SpaceX has us in a very tight time crunch setting up cameras, as they should! It’s do or die out here, get ‘em up, this baby is going tomorrow! #FalconHeavy #SpaceX @Teslarati
Just spoke to an ebullient Elon Musk at the launch pad. In his heart, he feels like there’s a 67 percent chance of success. In his head, it’s probably closer to 50-50.
Just talking rockets with Elon. Thanks to @TrevorMahlmann for this amazing shot.
Musk: We are doing a six-hour coast to demonstrate to the Air Force the capability to do direct-to-GEO missions. Risk is that the Roadster ends up in LEO.
Musk: If the third burn goes as we hope, the Tesla will get as far away as 380 to 450 million km from Earth.
Musk: one area of concern is relative interactions of the three booster cores; could be resonance or shockwave impingement. Once second stage separates, we’re in much more known territory other than long-duration coast.
Musk: looks like development of BFR is moving quickly, and won’t be necessary to qualify Falcon Heavy for crewed spaceflight.
Musk: if we’re successful, offer near super-heavy-lift for little more than Falcon 9. “Game over” for all other heavy-lift rockets.
Musk: if successful should be able to d another FH in three to six months. Can produce them at a pretty rapid rate.
Musk: if we wanted to, we could add to more side boosters, make it Falcon Super Heavy.
Musk: we kind of tabled Crew Dragon on Falcon Heavy (including the cislunar mission announced last Feb.) and focus our energies on BFR.
Musk: it would be a “real huge downer” if Falcon Heavy blows up, but hope to learn a lot. It’s a win if it just clears the pad.
Musk: main reason for the six-hour coast is to demonstrate direct GEO insertion (for national security customers).
Musk: will be three cameras mounted on the Roadster, should provide “epic views” if all goes well.
Musk: it should be an exciting day tomorrow. We’ll have a good time whatever happens.
Musk: if successful with this test launch, we’ll be ready to put a satellite on the next Falcon Heavy launch.
Musk -- there are 3 cameras on the roadster, and sensors on the upper stage. Will get a lot of data back. Views should be amazing.
Musk: If FH blows up the pad, it'll take at least 9 - 12 months to get the pad back in action. It won't affect production.
Musk: However if it clears the pad and doesn't go well, can launch FH again in 3 to 4 months
Had an amazing day getting every allowable angle of Falcon Heavy before launch tomorrow at 1:30pm! #FalconHeavy @Teslarati
Musk said the peak dynamic pressure for this launch will be about 15- or 20-percent less than a Falcon 9 going to geostationary orbit.
The first test flight of Falcon Heavy is targeted for Tuesday, Feb. 6th at 1:30 PM ET from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. When Falcon Heavy lifts off, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. http://instagram.com/p/Be1jFT2lQ0W
