Why hasn't SpaceX's Falcon Heavy flown much?

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
  • The Falcon Heavy launch last year was one of the most highly anticipated rocket launches in recent history. It caught a lot of attention and showed that a new era of reusable rockets had arrived. In this video, we look at the history of the Falcon Heavy and why it hasn't flown since it's first test flight.
    Thanks for watching this Primal Space video. If you enjoyed it, let me know in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe so you can see more videos like this!
    Thanks to Austin Barnard for his footage of the Boca Chica Starship site: / austinbarnard
    Support Primal Space by becoming a Patron!
    / primalspace
    Twitter: / theprimalspace
    Facebook: / theprimalspace
    Music used in this video:
    » Secret Conversations - The 126ers
    » Sunset Trails - DJ Williams
    » Please - Wayne Jones
  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 737

  • @bradleytaniguchi1187
    @bradleytaniguchi1187 Před 5 lety +1707

    The simultaneous booster landings has to be one of the coolest moments in space history. Gives me goosebumps every time.

    • @diegoarpino2080
      @diegoarpino2080 Před 5 lety +30

      It's better with the David Bowie song playing in the background :D

    • @chung729chung
      @chung729chung Před 5 lety +18

      Just like Iron Man’s suit landing

    • @BibiBubuish
      @BibiBubuish Před 5 lety +18

      Yeah, It looks totally Sci Fi !

    • @starwolf3834
      @starwolf3834 Před 4 lety +5

      Same here. Gotta love those twins.

    • @liotcik
      @liotcik Před 4 lety

      Does this makes you happy?

  • @jwb2814
    @jwb2814 Před 5 lety +852

    Those two boosters landing together is the best

    • @Maxwaehrens
      @Maxwaehrens Před 5 lety +29

      IMO that is why the Falcon Heavy launch is iconic, we've had heavy lifter rockets before, but nothing as revolutionary as the reuseability of FH. I can't wait to see all three rocket modules landing and surviving.

    • @jwb2814
      @jwb2814 Před 5 lety +4

      My Ohana
      Your life is a cgi cartoon
      😂😂😂

    • @jwb2814
      @jwb2814 Před 5 lety +3

      JeFfErY RaY
      Yeah I’m sure the hundreds of people physical there on the ground watching it live enjoyed it

    • @jefferyray2534
      @jefferyray2534 Před 5 lety

      @@jwb2814 yeah. Watching that rocket launch out over the ocean until it disappears from sight. And then sadly it falls right into the ocean. Never once do people wonder why rockets don't go straight up. That would make too much sense. But you go on believing in your fairytale and in Luke Skywalker and Captain Kirk. Don't believe it's done in a dark swimming pool and the rest is CGI computer animated cartoons. That would probably just break your heart. It's fake as hell man. But that's ok only intelligent people realize that. We can't expect everyone to be smart enough to see the truth. I only pity you. I ain't mad at ya. Good day.

    • @jwb2814
      @jwb2814 Před 5 lety +5

      JeFfErY RaY
      Holy crap
      Einstein
      They returned back to and landed at the same facility they were launched from

  • @AugmentedGravity
    @AugmentedGravity Před 5 lety +260

    That simultaneous side booster landing is one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen in my whole entire life.

  • @Kevin-xy2tu
    @Kevin-xy2tu Před 5 lety +1294

    RIP main core, you'll be remembered :'(

    • @officialspock
      @officialspock Před 5 lety +50

      Its in my backyard

    • @rickmaassen2019
      @rickmaassen2019 Před 5 lety +71

      I still remember the camera freezing on us and SpaceX shutting off the stream only to hear days later the main core took a dive at high speed.. good, but sad times..

    • @fixpontt
      @fixpontt Před 5 lety +33

      @@officialspock no it's in Aquaman's backyard

    • @chadleach6009
      @chadleach6009 Před 5 lety +9

      @@rickmaassen2019 Better than it hitting the deck at those speeds, would of totaled the drone ship.

