View source for Engineering:Falcon Heavy

{{Short description|Orbital launch vehicle made by SpaceX}}
{{Infobox rocket
| name           = Falcon Heavy
| logo           = Falcon Heavy logo.svg
| logo_alt       = Falcon Heavy logo
| image          = Falcon Heavy Demo Mission (39337245145).jpg
| caption        = [[Engineering:Falcon Heavy test flight|Falcon Heavy test flight]] launch
| upright        = 1.25

| function       = [[Astronomy:Reusable launch system|Partially reusable]] [[Engineering:Heavy-lift launch vehicle|heavy-lift]]{{snd}}[[Engineering:Super heavy-lift launch vehicle|super heavy‑lift]] [[Engineering:Launch vehicle|launch vehicle]]
| manufacturer   = [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]
| country-origin = {{wipe|United States}}

| cpl = {{plainlist|
* Reusable: US$97 million (2022)<ref name=spacex-capabilities>{{cite web|url=https://www.spacex.com/media/Capabilities&Services.pdf |title=Capabilities & Services|publisher=SpaceX|year=2022|access-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322170331/https://www.spacex.com/media/Capabilities&Services.pdf|archive-date=March 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Expendable: US$150 million (2017)<ref name=cnbc-20180212>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/12/elon-musk-spacex-falcon-heavy-costs-150-million-at-most.html |title=Elon Musk says the new SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket crushes its competition on cost|first=Michael|last=Sheetz|publisher=CNBC|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=May 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703075838/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/12/elon-musk-spacex-falcon-heavy-costs-150-million-at-most.html|archive-date=July 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
| height         = {{cvt|70|m}}<ref name="sxfh">{{cite web|title=Falcon Heavy|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=April 22, 2023|archive-date=30 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430094111/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| diameter       = {{cvt|3.66|m}} (each booster)
| width          = {{cvt|12.2|m}}
| mass           = {{cvt|1420|t|lb}}
| stages         = 2.5

|capacities = {{Infobox rocket/payload
  | location     = [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|low Earth orbit]]
  | inclination  = 28.5°
  | mass         = {{cvt|63.8|t|lb}} (theoretical)<ref name="sxfh"/>
  }}

  {{Infobox rocket/payload
  | location     = [[Engineering:Geosynchronous transfer orbit|geosynchronous transfer orbit]]
  | inclination  = 27.0°
  | kilos        = {{cvt|26.7|t|lb}}<ref name="sxfh"/>
  }}

  {{Infobox rocket/payload
  | location     = Mars transfer orbit
  | kilos        = {{cvt|16.8|t|lb}}<ref name="sxfh"/>
  }}

  {{Infobox rocket/payload
  | location     = [[Astronomy:Hohmann transfer orbit#Application to interplanetary travel|Pluto]]
  | kilos        = {{cvt|3.5|t|lb}}<ref name="sxfh"/>
  }}

| derived_from   = [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]]
| comparable     = {{flatlist|
* [[Engineering:Delta IV Heavy|Delta IV Heavy]]
* [[Astronomy:New Glenn|New Glenn]]
* [[Astronomy:Saturn C-3|Saturn C-3]]
* [[Astronomy:Space Launch System|Space Launch System]]
* Vulcan Centaur
}}
| status         = Active
|sites           = {{plainlist|
* Kennedy Space Center, [[Astronomy:Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]]
* {{wipe|Vandenberg Air Force Base}}, SLC-6 (future)
}}
| launches       = 9
| success        = 9
| landings       = {{unbulleted list|1 center core landed (lost at sea) / 3 attempted| 14 side boosters landed / 14 attempted}} <!-- UPDATE after each launch -->
| first          =[[Engineering:Falcon Heavy test flight|6 February 2018]]<ref name=cbs-harwood/>

|stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/stage
  | type         = booster
  | number       = 2
  | engines      = 18 total, 9 Merlin 1D per booster<ref name="sxfh"/>
  | thrust       = {{plainlist|
* '''Sea level:''' {{cvt|770|t-f|MN lbf|order=flip}} (each)
* '''Vacuum:''' {{cvt|840|t-f|MN lbf|order=flip}} (each)
}}
  | total        = {{plainlist|
'''Sea level:''' {{cvt|1550|t-f|MN lbf|order=flip}}
'''Vacuum:''' {{cvt|1670|t-f|MN lbf|order=flip}}
}}
  | SI           = {{plainlist|
* '''Sea level:''' {{cvt|282|isp|km/s}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Falcon 9|url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon9|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501002858/http://www.spacex.com/falcon9|archive-date=May 1, 2013|date=November 16, 2012}}</ref>
* '''Vacuum''': {{cvt|311|isp|km/s}}<ref name=msF9Study>{{cite web|last1=Ahmad |first1= Taseer|last2=Ammar |first2= Ahmed|last3=Kamara |first3= Ahmed|last4=Lim |first4= Gabriel|last5=Magowan |first5= Caitlin|last6=Todorova |first6= Blaga|last7=Tse |first7= Yee Cheung|last8=White |first8= Tom |title=The Mars Society Inspiration Mars International Student Design Competition|url=http://members.marssociety.org/inspiration-mars/honorablementions/Spectre%20Mars_UnivOfGlasgow.pdf |website=Mars Society|access-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045404/http://members.marssociety.org/inspiration-mars/honorablementions/Spectre%20Mars_UnivOfGlasgow.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
  | burntime     = 154.3 seconds
  }}
  {{Infobox rocket/stage
  | type         = stage
  | stageno      = First
  | engines      = 9 Merlin 1D<ref name="sxfh"/>
  | thrust       = {{plainlist|
* '''Sea level:''' {{cvt|770|t-f|MN lbf|order=flip}}
* '''Vacuum:''' {{cvt|840|t-f|MN lbf|order=flip}}
}}
  | SI           = {{plainlist|
* '''Sea level:''' {{cvt|282|isp|km/s}}
* '''Vacuum:''' {{cvt|311|isp|km/s}}}}
  | burntime     = 187 seconds
  | fuel         = Subcooled LOX / Chilled RP-1
  }}

