lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb) -
Whilst images of a red sportscar cruising past the Earth have had people excited,
The Falcon Heavy’s first stage is
Musk and his companies have received some
a mass greater than a 737 jetliner
composed of three Falcon 9 nine-engine
criticism and backlash for the launch, with
loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and
cores, whose 27 Merlin engines combine
opinion columnists in papers and newsites
fuel - Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice
to generate more than 5 million pounds
such as the UK’s Guardian suggesting that
the payload of the next closest operational
of thrust at liftoff, equal to approximately
it was the work of a “wasteful billionaire
vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the
eighteen 747 aircraft. According to Space X,
playboy” who should be spending his money
cost.” These sorts of achievements could
only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in
on crises such as Syria, instead of indulging
mean big change for space-based industry;
1973, delivered more payload to orbit.
in sending his car to space “for the fun of
with many start-ups looking into space-tech
As well as delivering large payloads, it
it”. Any stunt that attracts media attention is
and the possibilities waiting for us beyond
can also carry Space X’s Dragon spacecraft
bound to provoke some outrage, and for the Endeavour Magazine | 13