    • @colbysilagy5072
      @colbysilagy5072 Před 5 lety +11

      @@chadleach6009 i would imagine if they knew it was gonna hit hard(lack of engines or propellant) they would purposefully steer it off course to save the drone ship

  • @aWildLupi
    @aWildLupi Před 5 lety +246

    An interesting point I hadn't heard made much, is that Falcon Heavy was concieved at a time where Falcon 9 was a weak and meager rocket, the F9 1.0/1.1 version. By the time we got to Falcon 9 Block 3/4/5, a lot of payloads that would have needed a Falcon Heavy as originally proposed could launch on Falcon 9, like Intelsat-35e, which was moved to expendable block 3/4, and the Telstar satellites which flew on block V.
    In other words, Falcon Heavy was proposed to combat limitations of the falcon 9 that don't really exist anymore, because of how lean, mean, and clean of a machine it's become since 2012.

    • @RENO_K
      @RENO_K Před 4 lety +6

      that's really amazing when you think about it huh, how fast they evolve

    • @Enndorii
      @Enndorii Před 4 lety +12

      They’ll probably use the improvements on the F9 to improve the carrying capacity of the Falcon Heavy even more.

  • @sparrowlt
    @sparrowlt Před 5 lety +77

    Also the Falcon 9 has grown a lot from the original design to the current stable block 5.. When the heavy was first planned..it used 3 Falcon 9s ..but of the earlier smaller and less capable versions..
    The growth of the F9 has meant not only that the Heavy had to be constantly "redesigned" every time there was a major change in the F9.. but that the final F9 has the capacity enought to take on many missions originally planned for the Heavy (thats how much the F9 has grown ..a lot).. so there is less necesity for FHs since those launches could now be done with simpler F9s

    • @FrikInCasualMode
      @FrikInCasualMode Před 5 lety +10

      Additionally, SPaceX is moving on to the next big thing - the Starship. Why would they sink time and money in FH further development when they have truly game-changing next gen spacecraft in the works?

    • @ImNotActuallyChristian
      @ImNotActuallyChristian Před 5 lety +2

      Frik Na luzie It’s just a transitional thing. Starship will take a long time to make, and in the mean time they’ll use falcon heavy to launch heavy payload. They already have a bunch of contracts made years ago with private companies and the government to launch stuff with FH.

  • @joelp77440
    @joelp77440 Před 5 lety +50

    He forgot to mention a 3rd reason. Pad 39A - The clampdowns for F9 are 4 while the clampdowns for F9H are 6. In short, they have to change the pad around which takes time and money. That is why they are flying two F9Hs in a row, then changing the pad back around to work for the F9. It's not economical to change the pad back and forth for each type of rocket or develop a stand alone Pad just for the F9H since it does not fly that much.

  • @DiThi
    @DiThi Před 5 lety +46

    Don't forget that the Falcon 9 grew in capabilities. There's a bunch of payloads that were slotted for FH that flew on a F9 instead.

  • @Hysell
    @Hysell Před 5 lety +69

    The other problem with the FH is the fairing size. However spacex has said they could design a larger one if a customer requested it. I assume that means the customer would have to pay for development as well. Can't wait to see this thing launch again

    • @w9gb
      @w9gb Před 4 lety +2

      Christopher Hysell
      The Asymmetric Payload fairing was studied by AFRL 15-20 years ago for Atlas Heavy.
      Detailed presentation at AIAA conference.
      pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e431/4eaf025bfddb0a19fd175afa06b813fc2fd1.pdf
      NRO & USAF were presumed clients.
      ATA Engineering had a brochure on the concept.

    • @Markus-zb5zd
      @Markus-zb5zd Před 3 lety

      well, why use a F9H when you can use an Ariane 5 with a way bigger fairing?

    • @Hysell
      @Hysell Před 3 lety

      @@Markus-zb5zd I think that all has to do with your payload. Also, the standard F9 is way more powerful than it used to be. A lot of payloads were originally going to fly on F9H moved over to a standard F9. Plus we will soon have Starship that will erase all the falcon fairing size problems and cut costs.