  {{Infobox rocket/stage
  | type         = stage
  | stageno      = Second
  | engines      = 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum<ref name="sxfh"/>
  | thrust       = {{cvt|95.2|t-f|kN lbf|order=flip}}
  | SI           = {{cvt|348|isp|km/s}}
  | burntime     = 397 seconds
  | fuel         = LOX / RP-1
  }}
|last=29 December 2023<!--- Note This Only For last flight -->
}}

'''Falcon Heavy''' is a partially [[Astronomy:Reusable launch vehicle|reusable]] [[Engineering:Super heavy-lift launch vehicle|super heavy-lift launch vehicle]]<ref group="lower-alpha">In some reusable configurations, it is heavy lift.</ref> that can carry cargo into Earth orbit, and beyond. It is designed, manufactured and launched by American [[Earth:Aerospace manufacturer|aerospace]] company [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]. 

The rocket consists of a center core on which two [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]] boosters are attached, and a second stage on top of the center core.<ref name="sxf9o20100508" /> Falcon Heavy has the second highest payload capacity of any currently operational launch vehicle behind [[Organization:NASA|NASA]]'s [[Astronomy:Space Launch System|Space Launch System]] (SLS), and the fourth-highest capacity of any rocket to reach orbit, trailing behind the [[Astronomy:Space Launch System|SLS]], Energia and the [[Engineering:Saturn V|Saturn V]].

SpaceX conducted [[Engineering:Falcon Heavy test flight|Falcon Heavy's maiden launch]] on 6 February 2018, at 20:45 [[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]].<ref name=cbs-harwood/> As a [[Engineering:Boilerplate (spaceflight)|dummy payload]], the rocket carried [[Engineering:Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster|a Tesla Roadster]] belonging to SpaceX founder [[Biography:Elon Musk|Elon Musk]], with a mannequin dubbed "Starman" in the driver's seat.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news |title=Elon Musk's huge Falcon Heavy rocket set for launch|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42950957|access-date=February 6, 2018|work=BBC News|date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206061814/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42950957|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The second Falcon Heavy launch occurred on 11 April 2019, and all three booster rockets successfully returned to [[Astronomy:Earth|Earth]].<ref>{{citation|last=SpaceX |title=Arabsat-6A Mission|date=August 10, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXMGu2d8c8g|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411223155/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXMGu2d8c8g|archive-date=April 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The third Falcon Heavy launch successfully occurred on 25 June 2019. Since then, Falcon Heavy has been certified for the [[Engineering:National Security Space Launch|National Security Space Launch]] (NSSL) program.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Erwin|first1=Sandra |title=Air Force certified Falcon Heavy for national security launch but more work needed to meet required orbits|date=21 September 2019|url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-certified-falcon-heavy-for-national-security-launch-but-more-work-needed-to-meet-required-orbits/|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=September 22, 2019|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20210427122608/https://spacenews.com/air%2Dforce%2Dcertified%2Dfalcon%2Dheavy%2Dfor%2Dnational%2Dsecurity%2Dlaunch%2Dbut%2Dmore%2Dwork%2Dneeded%2Dto%2Dmeet%2Drequired%2Dorbits/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Falcon Heavy was designed to be able to carry humans into space beyond [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|low Earth orbit]], although {{as of|2018|2|lc=y}}, SpaceX does not intend to transport people on Falcon Heavy, nor pursue the [[Astronomy:Human-rating certification|human-rating certification]] process to transport [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] [[Astronaut|astronaut]]s.<ref name="wsj">{{cite news|last1=Pasztor|first1=Andy |title=Elon Musk Says SpaceX's New Falcon Heavy Rocket Unlikely to Carry Astronauts|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-says-spacexs-new-falcon-heavy-rocket-unlikely-to-carry-astronauts-1517876582?mod=rss_Technology|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206172108/https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-says-spacexs-new-falcon-heavy-rocket-unlikely-to-carry-astronauts-1517876582?mod=rss_Technology|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Both Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 are expected to eventually be superseded by the [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship|Starship]] launch system, currently being developed.<ref name="sn20170929">{{cite news |first=Jeff|last=Foust|url=http://spacenews.com/musk-unveils-revised-version-of-giant-interplanetary-launch-system/ |title=Musk unveils revised version of giant interplanetary launch system|publisher=SpaceNews |date=September 29, 2017|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171008075705/http://spacenews.com/musk-unveils-revised-version-of-giant-interplanetary-launch-system/|archive-date=October 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:SpaceX breaks ground at Vandenberg Air Force Base.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|SpaceX breaking ground at Vandenberg Air Force Base, SLC-4E in June 2011 for the Falcon Heavy launch pad]]

Concepts for a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle using three [[Engineering:Falcon 1|Falcon 1]] core boosters, with an approximate payload-to-LEO capacity of two tons,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hobbyspace.com/AAdmin/archive/Interviews/Systems/ElonMusk.html |title=An Interview with Elon Musk|publisher=HobbySpace|date=August 25, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212192921/https://hobbyspace.com/AAdmin/archive/Interviews/Systems/ElonMusk.html|archive-date=February 12, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> were initially discussed as early as 2003.<ref>{{cite conference|last1=Musk|first1=Elon|last2=Koenigsmann|first2=Hans|last3=Gurevich|first3=Gwynne|url=https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1745&context=smallsat |title=The Falcon Launch Vehicle – An Attempt at Making Access to Space More Affordable, Reliable and Pleasant|location=Logan, Utah|conference=17th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites|publisher=Utah State University|date=August 14, 2003|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614225022/https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1745&context=smallsat|url-status=live}}</ref> The concept for three core booster stages of the company's as-yet-unflown [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]] was referred to in 2005 as the ''Falcon 9 Heavy''.<ref name=nsf20051010>{{cite web|last=Gaskill|first=Braddock |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2005/10/spacex-reveals-falcon-1-halloween-date/ |title=SpaceX reveals Falcon 1 Halloween date|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131093831/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2005/10/spacex-reveals-falcon-1-halloween-date/|archive-date=January 31, 2019|url-status=live|date=October 10, 2005|access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

