Falcon Heavy

Falcon Heavy is a <a href="/facts/Super_heavy-lift_launch_vehicle/JSwbocv8">super heavy-lift launch vehicle</a> with <a href="/facts/Reusable_launch_vehicle/j0WC10op">partial reusability</a> that can carry cargo into Earth orbit and beyond. It is designed, manufactured and launched by American <a href="/facts/Aerospace_manufacturer/fdGwdY85">aerospace</a> company <a href="/facts/SpaceX/2tKHsVdJ">SpaceX</a>.
The rocket consists of a center core on which two <a href="/facts/Falcon_9/mNck6vby">Falcon 9</a> boosters are attached, and a second stage on top of the center core. Falcon Heavy has the second highest payload capacity of any currently operational launch vehicle behind <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a>'s <a href="/facts/Space_Launch_System/DbGCgH1W">Space Launch System</a> (SLS), and the fourth-highest capacity of any rocket to reach orbit, trailing behind the <a href="/facts/Space_Launch_System/DbGCgH1W">SLS</a>, <a href="/facts/Energia_(rocket)/snJSoyMA">Energia</a> and the <a href="/facts/Saturn_V/WhpUEFJM">Saturn V</a>.
SpaceX conducted <a href="/facts/Falcon_Heavy_test_flight/5EQLxWWy">Falcon Heavy's maiden launch</a> on 6 February 2018, at 20:45 <a href="/facts/Coordinated_Universal_Time/2EnjfSyu">UTC</a>. As a <a href="/facts/Boilerplate_(spaceflight)/eJ4BBdAN">dummy payload</a>, the rocket carried <a href="/facts/Elon_Musk%27s_Tesla_Roadster/PvqYhhlo">a Tesla Roadster</a> belonging to SpaceX founder <a href="/facts/Elon_Musk/GFgcp9Im">Elon Musk</a>, with a mannequin dubbed "Starman" in the driver's seat. The second Falcon Heavy launch occurred on 11 April 2019, and all three booster rockets successfully returned to <a href="/facts/Earth/HLLmDfj0">Earth</a>. The third Falcon Heavy launch successfully occurred on 25 June 2019. Since then, Falcon Heavy has been certified for the <a href="/facts/National_Security_Space_Launch/uIrh9NXV">National Security Space Launch</a> (NSSL) program.
Falcon Heavy was designed to be able to carry humans into space beyond <a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">low Earth orbit</a>, although as of February 2018<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Falcon_Heavy&action=edit">[update]</a>, SpaceX does not intend to transport people on Falcon Heavy, nor pursue the <a href="/facts/Human-rating_certification/JqkECqQv">human-rating certification</a> process to transport NASA <a href="/facts/Astronaut/HB1bd6Lz">astronauts</a>. Both Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 are expected to eventually be superseded by the <a href="/facts/SpaceX_Starship/zkm1P9kA">Starship</a> super-heavy lift launch vehicle, currently being developed.

Falcon Heavy open-in-new

Falcon Heavy