  • @naufalfarras1556
    @naufalfarras1556 Před 5 lety +690

    Crew Dragon is more important than Falcon Heavy

    • @ThePrimalEarth
      @ThePrimalEarth Před 5 lety +59

      is it tho? crew dragon has other alternatives like Starliner or Soyuz. while falcon heavy is currently the only operational superheavy launch vehicle (if operated in fully expendable mode wich still technically counts) and the only superheavy lift rocket to fly since the Energia rocket lifted off from the Soviet Union on its second and last flight carrying the buran shuttle.

    • @keshlalish5586
      @keshlalish5586 Před 5 lety +37

      heavy could be the key to bigger stations, making it as important as dragon

    • @re7alia7or
      @re7alia7or Před 5 lety +11

      It may be for now, but for bigger missions, that is going to be fucking useful mate

    • @elias_xp95
      @elias_xp95 Před 5 lety +10

      You're still asking the wrong questions.
      The real question is why do we need a rocket when the moon is just a hologram? Hmmm.......

    • @AmbientMorality
      @AmbientMorality Před 5 lety +3

      @@ThePrimalEarth Who cares? Who wants a superheavy launch vehicle? Falcon Heavy's business case relies on the heavier GTO market and national security missions, with at least side core recovery.

  • @LilBragii
    @LilBragii Před 5 lety +21

    Love your content

  • @Chantillian
    @Chantillian Před 5 lety +176

    The voice struck me as strange - couldn't tell if it was a real human or computer-generated.

    • @EeekiE
      @EeekiE Před 5 lety +70

      It’s either a very good TTS system or a very awkward and dry human that should do voiceovers for elevators and train doors.

    • @imgerrydee
      @imgerrydee Před 5 lety +1

      just like the video

    • @zevsiegel9494
      @zevsiegel9494 Před 5 lety +2

      Radio Israel(Voice of Israel) used to have an announcer who sounded just like this. Maybe 25 yrs ago.

    • @davecarsley8773
      @davecarsley8773 Před 5 lety +19

      You serious?? It's super clearly human

    • @Ethorbit
      @Ethorbit Před 5 lety +5

      Hahahahahaha, that's exactly what I was thinking! It's clearly human, but some parts sounded similar to TTS

  • @aidanwansbrough7495
    @aidanwansbrough7495 Před 5 lety

    Looking forward to seeing Falcon Heavy fly again!! Thanks for the update!

  • @jerry3790
    @jerry3790 Před 5 lety +2

    Great content and congratulations on 100k!

  • @manthanrao2685
    @manthanrao2685 Před 5 lety +21

    It's about to launch again though, in about 6 minutes.

  • @Billy2011C
    @Billy2011C Před 5 lety +9

    Nice video. That is all I have to comment. Well worth a like.

  • @ax2bxc
    @ax2bxc Před 5 lety +231

    DO NOT expect a recently tested rocket to fly immediately with the next launch window.

    • @thesimpleanswer2264
      @thesimpleanswer2264 Před 5 lety +10

      K

    • @timkebienda1809
      @timkebienda1809 Před 5 lety +9

      Common sense

    • @ax2bxc
      @ax2bxc Před 5 lety +32

      @Joe Chang
      You are the lie.

    • @danielaniq
      @danielaniq Před 5 lety +19

      @Joe Chang lol, someone just learns kindergarten physics

    • @garethhanby
      @garethhanby Před 5 lety

      @Swagger Kekker Not sure what you are talking about there. Momentum must be conserved within an isolated system. Of course the junior physics level equation he quotes is only true in classical mechanics and he clearly has no idea of the implications. But what you are saying does not make sense, a mass does not have momentum when considered in isolation.

  • @MichaelOrtega
    @MichaelOrtega Před 5 lety +117

    This video will blow up 🚀

  • @WangleLine
    @WangleLine Před 5 lety

    What a lovely, well-made video. Keep it coming :D

  • @MrMarco7259
    @MrMarco7259 Před 5 lety +88

    April, the Falcon Heavy flys again!