SpaceX unveiled the plan for the Falcon Heavy to the public at a [[Place:Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C.]], news conference in April 2011, with an initial test flight expected in 2013.<ref name=sfn20110405>{{cite news|last=Clark |first=Stephen|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1104/05falconheavy/ |title=SpaceX enters the realm of heavy-lift rocketry|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823003145/http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1104/05falconheavy/|archive-date=August 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

A number of factors delayed the planned maiden flight to 2018, including two anomalies with Falcon 9 launch vehicles, which required all engineering resources to be dedicated to failure analysis, halting flight operations for many months. The integration and structural challenges of combining three Falcon 9 cores were much more difficult than expected.<ref name=sdc20170720>{{cite web|last=Wall |first=Mike|url=https://www.space.com/37550-elon-musk-spacex-falcon-heavy-maiden-launch.html |title=SpaceX's Big New Rocket May Crash on 1st Flight, Elon Musk Says|publisher=Space.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721210130/https://www.space.com/37550-elon-musk-spacex-falcon-heavy-maiden-launch.html|archive-date=July 21, 2017|url-status=live|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref>

In July 2017, Elon Musk said, "It actually ended up being way harder to do Falcon Heavy than we thought. ... We were pretty naive about that".<ref name="issR&Dconf20170719-36:00">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqvBhhTtUm4?t=852 |title=Elon Musk, ISS R&D Conference |date=July 19, 2017 |last=Musk |first=Elon |medium=video |language=en-us |location=ISS R&D Conference, Washington D.C., U.S. |time=36:00–39:50 |access-date=February 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/BqvBhhTtUm4 |archive-date=2021-11-13 |url-status=live |quote=There is a lot of risk associated with the Falcon Heavy. There is a real good chance that the vehicle does not make it to orbit ... I hope it makes far enough away from the pad that it does not cause pad damage. I would consider even that a win, to be honest. ... I think Falcon Heavy is going to be a great vehicle. There is just so much that is really impossible to test on the ground. We'll do our best. ... It actually ended up being way harder to do Falcon Heavy than we thought. At first it sounds real easy; you just stick two first stages on as strap-on boosters. How hard can that be? But then everything changes. [the loads change, aerodynamics totally change, tripled vibration and acoustics, you break the qualification levels on all the hardware, redesign the center core airframe, separation systems] ... Really way, way more difficult than we originally thought. We were pretty naive about that. ... but optimized, its 2 1/2 times the payload capability of Falcon 9. |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The initial test flight for the first Falcon Heavy lifted off on 6 February 2018, at 20:45 UTC, carrying its dummy payload, [[Engineering:Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster|Elon Musk's personal Tesla Roadster]], beyond Mars orbit.<ref name=cbs-harwood>{{cite news|first=William|last=Harwood |title=SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch puts on spectacular show in maiden flight|work=CBS News|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-spectacular-maiden-flight/|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206230140/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-spectacular-maiden-flight/|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Conception and funding ===
Musk first mentioned Falcon Heavy in a September 2005 news update, referring to a customer request from 18 months prior.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Musk|first1=Elon |title=June 2005 through September 2005 Update |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2005/12/19/june-2005-december-2005|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=June 24, 2017|date=December 20, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704185552/http://www.spacex.com/news/2005/12/19/june-2005-december-2005|archive-date=July 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Various solutions using the planned [[Engineering:Falcon 5|Falcon 5]] (which was never flown) had been explored, but the only cost-effective, reliable iteration was one that used a 9-engine first stage—the Falcon 9. The Falcon Heavy was developed with [[Engineering:Private spaceflight|private]] capital with Musk stating that the cost was more than US$500 million. No government financing was provided for its development.<ref name="tsr20140310">{{cite journal |last=Boozer |first=R. D. |date=March 10, 2014 |title=Rocket reusability: a driver of economic growth |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2466/1 |url-status=live |journal=The Space Review |volume=2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406202450/http://thespacereview.com/article/2466/1 |archive-date=April 6, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2014}}</ref>

=== Design and development ===
[[File:F9 and Heavy visu.png|thumb|left|upright=1.1|From left to right, Falcon 1, Falcon 9 v1.0, three versions of Falcon 9 v1.1, three versions of Falcon 9 v1.2 (Full Thrust), three versions of Falcon 9 Block 5, '''Falcon Heavy''' and Falcon Heavy Block 5]]
The Falcon Heavy design is based on [[Engineering:Falcon 9#Development, production, and testing history|Falcon 9]]'s fuselage and engines. By 2008, SpaceX had been aiming for the first launch of Falcon 9 in 2009, while "Falcon 9 Heavy would be in a couple of years". Speaking at the 2008 [[Organization:Mars Society|Mars Society]] Conference, Musk also indicated that he expected a hydrogen-fueled upper stage would follow two to three years later (which would have been around 2013).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Musk|first1=Elon |title=Transcript – Elon Musk on the future of SpaceX|url=http://shitelonsays.com/transcript/elon-musk-on-the-future-of-spacex-2008-08-23 |website=shitelonsays.com|access-date=June 24, 2017|location=Mars Society Conference, Boulder Colorado|date=August 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315172412/http://shitelonsays.com/transcript/elon-musk-on-the-future-of-spacex-2008-08-23|archive-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

