SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy, World’s Most Powerful Rocket

On Tuesday, Feb. 6th at 3:45 PM ET, Falcon Heavy successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two, with the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb) -- a mass greater than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel.

(SpaceX video)

Falcon Heavy's first stage is composed of three Falcon 9 nine-engine cores whose 27 Merlin engines together generate more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973, delivered more payload to orbit.

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PARIS --- Given the little information provided by SpaceX in its press release, we have compiled the company’s Tweets about the Falcon Heavy launch, which provide a much more detailed picture of events.

Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/2ypESsi1sF

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 6, 2018

Side cores engine cutoff and separation from center core confirmed. Center core continuing as planned.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 6, 2018

Center core engine cutoff and separation from second stage confirmed. Second stage burn underway.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 6, 2018

Center core and side cores entry burns complete.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 6, 2018

Falcon Heavy side cores have landed at SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2. pic.twitter.com/oMBqizqnpI

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 6, 2018

Second stage engine cutoff as planned.

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 6, 2018

Upper stage restart nominal, apogee raised to 7000 km. Will spend 5 hours getting zapped in Van Allen belts & then attempt final burn for Mars.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 6, 2018

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