{
  "id": "spacex-falcon-heavy",
  "title": "Falcon Heavy",
  "maker": "SpaceX",
  "maker_type": "Commercial",
  "kind": "mission",
  "category": "launchers",
  "page": "https://spacemushroom.com/space-products/spacex-falcon-heavy/",
  "website": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
  "summary": "SpaceX heavy-lift launcher made of three Falcon 9-type first-stage cores. Materials are only documented for Falcon 9, which the boosters are based on.",
  "application": "A three-core heavy-lift rocket that has launched large satellites and NASA science missions. Its materials are inherited from Falcon 9, so the core and booster structure is aluminum-lithium with a carbon-fibre interstage.",
  "story": {
    "headline": "Falcon Heavy is SpaceX's three-core heavy-lift rocket, built on Falcon 9.",
    "intro": [
      "SpaceX built Falcon Heavy from three Falcon 9 first stages, joined side by side, with one upper stage on the centre core. Its 27 Merlin engines together produce more than 5 million pounds of thrust. It first flew on 6 February 2018, and its only payload was a Tesla Roadster carrying a mannequin called Starman.",
      "Most of it is Falcon 9. The side boosters are Falcon 9 first stages with nose cones fitted, and the centre core is a strengthened version. The upper stage and the fairing, the shell that protects the payload, are unchanged. SpaceX publishes no materials list for Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9, the rocket it is built on, has aluminium-lithium tanks."
    ],
    "built": [
      {
        "title": "Three cores",
        "text": "A centre core and two side boosters make up the first stage, each with nine Merlin engines, and the identical side boosters wear nose cones. The centre core has thicker tank walls. At liftoff it runs at full power for a few seconds, throttles down, then returns to maximum once the side boosters separate.",
        "parts": [
          "Three-core first stage",
          "Center core (thicker tank walls)",
          "Side boosters (two, structurally identical)",
          "Side-booster nose cones",
          "Merlin 1D engines (x27, nine per core)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Joints and release",
        "text": "Each side booster is connected to the centre core at the base engine mount and at the forward end of the core's oxygen tank. The release system sits on the centre core. After burnout, four gas-powered pushers on each side booster, two at the top and two at the base, push it away.",
        "parts": [
          "Core-to-core structural connections (forward and aft)",
          "Attachment at the base engine mount and the forward end of the centre-core LOX tank",
          "Booster separation system on the centre core",
          "Forward pneumatic pusher separation mechanisms (two per side booster)",
          "Aft pusher separation mechanisms (two per side booster)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Upper stage and fairing",
        "text": "The second stage and the fairing are the same as Falcon 9's, with one Merlin engine modified for vacuum. Most flights have used a mission-extension kit, which allows long coasts between burns. A 4.5-metre composite interstage, the section between the stages, joins the centre core to the second stage.",
        "parts": [
          "Second stage (same as Falcon 9)",
          "Merlin Vacuum engine (x1, second stage)",
          "Mission-extension kit on the second stage",
          "Payload fairing (same as Falcon 9)",
          "Centre-core interstage (4.5 m)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Coming back",
        "text": "Each core has four retractable grid fins at the top, which extend after separation to steer it down. Landing legs of the Falcon 9 type, made of carbon fibre and aluminium, let the boosters touch down. The two side boosters have landed side by side at Landing Zones 1 and 2.",
        "parts": [
          "Grid fins on each core (four per core)",
          "Landing legs (Falcon 9 booster)"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "materials": [
      {
        "name": "Aluminium-lithium alloy",
        "mid": "aluminium-lithium-alloy",
        "where": "Tank walls of the Falcon 9 first stage, which the three cores are based on."
      },
      {
        "name": "Aluminium-lithium alloy 2195-T8",
        "mid": "aluminium-lithium-2195-t8",
        "where": "Plate for the barrels of the Falcon 9 first-stage tanks, the design the cores build on."