By April 2011, the capabilities and performance of the Falcon 9 vehicle were better understood, SpaceX having completed two successful demonstration missions to [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|low Earth orbit]] (LEO), one of which included [[Engineering:SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1#Second stage|reignition of the second-stage engine]]. At a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on 5 April 2011, Musk stated that Falcon Heavy would "carry more payload to orbit or [[Astronomy:Escape velocity|escape velocity]] than any vehicle in history, apart from the [[Engineering:Saturn V|Saturn V]] Moon rocket ... and Soviet Energia rocket".<ref name=PR-20110815/> In the same year, with the expected increase in demand for both variants, SpaceX announced plans to expand manufacturing capacity "as we build towards the capability of producing a Falcon 9 first stage or Falcon Heavy side booster every week and an upper stage every two weeks".<ref name=PR-20110815>{{cite press release |title=F9/Dragon: Preparing for ISS |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/02/09/f9dragon-preparing-iss|publisher=SpaceX|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115070932/http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/02/09/f9dragon-preparing-iss|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, SpaceX announced a number of changes to the Falcon Heavy rocket, worked in parallel to the [[Engineering:Falcon 9 Full Thrust|upgrade of the Falcon 9 v1.1]] launch vehicle.<ref name=sn20150320>{{cite news |last1=de Selding|first1=Peter B. |title=SpaceX Aims To Debut New Version of Falcon 9 this Summer|url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-aims-to-debut-new-version-of-falcon-9-this-summer/|access-date=March 23, 2015 |publisher=SpaceNews|date=March 20, 2015}}</ref> In December 2016, SpaceX released a photo showing the Falcon Heavy interstage at the company headquarters in Hawthorne, California.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BOkwrgQAmI8/ |title=Falcon Heavy interstage being prepped at the rocket factory. When FH flies next year, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two|date=December 28, 2016|author=SpaceX|publisher=Instagram|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203125723/https://www.instagram.com/p/BOkwrgQAmI8/|archive-date=December 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Testing ===
By May 2013, a new, partly underground test stand was being built at the SpaceX Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas, specifically to test the triple cores and twenty-seven rocket engines of the Falcon Heavy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Falcon Heavy Test Stand|url=http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=31.398033&lon=-97.463373&z=19&m=b&show=/27437928/Falcon-Heavy-Test-Stand |access-date=May 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826041141/http://www.wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=31.398033&lon=-97.463373&z=19&m=b&show=/27437928/Falcon-Heavy-Test-Stand|archive-date=August 26, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> By May 2017, SpaceX conducted the first static fire test of flight-design Falcon Heavy center core at the McGregor facility.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Berger|first1=Eric |title=SpaceX proves Falcon Heavy is indeed a real rocket with a test firing|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/05/spacex-releases-video-of-falcon-heavy-core-test-firing/|access-date=May 9, 2017|publisher=Ars Technica |date=May 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509211329/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/05/spacex-releases-video-of-falcon-heavy-core-test-firing/|archive-date=May 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=SpaceX|number=862017305911320577 |title=First static fire test of a Falcon Heavy center core completed at our McGregor, TX rocket development facility last week. |access-date=May 13, 2017|date=May 9, 2017}}</ref>

In July 2017, Musk discussed publicly the challenges of testing a complex launch vehicle like the three-core Falcon Heavy, indicating that a large extent of the new design "is really impossible to test on the ground" and could not be effectively tested independent of actual [[Engineering:Flight test|flight test]]s.<ref name=issR&Dconf20170719-36:00 />

By September 2017, all three first stage cores had completed their static fire tests on the ground test stand.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=SpaceX|number=903820580012474369 |title=Falcon Heavy's 3 first stage cores have all completed testing at our rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> The first Falcon Heavy static fire test was conducted on 24 January 2018.<ref name="staticfireverge"/>

=== Maiden flight ===
{{Main|Engineering:Falcon Heavy test flight}}

In April 2011, Musk was planning for a first launch of Falcon Heavy from {{wipe|Vandenberg Air Force Base}}, California on the United States west coast in 2013.<ref name=PR-20110815/><ref name=reut20110405>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/space-business-rocket-idUSN0513302920110405 |title=U.S. SpaceX to build heavy-lift, low-cost rocket|access-date=April 5, 2011 |date=April 5, 2011|work=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408045714/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/05/space-business-rocket-idUSN0513302920110405|archive-date=April 8, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> SpaceX refurbished Launch Complex 4E at {{wipe|Vandenberg Air Force Base}} to accommodate Falcon 9 and Heavy. The first launch from the Cape Canaveral, Florida east coast launch complex was planned for late 2013 or 2014.<ref name=PR-20110405>{{cite press release |title=SpaceX announces launch date for the world's most powerful rocket|url=http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-announces-launch-date-worlds-most-powerful-rocket|publisher=SpaceX|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=July 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728161642/http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-announces-launch-date-worlds-most-powerful-rocket|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due partly to the failure of [[Engineering:SpaceX CRS-7|SpaceX CRS-7]] in June 2015, SpaceX rescheduled the maiden Falcon Heavy flight in September 2015 to occur no earlier than April 2016.<ref name=sn20150902>{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff |title=First Falcon Heavy Launch Scheduled for Spring|url=http://spacenews.com/first-falcon-heavy-launch-scheduled-for-spring/|access-date=September 3, 2015|publisher=SpaceNews|date=September 2, 2015|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20170902194426/http://spacenews.com/first%2Dfalcon%2Dheavy%2Dlaunch%2Dscheduled%2Dfor%2Dspring/|url-status=live}}</ref> The flight was to be launched from the refurbished [[Astronomy:Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A]].<ref name="Falcon Heavy 2015 Launch">{{cite web |title=Launch Schedule|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101234452/http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/|archive-date=January 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-seeks-to-accelerate-falcon-9-production-and-launch-rates-this-year/ |title=SpaceX seeks to accelerate Falcon 9 production and launch rates this year|publisher=SpaceNews|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160209152801/http://spacenews.com/spacex-seeks-to-accelerate-falcon-9-production-and-launch-rates-this-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> The flight was postponed again to late 2016, early 2017,<ref name="nsf-20160809">{{cite news|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/pad-changes-new-era-space-coast/ |title=Pad hardware changes preview new era for Space Coast|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|first=Chris|last=Bergin|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817040321/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/08/pad-changes-new-era-space-coast/|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> summer 2017,<ref name="red dragon 2020">{{cite news |title=SpaceX is pushing back the target launch date for its first Mars mission|date=February 17, 2017|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/17/14652026/spacex-red-dragon-spacecraft-mars-mission-2020|publisher=The Verge|access-date=February 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914083605/https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/17/14652026/spacex-red-dragon-spacecraft-mars-mission-2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> late 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ |title=Launch Schedule|publisher=Spaceflight Now|last=Clark|first=Stephen |date=October 14, 2017|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224185459/http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/|archive-date=December 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and finally to February 2018.<ref name="sfn_fh_january">{{Cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/11/28/debut-of-spacexs-falcon-heavy-rocket-now-planned-in-january/ |title=Debut of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket now planned early next year|website=spaceflightnow.com|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201000049/https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/11/28/debut-of-spacexs-falcon-heavy-rocket-now-planned-in-january/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