    • @re7alia7or
      @re7alia7or Před 5 lety +12

      Cant wait to see it fly again damn

    • @Clicksystems
      @Clicksystems Před 5 lety +2

      Was supposed to fly this month but keeps being pushed back

    • @natedole8276
      @natedole8276 Před 5 lety

      is it April now? not March?

    • @MrMarco7259
      @MrMarco7259 Před 5 lety +1

      @@natedole8276 , according to Space Flight now, April. Date and time TBD

    • @frankhumbug
      @frankhumbug Před 5 lety

      The Space Coast Life, do you know or have you heard why it's April not March?

  • @NurMd891
    @NurMd891 Před 5 lety +1

    Congrastulation for 100K subs!

  • @vulcain-sawyer
    @vulcain-sawyer Před 5 lety

    Always good video ! Continue !

  • @Rbrt92
    @Rbrt92 Před 5 lety

    Another oneeee ♥ Love ya!

  • @olifive2452
    @olifive2452 Před 4 lety +1

    Very good video!

  • @Hutch5321
    @Hutch5321 Před 5 lety

    Hard to believe it's been over a year since we watched the Heavy launch. I will never forget watching the two boosters land together.
    Thank you for the video!

  • @rv8714
    @rv8714 Před 4 lety

    Love your videos. Keep it up mate👍

  • @mikepimp6317
    @mikepimp6317 Před 4 lety

    Love this channel

  • @astria4157
    @astria4157 Před 5 lety

    Sorry I was late I was playing ksp lol. Yeah I can't wait for the up coming flights. Another great video keep it up!

  • @mickivonnoog
    @mickivonnoog Před 5 lety

    Very nice work,,, thank You

  • @daz8q4000
    @daz8q4000 Před 5 lety

    Very good INFO.

  • @csymon7836
    @csymon7836 Před 5 lety

    Nice video!

  • @Tochnology
    @Tochnology Před 5 lety

    almost 100k subscribers! good luck

  • @trihard7323
    @trihard7323 Před 5 lety +3

    I'm a simple man but when I see a new primal space video, I hit like.

  • @CessnaPilot99
    @CessnaPilot99 Před 5 lety

    90k views in 1 day. Impressive. Just goes to show you made high quality videos from the very beginning and grew a big following. Notification bell clicked

  • @XxPlayMakerxX131
    @XxPlayMakerxX131 Před 5 lety

    This is so cool

  • @davidvonch8223
    @davidvonch8223 Před 4 lety

    Amazed

  • @joemamagaming6119
    @joemamagaming6119 Před 3 lety

    I was in Titusville in 6th grade I got to hear the flight outside my classroom and saw it on stream then I heard the sonic booms 2 years later and I’m in highschool trying to pursue a career I’ve seen STS 135, Inflight abort, crew 1, and demo 2, this flight was the one that got me invested

  • @alphaadhito
    @alphaadhito Před 5 lety +18

    FYI, a Falcon Heavy could carry two Electron rockets fully fueled and is still reusable. At least you still need cut the Electrons into two parts as its height wouldn't fit the fairing.

  • @thesteaktc
    @thesteaktc Před 5 lety

    Can't wait for the next falcon heavy launch

  • @TheGreenguy85
    @TheGreenguy85 Před 5 lety

    nice vid, got my sub

  • @yoda1704
    @yoda1704 Před 5 lety +8

    Almost 100k!!

  • @LTRX_
    @LTRX_ Před 5 lety

    Glad you reached 100k subs, I'm looking forward for your Silver Play Button

  • @ADHDTeenager
    @ADHDTeenager Před 4 lety

    Every time I see a falcon stood up after landing I can’t stop smiling, so glad I am alive to see history be made. Can’t wait for starship.

  • @clancyrich88
    @clancyrich88 Před 5 lety

    lets go space!

  • @christiansnderup3302
    @christiansnderup3302 Před 5 lety

    Just watched the lift off live, went back to youtube homescreen and see this, haha. btw Incredible that they landed all three

  • @BRZZ-xw4hd
    @BRZZ-xw4hd Před 5 lety

    excellent vid ...peace out

  • @brantuga9915
    @brantuga9915 Před 4 lety

    I can't wait for the FIRST STARSHIP flight

  • @funda1958
    @funda1958 Před 5 lety +63

    Boi its about to fly again this month...