      },
      {
        "name": "Aluminium honeycomb",
        "mid": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
        "where": "The core of the interstage sandwich, as on Falcon 9."
      },
      {
        "name": "Carbon fibre",
        "mid": "carbon-fibre",
        "where": "The outer sheets of the interstage and, with aluminium, the Falcon 9-type landing legs."
      }
    ],
    "connections": "Merlin 1D engines power all three cores, nine on each, and a single Merlin Vacuum powers the upper stage. The design builds on Falcon 9, whose second stage and fairing it shares. Later flights carried the Arabsat-6A communications satellite and the 25 satellites of the STP-2 mission. The fourth and fifth carried the US Space Force payloads USSF-44 and USSF-67.",
    "unknown": "SpaceX gives no materials of its own for Falcon Heavy, so what is known comes from Falcon 9. It says little about how the centre core is reinforced, or what the crossbeams and the side-booster nose cones are made of. It names no suppliers for them. The pushers that separate the boosters are described only in outline.",
    "facts": [
      {
        "label": "Engines and thrust",
        "value": "27 Merlin engines, more than 5 million lbf"
      },
      {
        "label": "Length at launch",
        "value": "70 m (230 ft)"
      },
      {
        "label": "Fuelled mass",
        "value": "1,420 t (3,130,000 lb)"
      },
      {
        "label": "Payload to low Earth orbit",
        "value": "141,000 lb (low inclination)"
      },
      {
        "label": "Payload to Mars",
        "value": "37,000 lb"
      },
      {
        "label": "First flight",
        "value": "6 February 2018"
      }
    ]
  },
  "specifications": [
    {
      "label": "Engines and thrust",
      "value": "27 Merlin engines, more than 5 million lbf",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
      "quote": "its 27 Merlin engines combined generating more than 5 million pounds of thrust"
    },
    {
      "label": "Payload to LEO",
      "value": "141,000 lb (low inclination)",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
      "quote": "enough to place 141,000 pounds into a low inclination Earth orbit"
    },
    {
      "label": "Payload to Mars",
      "value": "37,000 lb",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
      "quote": "send 37,000 pounds to Mars"
    },
    {
      "label": "First flight",
      "value": "6 February 2018",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
      "quote": "The first demonstration flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket took place on Feb. 6, 2018"
    },
    {
      "label": "Total liftoff thrust (sea level)",
      "value": "22,819 kN (5,130,000 lbf)",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
      "quote": "for a total of 22,819 kN (5,130,000 lbf) of thrust at liftoff"
    },
    {
      "label": "Thrust of one first-stage engine at sea level",
      "value": "845 kN (190,000 lbf)",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
      "quote": "Each of the 27 first stage engines produces 845 kN (190,000 lbf) of thrust at sea level"
    },
    {
      "label": "Overall length at launch",
      "value": "70 m (230 ft)",
      "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
      "quote": "The overall length of the vehicle at launch is 70 m (230 ft)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Total fuelled mass",
      "value": "1,420 t (3,130,000 lb)",
      "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
      "quote": "the total fueled mass is 1,420 t (3,130,000 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Thrust at altitude",
      "value": "24.68 MN (5,550,000 lbf)",
      "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
      "quote": "while thrust rises to 24.68 MN (5,550,000 lbf) as the craft climbs out of the atmosphere"
    },
    {
      "label": "Crossfeed",
      "value": "not implemented",
      "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
      "quote": "Musk stated in 2016 that crossfeed would not be implemented."