At a July 2017 meeting of the International Space Station Research and Development meeting in [[Place:Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C.]], Musk downplayed expectations for the success of the maiden flight:
<blockquote>There's a real good chance the vehicle won't make it to orbit ... I hope it makes it far enough away from the pad that it does not cause pad damage. I would consider even that a win, to be honest.<ref name=issR&Dconf20170719-36:00/></blockquote>

In December 2017, Musk tweeted that the dummy payload on the maiden Falcon Heavy launch would be [[Engineering:Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster|his personal Tesla Roadster]] playing David Bowie's "Space Oddity" (though the song actually used for the launch was "Life on Mars"), and that it would be launched into an [[Astronomy:Heliocentric orbit|orbit around the Sun]] that will reach the orbit of [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]].<ref name='P Plait'>{{cite web|last1=Plait|first1=Phil |title=Elon Musk: On the Roadster to Mars|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/elon-musk-on-the-roadster-to-mars|publisher=Syfy Wire|access-date=December 7, 2017|date=December 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061444/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/elon-musk-on-the-roadster-to-mars|archive-date=December 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=sn20171202>{{cite web |url=http://spacenews.com/musk-says-tesla-car-will-fly-on-first-falcon-heavy-launch/ |title=Musk says Tesla car will fly on first Falcon Heavy launch|publisher=SpaceNews.com|date=December 2, 2017|access-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171203052136/http://spacenews.com/musk-says-tesla-car-will-fly-on-first-falcon-heavy-launch/|archive-date=December 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He released pictures in the following days.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Knapp|first1=Alex |title=Elon Musk Shows Off Photos of a Tesla Roadster Getting Prepped to Go to Mars
|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2017/12/22/elon-musk-shows-off-photos-of-tesla-roadster-prepped-to-go-to-mars/#54f169f47cbb|work=Forbes|access-date=December 23, 2017|date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223005903/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2017/12/22/elon-musk-shows-off-photos-of-tesla-roadster-prepped-to-go-to-mars/#54f169f47cbb|archive-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The car had three cameras attached to provide "epic views".<ref name=bbc/>

On December 28, 2017, the Falcon Heavy was moved to the launch pad in preparation of a static fire test of all 27 engines, which was expected on 19 January 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2018/01/17/updates-spacex-targeting-falcon-heavy-test-fire-ksc-florida-before-launch/1041353001/ |title=SpaceX Falcon Heavy status updates: Now targeting Friday for test fire at KSC|last=Kelly|first=Emre|date=January 17, 2018|newspaper=Florida Today|access-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104040936/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2018/01/17/updates-spacex-targeting-falcon-heavy-test-fire-ksc-florida-before-launch/1041353001/|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, due to the U.S. government shutdown that began on 20 January 2018, the testing and launch were further delayed.<ref>{{citation|first=Loren|last=Grush|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/22/16918464/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-static-fire-delayed-shutdown |title=Shutdown means SpaceX can't test its Falcon Heavy rocket, creating further delays|date=January 22, 2018|publisher=The Verge|access-date=January 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122205914/https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/22/16918464/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-static-fire-delayed-shutdown|archive-date=January 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The static fire test was conducted on 24 January 2018.<ref name="staticfireverge">{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/24/16841580/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-static-fire-first-launch |title=SpaceX performs crucial test fire of Falcon Heavy, potentially paving way for launch|publisher=The Verge|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124200841/https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/24/16841580/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-static-fire-first-launch|archive-date=January 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|first=Dennis|last=Kapatos |title=01/24/2018 – Historic Falcon 9 Heavy Test Fire!|date=January 24, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuXHriwQB9g|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124180829/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuXHriwQB9g|archive-date=January 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Musk confirmed via [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]] that the test "was good" and later announced the rocket would be launched on 6 February 2018.<ref name=elon_tweet_27jan>{{cite tweet|user=elonmusk|number=957361443023695872|date=January 27, 2018 |title=Aiming for first flight of Falcon Heavy on February 6 from Apollo launchpad 39A at Cape Kennedy. Easy viewing from the public causeway.}}</ref>

