SpaceX is preparing to launch its Falcon Heavy rocket this evening in Florida, carrying the mysterious military spacecraft X-37B on a secret mission – possibly to its highest orbit yet.
Key Facts
The Falcon Heavy rocket is one of the most powerful rockets in the world, capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons, and is famously known for launching Elon Musk’s personal Tesla car into space.
The X-37B spacecraft built by Boeing is uncrewed and operates independently, resembling a smaller version of NASA’s classic space shuttle, but its reputation for conducting secret missions and transporting classified payloads has made it a point of interest for space enthusiasts.
The Falcon Heavy rocket is expected to be the strongest rocket from which X-37B will be launched, indicating that the spacecraft is ready to reach an orbit higher than previous missions.
Although the vehicle may reach new heights, the Department of Defense has not disclosed its exact altitude, the destination in space, or the duration of its absence, and it seems that the spacecraft is designed to conduct secret missions without detection.
Despite the X-37B’s secretive reputation, the U.S. Space Force has clarified some mission objectives in a press release, indicating that the mission will aim to test the X-37B at new orbital levels and explore the effects of radiation on plant seeds provided by NASA.
SpaceX is also planning to launch its smaller Falcon 9 rocket this evening, carrying Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.
What to Watch For
The Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled to launch on Thursday at 8:07 PM Eastern Time from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An alternative launch opportunity is scheduled for 8:06 PM on Friday. Tickets for in-person viewing have been sold out. However, the launch will be streamed live on SpaceX’s account on platform X. The Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch at 11:01 PM from the Space Force station at Cape Canaveral, Florida. An alternative launch opportunity is also set for 11:00 PM on Friday, and this launch will also be streamed on platform X.
Main Background
This will be the fifth launch of the Falcon Heavy side boosters, according to SpaceX. This is also the seventh mission for the military’s X-37B. Previous missions have sparked speculation in the space community. In 2019, the X-37B landed after two years in orbit around Earth, with little evidence of what it was doing, according to Wired magazine. However, other missions included testing a solar panel that could transmit solar energy from space to Earth. The scheduled Falcon Heavy launch also comes after three previous launches were canceled due to weather or technical issues. While these delays persisted, China launched its own “Shenlong” vehicle into space – a spacecraft believed to rival the X-37B – as part of the ongoing space race between the United States and China.
Important Quote
“I think it’s one of the more exciting things that have happened in space for a long time,” said Paul Graziani, CEO of COMSPOC, a company tracking objects in space, to CNN. Graziani added that the company plans to look for the spacecraft if it reaches a geosynchronous orbit, where many large satellites operate. However, he noted that the vehicle could avoid detection by blending into the sunlight or frequently changing its position.
Number
Big
130 million dollars. This is the value of SpaceX’s contract with the U.S. Space Force to launch X-37B. The contract was awarded in 2018.
In-depth Reading
More from Forbes: Reports indicate that SpaceX is valued at $180 billion in a planned secondary stock sale by Seladitya Ray
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