    },
    {
      "label": "Demonstration flight date",
      "value": "6 February 2018",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
      "quote": "The first demonstration flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket took place on Feb. 6, 2018"
    }
  ],
  "features": [
    {
      "text": "Side boosters land back in parallel at Landing Zones 1 and 2",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
      "quote": "the two side boosters made spectacular parallel touchdowns at Landing Zones 1 and 2"
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    {
      "assembly": "Side boosters and core (Falcon 9-derived tanks)",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Tank walls (Falcon 9 first stage, basis of the boosters)",
          "material": "Aluminum-lithium alloy",
          "form": "welded tank walls",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Falcon 9 tank walls are made from an aluminum lithium alloy.",
          "source_url": "https://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/falcon9.html",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "aluminium-lithium-alloy"
        },
        {
          "part": "Tank barrels and domes (Falcon 9 first stage)",
          "material": "Airware 2195-T8 plate",
          "form": "plate",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Low-density Airware 2195-T8 plate",
          "source_url": "https://www.lightmetalage.com/news/industry-news/aerospace/how-light-metals-help-spacex-land-falcon-9-rockets-with-astonishing-accuracy/",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "aluminium-lithium-2195-t8"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Interstage",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Interstage (Falcon 9)",
          "material": "Aluminum honeycomb core with carbon fiber face sheets",
          "form": "composite sandwich",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "is a composite structure with an aluminum honeycomb core and carbon fiber face sheets.",
          "source_url": "https://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/falcon9.html",
          "profile": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "mid": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Recovery hardware",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Landing legs (Falcon 9 booster)",
          "material": "Carbon fiber and aluminum",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "landing gear comprised of carbon fiber and aluminum",
          "source_url": "https://www.lightmetalage.com/news/industry-news/aerospace/how-light-metals-help-spacex-land-falcon-9-rockets-with-astonishing-accuracy/",
          "profile": "carbon-fibre",
          "mid": "carbon-fibre"
        },
        {
          "part": "Grid fins on each core (four per core)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "four retractable grid fins at the top of each of the three Falcon 9 boosters, which extend after separation",
          "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "steer each core during descent"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Cores",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Three-core first stage",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "a center core and two side boosters; each booster and the core has nine Merlin 1D (M1D) engines",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "three Falcon 9 first stages side by side form the first stage"
        },
        {
          "part": "Center core (thicker tank walls)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The center core consists of thicker tank walls and carries the booster separation system.",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "strengthened Falcon 9 core that carries the booster separation system",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Ascent throttling",
              "value": "full power for a few seconds at liftoff, throttles down, then back to maximum after side-booster separation",
              "quote": "At launch, the center core throttles to full power for a few seconds for additional thrust, then throttles down.",
              "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Side boosters (two, structurally identical)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Structurally, the plus y-axis and minus y-axis boosters are identical.",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "strap-on Falcon 9 first stages that add axial force to the centre core",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Shutdown timing",
              "value": "tailored for each mission",
              "quote": "The timing of the shutdown for the Falcon Heavy side boosters can be tailored for each mission",
              "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Side-booster nose cones",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "two additional Falcon 9 first stages with aerodynamic nose-cones mounted outboard",
          "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "aerodynamic fairing on top of each side booster"
        },
        {
          "part": "Centre-core interstage (4.5 m)",
          "material": "aluminium honeycomb core with carbon fibre face sheet plies",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Falcon Heavy uses a 4.5 m (15 ft) interstage attached to the first stage core.",
          "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
          "profile": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "mid": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
          "function": "composite structure joining the centre core to the second stage"
        },
        {
          "part": "Core-to-core structural connections (forward and aft)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Each side booster is structurally connected to the center core at forward and aft locations.",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "tie each side booster to the centre core"