[[File:Falcon Heavy Demo Mission (40126461851).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|[[Engineering:Falcon Heavy test flight|Maiden launch of the Falcon Heavy]]]]
On 6 February 2018, after a delay of over two hours due to high winds,<ref name=spax_tween_06feb>{{cite tweet|user=SpaceX|number=960948676557352960|date=February 6, 2018 |title=Continue to monitor the upper level wind shear. New T-0 is 3:45 p.m. EST, 20:45 UTC.}}</ref> Falcon Heavy lifted off at 20:45 UTC.<ref name=cbs-harwood/> Its side boosters landed safely on Landing Zones 1 and 2 a few minutes later.<ref name=elon_tweet_06feb>{{cite tweet|user=elonmusk|number=960980119312453632|date=February 6, 2018 |title=Falcon Heavy side cores have landed at SpaceX's Landing Zones 1 and 2.}}</ref> However, only one of the three engines on the center booster that were intended to restart ignited during descent, causing the booster to be destroyed upon impacting the ocean at a speed of over {{cvt|480|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gizmodo.com/spacex-recovered-the-falcon-heavys-two-boosters-but-it-1822788896 |title=SpaceX Landed the Falcon Heavy's Two Boosters, But Its Core Clipped Its Drone Ship at 300 MPH|work=Gizmodo |access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207120708/https://gizmodo.com/spacex-recovered-the-falcon-heavys-two-boosters-but-it-1822788896|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/6/16980954/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-middle-core-failed-landing |title=The middle booster of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket failed to land on its drone ship|publisher=The Verge|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207011823/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/6/16980954/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-middle-core-failed-landing|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Initially, Elon Musk tweeted that the Roadster had overshot its planned [[Astronomy:Heliocentric orbit|heliocentric orbit]], and would reach the [[Astronomy:Asteroid belt|asteroid belt]]. Later, observations by telescopes showed that the Roadster would only slightly exceed the orbit of Mars at aphelion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/6/16983744/spacex-tesla-falcon-heavy-roadster-orbit-asteroid-belt-elon-musk-mars |title=Elon Musk's Tesla overshot Mars' orbit, but it won't reach the asteroid belt as claimed|publisher=The Verge|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208180617/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/6/16983744/spacex-tesla-falcon-heavy-roadster-orbit-asteroid-belt-elon-musk-mars|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Later flights ===
[[File:KSC-20190624-PH_KLS01_0056.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Falcon Heavy built to Falcon 9 Block 5 specifications on the launch pad in June 2019]]
A year after the successful demo flight, SpaceX had signed five commercial contracts worth US$500–750 million, meaning that it had managed to cover the development cost of the rocket.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/13/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-one-year-later-business-case.html |title=A year after the colossal SpaceX rocket's debut, Falcon Heavy has 'high value' uses – despite skepticism|website={{wipe|CNBC}}|date=8 February 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102202708/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/13/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-one-year-later-business-case.html|archive-date=November 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The second flight, and first commercial one, occurred on 11 April 2019,<ref name="Cooper">{{cite web |title=SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch with Arabsat reset for Tuesday|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/04/05/SpaceX-Falcon-Heavy-launch-with-Arabsat-reset-for-Tuesday/4451554466792/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412223117/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/04/05/SpaceX-Falcon-Heavy-launch-with-Arabsat-reset-for-Tuesday/4451554466792/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|access-date=April 12, 2019|agency=UPI}}</ref> launching [[Engineering:Arabsat-6A|Arabsat-6A]], with all three boosters landing successfully for the first time.

The third flight occurred on 25 June 2019, launching the [[Organization:Space Test Program|STP-2]] (DoD Space Test Program) payload.<ref name="Cooper"/> The payload was composed of 25 small spacecraft.<ref name="STP2 payload"/> Operational [[Astronomy:Geostationary transfer orbit|Geostationary transfer orbit]] (GTO) missions for [[Company:Intelsat|Intelsat]] and [[Company:Inmarsat|Inmarsat]], which were planned for late 2017, were moved to the [[Engineering:Falcon 9 Full Thrust|Falcon 9 Full Thrust]] rocket version as it had become powerful enough to lift those heavy payloads in its expendable configuration.<ref name="sfn-20160830"/><ref name="sn-20161103"/> In June 2022, the U.S. Space Force certified Falcon Heavy for launching its top secret satellites, with the first such launch being USSF-44 which happened at 1 November 2022;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=2022-11-01 |title=SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket returns to flight after three years |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/business/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-ussf-44-scn/index.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101141012/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/business/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-ussf-44-scn/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the second of which being USSF-67,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-ussf-67-mission-success |title=SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launches classified mission for US Space Force |website=Space.com |date=15 January 2023 |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116014741/https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-ussf-67-mission-success |url-status=live }}</ref> which was launched 11 weeks after USSF-44. ViaSat selected the Falcon Heavy in late 2018 for the launch of its [[Engineering:ViaSat-3|ViaSat-3]] satellite which was scheduled to launch in the 2020–2022 timeframe;<ref>https://investors.viasat.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viasat-spacex-enter-contract-future-viasat-3-satellite-launch </ref> however it would not launch until 1 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.viasat.com/newsroom/press-releases/viasat-3-americas-successfully-launched|title=ViaSat-3 Americas Successfully Launched|date=1 May 2023|website=viasat.com}}</ref> On 13 October 2023, Falcon Heavy embarked on its 8th flight carrying NASA's [[Engineering:Psyche (spacecraft)|Psyche]] probe to the asteroid [[Astronomy:16 Psyche|16 Psyche]]. This mission only had the side boosters return to Earth with the center core expended, a decision made to create more tolerable margins for the mission.

