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The Falcon Heavy launch of the GOES-U satellite delayed
Mar
NASA and SpaceX have delayed the primary Falcon Heavy launch of the yr till no sooner than June twenty fifth.
The delay comes after the rocket heart core booster’s routine testing at SpaceX’s Rocket Growth and Check Facility in McGregor, Texas, revealed a leak.
Thrilling information from @NASA & @SpaceX!
The launch of #GOESU, the ultimate satellite tv for pc in @NOAA‘s GOES-R Collection, is now set for June 25. After addressing a liquid oxygen leak throughout booster testing, groups are again on observe for this crucial mission.????https://t.co/lkK2681yH5 pic.twitter.com/R3S9Ohl4um— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) March 26, 2024
The three cores launching GOES-U are all model new, and with each model new Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy core/aspect booster, they’re delivered to McGregor for a full spherical of testing, culminating in a full static hearth.
After these assessments are accomplished, the rockets are transported to both Florida or California for his or her launch marketing campaign. SpaceX used to precede each launch with a static hearth, however lately, with the usage of flight-proven launch automobiles, solely high-profile launches, comparable to crewed or essential authorities satellite tv for pc missions, conduct a static hearth.
With the GOES-U mission utilizing 3 model new Falcons, SpaceX will conduct a short static hearth at Launch Complicated 39A forward of launch.
GOES-U would be the 4th launch and closing launch of the Collection-R platform. This satellite tv for pc has been modified to repair a difficulty that precipitated a malfunction of GOES-17, which pressured the satellite tv for pc to be moved to a “storage orbit” and changed by GOES-18. The satellites are designed to have an operational lifetime of 15 years.
The present three Falcon cores assigned to GOES-U are Booster 1087, the middle core, which can be flying in its expendable configuration, and aspect Boosters 1072 and 1086. B1072 has additionally undergone two rounds of testing at McGregor after going through its personal points. Whereas the middle core can be expended, the 2 aspect cores will return to Touchdown Zones 1 & 2 and be used on future missions.
Falcon Heavy aspect boosters returning to the touchdown zones (Credit score Richard Angle)
GOES-U would be the first of three Falcon Heavy missions deliberate for this yr, the opposite two being NASA’s Europa Clipper and Astrobotic’s Griffin Moon lander.
Are you wanting ahead to the primary Falcon Heavy launch of the yr?
Questions or feedback? Shoot me an electronic mail at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.