        },
        {
          "part": "Attachment at the base engine mount and the forward end of the centre-core LOX tank",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "connected to the center core at the base engine mount and at the forward end of the LOX tank on the center core",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "load path between side boosters and centre core"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Booster separation",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Booster separation system on the centre core",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "carries the booster separation system",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "releases the side boosters after burnout"
        },
        {
          "part": "Forward pneumatic pusher separation mechanisms (two per side booster)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Two pneumatic pusher separation mechanisms connect the forward ends of each side booster to the center core",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "hold the side booster to the top of the centre-core LOX tank and push it away"
        },
        {
          "part": "Aft pusher separation mechanisms (two per side booster)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Two identical pusher separation mechanisms connect the aft ends of each side booster to the center core",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "push the base of each side booster away from the centre core"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Propulsion",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Merlin 1D engines (x27, nine per core)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: SpaceX",
          "quote": "Each of the 27 first stage engines produces 845 kN (190,000 lbf) of thrust at sea level",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "first-stage main engines on the centre core and both side boosters",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Total liftoff thrust",
              "value": "22,819 kN (5,130,000 lbf)",
              "quote": "for a total of 22,819 kN (5,130,000 lbf) of thrust at liftoff",
              "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Engine-out propulsion redundancy",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "With nine engines in each first stage booster, Falcon Heavy has propulsion redundancy",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "monitors each engine and can shut down off-nominal engines in flight"
        },
        {
          "part": "Merlin Vacuum engine (x1, second stage)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: SpaceX",
          "quote": "The upper stage is powered by a single Merlin 1D engine modified for vacuum operation",
          "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "single vacuum-optimised engine on the upper stage"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Upper stage and fairing",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Second stage (same as Falcon 9)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Falcon Heavy utilizes the same second stage and same payload fairing as flown on Falcon 9",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "reuses the Falcon 9 upper stage"
        },
        {
          "part": "Mission-extension kit on the second stage",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Most Falcon Heavy launches have used a second stage equipped with a medium or long mission-extension kit",
          "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "allows long coast phases between burns"
        },
        {
          "part": "Payload fairing (same as Falcon 9)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "same payload fairing as flown on Falcon 9",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "protects the payload; standard 5.2 m fairing"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Payload (demo flight)",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Tesla Roadster with Starman mannequin",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "the Falcon Heavy carried a Tesla Roadster as its only payload",
          "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "sole payload on the first flight, attached to the second stage"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Ground systems",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Launch Complex 39A (modified for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "SpaceX modified LC-39A to adapt it to the needs of the company's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.",
          "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/commercial_crew_press_kit_2.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "pad at Kennedy Space Center used for Falcon Heavy"
        },
        {
          "part": "Transporter Erector at LC-39A",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "is used for processing and launching Falcon Heavy rockets",
          "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/commercial_crew_press_kit_2.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "212 ft erector for processing and launching Falcon Heavy"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "materials": [
    {
      "id": "aluminium-lithium-alloy",
      "name": "Aluminum-lithium alloy",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "aluminium-lithium-2195-t8",
      "name": "Airware 2195-T8 plate",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb",
      "name": "aluminium honeycomb core with carbon fibre face sheet plies",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/aluminium-honeycomb-hexweb/"
    },
    {
      "id": "carbon-fibre",
      "name": "Carbon fiber and aluminum",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/carbon-fibre/"
    }
  ],
  "standards": [],
  "relations": [
    {
      "type": "built_on",
      "target": "Falcon 9",
      "target_slug": "spacex-falcon-9",