Following the announcement of NASA's [[Astronomy:Artemis program|Artemis program]] of returning humans to the Moon, the Falcon Heavy rocket has been mentioned several times as an alternative to the expensive [[Astronomy:Space Launch System|Space Launch System]] (SLS) program, but NASA decided to exclusively use SLS to launch the Orion capsule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/nasa-head-rules-out-spacex-rockets-for-2024-moon-mission/ |title=NASA head rules out SpaceX rockets for 2024 moon mission |access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712164252/https://www.cnet.com/news/nasa-head-rules-out-spacex-rockets-for-2024-moon-mission/|publisher=CNET|archive-date=July 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name='Commercial LVs'>{{cite web|last=Grush|first=Loren|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/18/18629403/nasa-artemis-moon-program-funds-hardware-apollo-11-anniversary |title=NASA's daunting to-do list for sending people back to the Moon|publisher=The Verge|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207085513/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/18/18629403/nasa-artemis-moon-program-funds-hardware-apollo-11-anniversary|archive-date=December 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Falcon Heavy will support commercial missions for the Artemis program,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/10/as-nasa-tries-to-land-on-the-moon-it-has-plenty-of-rockets-to-choose-from/ |title=As NASA tries to land on the Moon, it has plenty of rockets to choose from|date=10 October 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102202710/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/10/as-nasa-tries-to-land-on-the-moon-it-has-plenty-of-rockets-to-choose-from/|archive-date=November 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> since it will be used to transport the [[Engineering:Dragon XL|Dragon XL]] spacecraft to the [[Astronomy:Lunar Gateway|Lunar Gateway]]. It was also selected to launch the first two elements of the Lunar Gateway, the [[Astronomy:Power and Propulsion Element|Power and Propulsion Element]] (PPE), and the [[Astronomy:Habitation and Logistics Outpost|Habitation and Logistics Outpost]] (HALO), on a single launch no earlier than 2025,<ref name="nasa-20210709">{{Cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Brian |date=2023-12-18 |title=Gateway |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission/gateway |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=NASA}}</ref> and to launch NASA's [[Engineering:VIPER (rover)|VIPER]] rover aboard [[Company:Astrobotic Technology|Astrobotic Technology]]'s Griffin lander as part of the Artemis Program's [[Astronomy:Commercial Lunar Payload Services|Commercial Lunar Payload Services]] (CLPS) initiative.<ref>{{cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/astrobotic-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasas-viper-lunar-rover/|title=Astrobotic selects Falcon Heavy to launch NASA's VIPER lunar rover|publisher=SpaceNews|date=13 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210419082626/https://spacenews.com/astrobotic-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasas-viper-lunar-rover/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:Falcon Heavy cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Falcon Heavy on pad LC-39A]]

Falcon Heavy consists of a structurally strengthened Falcon 9 as the "core" component, with two additional [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]] first stages with aerodynamic nose–cones mounted outboard serving as [[Engineering:Modular rocket|strap-on boosters]],<ref name=sxf9o20100508>{{cite news|url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon9 |title=Falcon 9 Overview|date=May 8, 2010|publisher=SpaceX|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805175724/http://www.spacex.com/falcon9|archive-date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> conceptually similar to [[Engineering:Delta IV Heavy|Delta IV Heavy]] launcher and proposals for the [[Engineering:Atlas V#Atlas V Heavy|Atlas V Heavy]] and Russian [[Engineering:Angara (rocket family)#Angara A5|Angara A5V]]. This triple first stage carries a standard Falcon 9 second stage, which in turn carries the payload in a fairing. Falcon Heavy has the second highest lift capability of any operational rocket, with a payload of {{cvt|63800|kg}} to low Earth orbit, {{cvt|26700|kg}} to Geostationary Transfer Orbit, and {{cvt|16800|kg}} to [[Astronomy:Heliocentric orbit#Trans-Mars injection|trans-Mars injection]].<ref name="Capabilities & Services">{{cite web|date=2020 |title=Falcon Heavy Overview|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/|access-date=August 12, 2020|publisher=SpaceX|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617035534/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/|url-status=live}}</ref> The rocket was designed to meet or exceed all current requirements of human rating. The structural safety margins are 40% above flight loads, higher than the 25% margins of other rockets.<ref>{{cite web |title=SpaceX Announces Launch Date for the World's Most Powerful Rocket| date=5 April 2011 |url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=33185|publisher=SpaceRef.com|access-date=April 10, 2011|archive-date=24 July 2013|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6ILOlixKK?url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=33185|url-status=live}}</ref> Falcon Heavy was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and it would restore the possibility of flying crewed missions to the Moon or Mars.<ref name="sxfh"/>

[[File:SpaceX Testing Merlin 1D Engine In Texas.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|The Merlin 1D engine]]
The first stage is powered by three Falcon 9 derived cores, each equipped with nine Merlin 1D engines. The Falcon Heavy has a total sea-level thrust at liftoff of {{cvt|2327|t-f|MN lbf|order=out}}, from the 27 Merlin 1D engines, while thrust rises to {{cvt|2517|t-f|MN lbf|order=out}} as the craft climbs out of the atmosphere.<ref name="sxfh"/> The upper stage is powered by a single Merlin 1D engine modified for vacuum operation, with a thrust of {{cvt|95.2|t-f|kN lbf|order=out}}, an expansion ratio of 117:1 and a nominal burn time of 397&nbsp;seconds. At launch, the center core throttles to full power for a few seconds for additional thrust, then throttles down. This allows a longer burn time. After the side boosters separate, the center core throttles back up to maximum thrust. For added reliability of restart, the engine has dual redundant pyrophoric igniters ([[Chemistry:Triethylaluminium|Triethylaluminium]]-[[Chemistry:Triethylborane|Triethylborane]]) (TEA-TEB).<ref name=sxf9o20100508/> The interstage, which connects the upper and lower stage for Falcon 9, is a carbon fiber [[Chemistry:Aluminium|aluminum]] core composite structure. Stage separation occurs via reusable separation [[Engineering:Collet|collet]]s and a pneumatic pusher system. The Falcon 9 tank walls and domes are made from [[Chemistry:Aluminium–lithium alloy|Aluminium–lithium alloy]]. SpaceX uses an all-friction stir welded tank. The second stage tank of Falcon 9 is simply a shorter version of the first stage tank and uses most of the same tooling, material, and manufacturing techniques. This approach reduces manufacturing costs during vehicle production.<ref name=sxf9o20100508/>

