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SpaceX revealed the first official medium (including a video timelapse) of its Falcon Heavy Block 5 rocket, including one of the most spectacular photos of Falcon Heavy (and the Falcon family in general).
In early April, SpaceX technicians and engineers completed the final integration of Falcon Heavy Flight 2 over a period of 24 to 48 hours, connecting the side boosters to the central core and the upper stage of the rocket to its intermediate level. Once assembled, the cranes lifted the massive rocket – probably weighing more than 75 tonnes – and carefully installed it on the Pad 39A (T / E) transporter / fitter, a large mobile structure with flanges and refueling / communication equipment, as well as the ability to lift the rocket vertically and horizontally. Shortly after, the rocket deployed on Pad 39A and made its first static shot, setting the stage for a launch date as early as 6:35 pm EDT (9:35 pm UTC) on April 9th.
Next to the single
Available in 4K resolution, the photo is perhaps the most detailed official appearance ever given to a rocket in block 5, especially for a view of the engine section, the octaweb and the thermal shield of four boosters. An intriguing green patina is immediately visible on every Falcon Heavy booster shield structure, sometimes described (with humor) as a dance floor. Prior to these three boosters, the same structure as the other Falcon 9 Block 5 boosters never had the same patina, which indicates that it is a separate modification (armor enhancement, perhaps) or more presumably, a vestige of manufacture that disappears each time. First entry at high speed of block 5. In other words, it may be a patina or an anti-corrosion coating that is literally burned during landing.
In addition, the complex mechanisms connecting the three Falcon 9 boosters are also easily visible. Approximate visual comparisons between the mechanisms present on Falcon Heavy Flight 1 and 2 suggest that they are largely unchanged. Their ultimate job is to safely, reliably and repeatedly transfer truly horrible loads – sometimes the majority of the thrust of the two side boosters – with the least possible disruption in terms of mass and aerodynamics, while separating and retracting the three boosters. At a press conference held shortly after the successful launch of Falcon Heavy, Musk repeatedly reiterated that the additional hardware required – in addition to a complete overhaul of the core – was an extraordinary technical challenge, more than anything else. difficult than expected.
In addition, SpaceX confirmed that the fourth recall in the 39A main hangar was Falcon 9 B1051, the same rocket that launched Crew Dragon in orbit for the first time a month ago. According to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the B1051 is being renovated for the Constellation Radarsat (RCM) mission, a trio of satellites scheduled to be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) at the latest. early May 2019. Intensive integration, the B1051 is turning on its rotisserie while technicians are trying to return quickly for its second launch.
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