      "note": "first stage is three Falcon 9 first stages with strengthened cores; same second stage and fairing",
      "quote": "Falcon Heavy builds on the proven, highly reliable design of Falcon 9.",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Merlin 1D engine",
      "target_slug": "spacex-merlin-1d",
      "note": "27 on the first stage: nine on the centre core and nine on each of the two side boosters",
      "quote": "each booster and the core has nine Merlin 1D (M1D) engines",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacex.com/assets/media/falcon-users-guide-2025-05-09.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Merlin Vacuum engine (Merlin 1D vacuum variant)",
      "target_slug": "spacex-merlin-1d",
      "note": "one on the shared Falcon 9 second stage",
      "quote": "The upper stage is powered by a single Merlin 1D engine modified for vacuum operation",
      "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Arabsat-6A",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "communications satellite flown on the second Falcon Heavy",
      "quote": "the second Falcon Heavy placed the Arabsat-6A communications satellite",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "STP-2 (Space Test Program 2)",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "25 satellites flown on a Falcon Heavy",
      "quote": "placed 25 satellites into orbit, comprising the STP-2 payload",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "USSF-44 and USSF-67",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "US Space Force payloads on the fourth and fifth Falcon Heavy boosters",
      "quote": "the fourth and fifth Falcon Heavy boosters launched the USSF-44 and USSF-67 payloads",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Europa Clipper",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "planned Falcon Heavy launch (per NASA, February 2023)",
      "quote": "Europa Clipper will launch on a Falcon Heavy during a 21-day window in October 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "planned Falcon Heavy launch (per NASA, February 2023)",
      "quote": "A Falcon Heavy rocket will lift NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope no later than May 2027",
      "source_url": "https://www.nasa.gov/history/5-years-ago-first-flight-of-the-falcon-heavy-rocket/"
    }
  ],
  "not_published": "Falcon Heavy-specific structure (center core reinforcement, crossbeams) not sourced. More detail: SpaceX publishes no Falcon Heavy bill of materials; the centre-core crossbeam and reinforcement hardware, the side-booster nose-cone material and supplier, and the separation mechanism hardware (pneumatic pushers) construction are not described beyond the user guide wording. The NASA page used for the payload relations is dated February 2023, so 'planned' launches may have flown or moved since; no flight outcome is checked here. Quotes from the Falcon User's Guide (2025) and the NASA Commercial Crew press kit were machine-checked against the PDF text; Wikipedia and NASA web-page quotes came through a text extractor and were not machine-checked. Wikipedia is used for the nose-cone, interstage dimension, grid-fin count and vacuum-engine statements because the readable primary pages do not state them. More detail: SpaceX publishes no Falcon Heavy bill of materials; the centre-core crossbeam and reinforcement hardware, the side-booster nose-cone material and supplier, and the separation mechanism hardware (pneumatic pushers) construction are not described beyond the user guide wording. The NASA page used for the payload relations is dated February 2023, so 'planned' launches may have flown or moved since; no flight outcome is checked here. Quotes from the Falcon User's Guide (2025) and the NASA Commercial Crew press kit were machine-checked against the PDF text; Wikipedia and NASA web-page quotes came through a text extractor and were re-checked in a second fetch pass but not against a saved copy of the page. Wikipedia is used for the nose-cone, interstage dimension, grid-fin count and vacuum-engine statements because the readable primary pages do not state them.",
  "depth": "partial",
  "photos": [
    {
      "file": "products/context/spacex-falcon-heavy-1.jpg",
      "alt": "Falcon Heavy lifting off on its first (Demo) flight with a large cloud of exhaust, launch tower at left",
      "long": "Falcon Heavy lifting off on its first (Demo) flight with a large cloud of exhaust, launch tower at left",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "SpaceX | Falcon Heavy Demo Mission",
      "license": "CC0",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Falcon_Heavy_Demo_Mission_(39337245145).jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/spacex-falcon-heavy-2.jpg",
      "alt": "Falcon Heavy, horizontal on its transporter-erector beside the pad tower at Kennedy Space Center",
      "long": "Falcon Heavy, horizontal on its transporter-erector beside the pad tower at Kennedy Space Center",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "Daniel Oberhaus | Own work",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SpaceX_Falcon_Heavy_on_the_Launch_Pad.jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/spacex-falcon-heavy-3.jpg",
      "alt": "Falcon Heavy lifting off from Kennedy Space Center, seen across water with an exhaust cloud",
      "long": "Falcon Heavy lifting off from Kennedy Space Center, seen across water with an exhaust cloud",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "Frank Michaux | https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/28344141829/in/dateposted/",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Falcon_Heavy_liftoff_KSC20180260.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "context": {
    "size": [],
    "mass": [],
    "orbit": [
      "Low Earth orbit"
    ]
  },
  "licence": "Product data CC BY 4.0, cite Space Mushroom. Photos keep their own licences, given per photo.",
  "mcp": "https://spacemushroom.com/mcp"
}