SpaceX still eyeing fall launch for maiden flight of Falcon Heavy

An artist’s rendering of Falcon Heavy launching into space. Image Credit: SpaceX

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Recent reports that SpaceX’s inaugural flight of the Falcon Heavy would take place in the spring of next year (2017) don’t gel with what representatives at SpaceX have told SpaceFlight Insider. According to SpaceX, the NewSpace firm is still planning on launching the first of these powerful new rockets “… later this fall.”

SpaceX Stats has reported that the first flight of the Falcon Heavy would take place in April of next year (2017) and that there was a 39 percent chance of launching at that time. The site goes on to state that this will be SpaceX’s first launch of the year.

Seeking to confirm this date, SpaceFlight Insider reached out to SpaceX spokesperson John Taylor who informed us that the Falcon Heavy is currently slated to take to the skies later this fall.

At present, SpaceX, working under a 20-year lease with NASA, is renovating Kennedy Space Center’s historic Launch Complex 39A to support launches of the Falcon Heavy.

SpaceX has been kept busy in 2016 with eight successful launches having already been completed. Up next is the flight of the Amos 6, a 5.5 ton communications satellite that is currently slated for launch at 3 a.m. EDT (07:00 GMT) Sept. 3 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40.

Tagged: Falcon Heavy Kennedy Space Center Lead Stories SpaceX

Jason Rhian

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content for outlets such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.