SpaceX Just Broke a Major Milestone in Commercial Space Travel – Futurism

In Brief

SpaceX conducted its first test of the Falcon Heavys main core this week, with a successful result. SpaceX took to Twitter to release the videoofthe event. The rocket itself was strapped down for the static fire test as the engines of the rockets boosters were ignited. The Falcon Heavy uses three Falcon 9 boosters to power its larger rocket, which SpaceX hopes will make commercial space travel a reality.

While the original plan was to have everything operational for carrying space travelers and cargo into orbit by 2013, the latest incarnation of the plan calls for a launch in late summer of 2017. This successful test may indicate that this date is possible, although the SpaceX subreddit lists the test flight in Q4.

Its possible that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and his team are waiting to see how much progress they make between now and then or that they just cant decide yet. However, as Inverse reports, since Musk tweeted the late summer date in March and the subreddit says something different now, its possible that theyve made the decision to push back the date even later, buthavent announced it yet.

The Falcon Heavy is essential to Musks plan to send two private citizens into orbit around the Moon by late 2018. The spacecraft will buzz low over the Moons surface, although it will not land, and then allow the Moons gravity to fling it back to Earth. This week-long adventure would be more than an amazing first for humanity it would also usher in era of commercial space travel.

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SpaceX Just Broke a Major Milestone in Commercial Space Travel - Futurism