    • @re7alia7or
      @re7alia7or Před 5 lety +2

      Yea can't w8

    • @SaltborneHeathen
      @SaltborneHeathen Před 5 lety +8

      Next Month. Arabsat 6a is NET (No Earlier Than) April.

    • @funda1958
      @funda1958 Před 5 lety

      Stephen Bates I thought it was March

    • @alf2685
      @alf2685 Před 5 lety

      Does any one know when it's expected to fly again ? Can't wait to see the main core successfuly land.

    • @James3Head
      @James3Head Před 5 lety

      @@alf2685 tonight.

  • @olifive2452
    @olifive2452 Před 4 lety +1

    Wow!

  • @Istanislav1
    @Istanislav1 Před 5 lety +1

    Это очень круто, от всей души желаю SpaceX успехов

  • @___aaron.m7930
    @___aaron.m7930 Před 5 lety

    Liked the video before it even started

  • @whatthefunction9140
    @whatthefunction9140 Před 4 lety

    That double landing is so hot

  • @eli6797
    @eli6797 Před 4 lety +1

    to sum it up: the falcon 9 is the main workhouse of space x and is better suited to send out most satellites and resupplying the iss, and space x’s main focus is on star hopper, starship, and super heavy so they have no use in the falcon heavy unless they’re sending heavy satellites into space

  • @DragonKingGaav
    @DragonKingGaav Před 5 lety

    Almost at 100K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @mashrurarzon401
    @mashrurarzon401 Před 4 lety +1

    Spacex employee's "go go go go go go go..!!" Is the best.

  • @elislampa3543
    @elislampa3543 Před 5 lety

    Damn, this is the best narrator I've ever heard...

  • @ronburcham5902
    @ronburcham5902 Před 5 lety +11

    Remember Fireball X L 5 ? Now that was a cool cartoon !

  • @PassportGaming
    @PassportGaming Před 5 lety +2

    Here before 100K subs

  • @KrustyKlown
    @KrustyKlown Před 4 lety +40

    Rockets fly, when there are customers ... end of discussion.

    • @General12th
      @General12th Před 4 lety +4

      There's no vehicle if there's no customers, but there's no customers if there's no vehicle. *Someone* needs to take a risk and break the mould. If every launch provider in the world is going to cater to these microscopic payloads forever, well, we might as well give up on our dreams of a permanent human presence in space here and now.

  • @L_back
    @L_back Před 4 lety

    Falcon 9: “Who are you?”
    Falcon Heavy: “I’m yo big brotha with MOAR BOOSTAAAAAAAHS.”

  • @0cujo0
    @0cujo0 Před 4 lety

    Looks like Falcon Heavy is making a comeback 😊

  • @Mr.Deleterious
    @Mr.Deleterious Před 5 lety

    2 FH launches in 2019. Gonna be a good summer.

  • @karensyoutubepage4897
    @karensyoutubepage4897 Před 5 lety +6

    All three boosters have landed!!!

  • @jiri3664
    @jiri3664 Před 5 lety +1

    And another great video 👍

  • @liamward5837
    @liamward5837 Před 5 lety

    Godspeed, Falcon Heavy

  • @vMufasa
    @vMufasa Před 5 lety

    I don't think we appreciate this as much as it should be... this is unprecedented in written human history... they are breaking all barriers, not just repeating something that's been done before, so of course there will be many challenges and set backs as they perfect the unprecedented technology...

  • @soultrekcentral
    @soultrekcentral Před 5 lety +1

    According to insider contacts at mission control. Atm they are recruiting some new editors specialized in after effects. There was some complaining about the previous space x footage looking too fake..

  • @skm8838
    @skm8838 Před 3 lety +1

    This video is still up to date

  • @RussellYannis1221
    @RussellYannis1221 Před 4 lety +6

    Because it’s heavy.

