The launch of Falcon Heavy launches a new precedent for manufacturing

By Sophie Chapman
On 6 February, the Falcon Heavy rocket was launched. The rocket was launched by SpaceX from Florida, and stands as the largest in the world, in regards...

On 6 February, the Falcon Heavy rocket was launched.

The rocket was launched by SpaceX from Florida, and stands as the largest in the world, in regards to payload.

The rocket is capable of lifting up to 63,800kg into Low Earth Orbit, having more than double the capacity of the second largest in the world – the Delta IV Heavy.

The rocket is likely to be used to travel military satellites to space, or extend further to the moon with less weight.

It is not only this world record that has set a new precedent for rocket manufacturing across the globe.

SEE ALSO:

The design features the ability to reuse all three of the rocket’s first stage cores, by finding and relaunching them.

The lack of waste can save on costs, which has been seen in the Falcon 9 rocket.

The Falcon Heavy was also considerably cheaper to launch than its competitors, costing US$90mn whilst the Delta IV Heavy is thought to have cost $400mn.

The technology was also significantly more cost-effective to develop than NSAS’s Space Launch System, for example, averaging approximately 10% of the price at $1bn to $10bn.

Share

Featured Articles

Norwegian weapons manufacturer hit by TikTok’s energy usage

Norwegian ammunition manufacturer Nammo is supporting Ukrainian defence, but its expansion is being jeopardised by TikTok, which uses available energy

Smart manufacturing can provide food packaging traceability

Jim Bresler, Director of Product Management at Plex, a Rockwell Automation company, on how smart manufacturing can provide food packaging traceability

How the Smart Out of Band solution can assist manufacturers

Last mile downtime in manufacturing requires smarter supply chain network remediation, says Alan Stewart-Brown, Vice President EMEA at Opengear

Manufacturing Digital news roundup: smart supply chains

Technology

Manufacturers shouldn’t overlook remote access security

Technology

Manufacturers struggle to keep supply chains resilient - BCG

Procurement & Supply Chain