  • @racineg33
    @racineg33 Před 5 lety

    With every launch, SpaceX takes another step in the lead, they can afford the breathing room to ensure that every ground breaking launch is thoroughly prepared. As the narrator said we have been spoiled with Falcon 9's success. We need to be patient with Falcon Heavy, they've earned that much.

  • @MrGidorMr
    @MrGidorMr Před 5 lety

    gg for 100k

  • @joer8854
    @joer8854 Před 5 lety

    You also need to remember after the first full launch they are going to want to inspect every last thing they can on the rocket. I don't know if they ever managed to recover the main stage after it hit he water but they will check every last square inch of the boosters for sure.

  • @kertkopper
    @kertkopper Před 5 lety

    100k subs!

  • @BrooklandsHoneyBees
    @BrooklandsHoneyBees Před 5 lety +2

    Goes up again in April

  • @TSemasFl
    @TSemasFl Před 5 lety

    SpaceX landing both of those boosters simultaneously was a incredible and major step forward in human engineering. Congratulations SpaceX, you got game.

    • @Marc98338
      @Marc98338 Před 5 lety

      Step forward in human engineering? Calm down now. They asre on a good way but still have yet to get people into space let alone travel to the Moon or somewhere else.

    • @TSemasFl
      @TSemasFl Před 5 lety

      @@Marc98338 ok dumbass, that hasn't been done before. They'll be sending people up shortly, while your country sits on their "arse" becoming a liberal cesspool. Fuck off, limey

  • @sgtmerker2401
    @sgtmerker2401 Před 5 lety

    They're saving it for the first launch @ Boca Chica Beach!

  • @damitcam
    @damitcam Před 4 lety

    We should all take a moment to applaud the fact that since falcon one spacex has never flown a final product demonstration since that has not been a success. What an inspiration that must be to their team. Congratulations spacex!

  • @musicalhistory4392
    @musicalhistory4392 Před 5 lety

    Well the thing is Space X planned to have manned missions of the flacon heavy within months of the first launch, but given the development time the Dragon was already conceived and now has started development since the falcon heavy launch coming in ideally just a couple more years.

  • @Oomorath
    @Oomorath Před 5 lety +1

    It's set to fly again in 2 weeks on the 19th

  • @shockwave2291
    @shockwave2291 Před 5 lety +2

    2:20 I know this video is a bit behind, but Arabsat 6A did eventually launch last week on the Falcon Heavy (to much fanfare on the media) and SpaceX is expected to launch government contracts later this year. So a 1 year delay isn't that bad, especially in the Space Industry.

  • @davecarsley8773
    @davecarsley8773 Před 5 lety +1

    Obviously, it's because it's like... *super heavy* bro!

  • @kyramarie97
    @kyramarie97 Před 5 lety

    Supposed to launch again April 7th!

  • @nickyl9040
    @nickyl9040 Před 5 lety +3

    the next Falcon Heavy Launch is scheduled for 3/31 followed by a Heavy launch on 5/31

    • @JoMiMi_h
      @JoMiMi_h Před 5 lety

      It's 9:00 here in America and there has not been a single Falcon Hravy launch since.

    • @nickyl9040
      @nickyl9040 Před 5 lety

      @@JoMiMi_h
      Go to
      spacecoastlaunches.com
      The next launch is still scheduled for 6:36 PM
      Last year's launch was well attended so get to your viewing spot early
      Nicol Park in Port St John is a great spot

  • @naeemahmad9340
    @naeemahmad9340 Před 5 lety

    Also it good that it hasn’t flown as they will have time to improve the centre booster landing.

  • @Riverstorm440
    @Riverstorm440 Před 4 lety +1

    the first time the FH first flew i was in school in art class watching the live on my chrome book

  • @coreywestwell
    @coreywestwell Před 5 lety

    Well plans are, to launch, recover and reuse the falcon heavy within 60 days! Let’s hope there are no delays.

  • @lisbethlinton3664
    @lisbethlinton3664 Před 5 lety +1

    It will fly this March 2019.

  • @williamconway2673
    @williamconway2673 Před 5 lety

    If you check the SpaceX website you will see there are a few more FH launches for this year.

  • @JaseCJay
    @JaseCJay Před 4 lety

    Up to 3 launches now with 3 good orbital insertions, 7 successful landings and air force certification!

  • @wrench697
    @wrench697 Před 3 lety

    There is a scheduled falcon heavy launch in August and early this year

  • @NicholasMorrison
    @NicholasMorrison Před 5 lety

    Like the voice(over) - calm, literate, economical; this period of space exploration is so exciting, so full of energy and hope, that a quiet explicatory voice only adds to the sense of wonder.
    I grew up on Asimov and Heinlein during the early cold war. Even then Space looked like the only solution to mankind's warring nature.
    SpaceX will be on Mars before I die! And also, probably, the People's Republic, but that's another story.

  • @wleizero
    @wleizero Před 5 lety

    Where/when is the the clip from 3:23 from? Do you have a link the the full clip?

  • @wgc3004
    @wgc3004 Před 4 lety +2

    Steal the James Webb Telescope contract to send it up, we need amazing photos soon!

  • @michaelespinoza3726
    @michaelespinoza3726 Před 4 lety +1

    It would be cool if they used the super heavy boosters in the same way they use the falcon 9 boosters for falcon heavy. Could you imagine the power?! That would truly be a sight to behold. Elon musk said he was planning a larger rocket then starship for the next gen. I wonder it would be easier to do it this way.

  • @brianfoss571
    @brianfoss571 Před 5 lety

    Good summary of the evolution of the Falcon family as a whole. It's worth pointing out that upgrades to Falcon 9 meant that Heavy would only be needed for 5-10% of the commercial satellite market.
    Its main purpose is providing additional reusability opportunities for F9 first stages (both as side boosters for Heavy and by reducing expendable F9 launches). And it does give SpaceX experience operating a vehicle with 20+ engines that will be needed to make BFR successful. Heavy should also be useful for launching the first tranches of StarLink sats before BFR takes over. But it may need a custom fairing to accommodate more than 25 tonnes of satellites. New Glenn is far superior to Falcon Heavy for these heavy launches.
    Also, the delay in the next two Heavy flights probably has much more to do with work on finishing Crew Dragon and certifying F9 B5 for human spaceflight than early prototyping work on BFR. Honestly surprised you didn't mention Crew Dragon at all in this video, especially with the demo flight to ISS in the news. NASA and SpaceX are under a lot of political pressure to fly astronauts to the station sooner rather than later. So that's likely a major factor in the delays of ArabSat 6A and STP-2. Neither mission is as valuable to SpaceX as the Commercial Crew contract is. So I would be shocked if Crew Dragon work has not been SpaceX's top development priority in 2018.
    Still, a good effort and informative video for those who might not be as familiar with SpaceX's work. Keep it up! Looking forward to future videos about Crew Dragon and the commercial prospects of BFR. Won't be surprised if competition with New Glenn and difficulties with a composite first stage force SpaceX to downsize it to 60 tonnes to LEO.

  • @jonjonsson4270
    @jonjonsson4270 Před 5 lety +1

    There is a glaring omission. Between 2012 and 2018, Falcon 9 went from 10,000 kg to LEO, to 22,800 kg to LEO. Falcon 9 full thrust essentially took the place of a few FH launches. But, you can bet your ass that the NRO is looking at FH capabilities and designing much heavier satellites. With big rockets more than baseball fields, if you build it, they will come.

  • @richb2229
    @richb2229 Před 3 lety

    Falcon Heavy will be used more in the coming years to lift heavy items for space station, lunar orbit, lunar base, and planetary exploration missions. Although improvements need to be made in its upper stage and the housing it uses.

  • @markjmaxwell9819
    @markjmaxwell9819 Před 4 lety

    I can see Space X being the first private company to build a space station.
    Replacing the BFR with space station modules is a no brainer....

  • @adriang.3866
    @adriang.3866 Před 5 lety

    When will be the next FH launch?

  • @RockaShocka
    @RockaShocka Před 5 lety

    we can finally start work on Starship Enterprise. no better place to build then the vastness of space