All three cores of the Falcon Heavy arrange the engines in a structural form SpaceX calls ''Octaweb'', aimed at streamlining the manufacturing process,<ref name="sxn20130802octaweb">{{cite web |title=Octaweb |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/04/12/falcon-heavy-octaweb|date=April 12, 2013|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=August 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703135212/http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/04/12/falcon-heavy-octaweb|archive-date=July 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and each core includes four extensible landing legs.<ref name="sxn20130802fh_legs">{{cite web |title=Landing Legs|url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/04/12/falcon-heavy-landing-legs|date=April 12, 2013|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=August 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703135207/http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/04/12/falcon-heavy-landing-legs|archive-date=July 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> To control the descent of the boosters and center core through the atmosphere, SpaceX uses four retractable grid fins at the top of each of the three Falcon 9 boosters, which extend after separation.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kremer|first1=Ken |title=Falcon Heavy Rocket Launch and Booster Recovery Featured in Cool New SpaceX Animation|url=http://www.universetoday.com/118549/falcon-heavy-rocket-launch-and-booster-recovery-featured-in-cool-new-spacex-animation/|publisher=Universe Today|access-date=February 12, 2015 |date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825183922/https://www.universetoday.com/118549/falcon-heavy-rocket-launch-and-booster-recovery-featured-in-cool-new-spacex-animation/|archive-date=August 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Immediately after the side boosters separate, the center engine in each continues to burn for a few seconds in order to control the booster's trajectory safely away from the rocket.<ref name="sxn20130802fh_legs"/><ref name="faa201304v1">{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite report|last=Nield|first=George C. |title=Draft Environmental Impact Statement: SpaceX Texas Launch Site|volume=1|date=April 2014|pages=2–3 |url=http://1.usa.gov/YtxBzo|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space Transportation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207085028/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/documents_progress/spacex_texas_launch_site_environmental_impact_statement/media/SpaceX_Texas_Launch_Site_Draft_EIS_V1.pdf|archive-date=December 7, 2013}} }}</ref> The grid fins then deploy as the boosters turn back to [[Astronomy:Earth|Earth]], followed by the landing legs. Each booster lands softly on the ground in fully reusable launch configuration. The two side boosters land on different drone ships in partial reusable configuration. The center core continues to fire until stage separation. In fully reusable launches, its grid fins and legs deploy and the center core touches down either back on land or on a drone ship. If the stages are expended, then the landing legs and grid fins are omitted from the vehicle. The landing legs are made of carbon fiber with aluminum [[Chemistry:Honeycomb structure|honeycomb structure]]. The four legs stow along the sides of each core during liftoff and extend outward and down just before landing.<ref name=pm20120207>{{cite news|last=Simberg|first=Rand |title=Elon Musk on SpaceX's Reusable Rocket Plans |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/rockets/elon-musk-on-spacexs-reusable-rocket-plans-6653023|access-date=February 7, 2012|publisher=Popular Mechanics|date=February 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006092432/http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/rockets/elon-musk-on-spacexs-reusable-rocket-plans-6653023|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Rocket specifications ==
<!-- as of 16 June 2019, 100% of the statements made in this table were sourced from a single primary source. Over time, this is likely to change as multiple editors add statements, and new parameters, to the table. When doing so, you should also add a source citation. -->
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="font-size:small; text-align:center;"
|+Falcon Heavy specifications and characteristics<ref name="EspaceEtExplorationNo51">{{cite magazine |title=Fiche Technique: Falcon Heavy|language=fr|trans-title=Technical data sheet: Falcon Heavy |url=http://www.espace-exploration.com/fr/numeros/672-espace-et-exploration-n%C2%B051|magazine=Espace & Exploration|issue=51|pages=62–63|date=June 2019|access-date=June 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616091947/http://www.espace-exploration.com/fr/numeros/672-espace-et-exploration-n%25C2%25B051|archive-date=June 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! Characteristic
! First stage core unit<br />(1 × center, 2 × booster)
! Second stage
! Payload fairing
|-
! Height<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/>
| {{cvt|42.6|m}}
| {{cvt|12.6|m}}
| {{cvt|13.2|m}}
|-
! Diameter<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/>
| {{cvt|3.66|m}}
| {{cvt|3.66|m}}
| {{cvt|5.2|m}}
|-
! Dry mass<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/>
| {{cvt|22.2|t|lb}}
| {{cvt|4|t|lb}}
| {{cvt|1.7|t|lb}}
|-
! Fueled mass
| {{cvt|433.1|t|lb}}
| {{cvt|111.5|t|lb}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
! Structure type
| LOX tank: [[Engineering:Monocoque|monocoque]]<br />Fuel tank: skin and stringer
| LOX tank: monocoque<br />Fuel tank: skin and stringer
| Monocoque halves
|-
! Structure material
| Aluminum–lithium skin; [[Chemistry:Aluminium|aluminum]] domes
| Aluminum–lithium skin; aluminum domes
| Carbon fiber
|-
! Engines
| 9 × Merlin 1D
| 1 × Merlin 1D Vacuum
| rowspan=14 {{n/a}}
|-
! Engine type
| [[Engineering:Liquid-propellant rocket|Liquid]], [[Physics:Gas-generator cycle|gas generator]]
| Liquid, gas generator
|-
! Propellant
| Subcooled [[Physics:Liquid oxygen|liquid oxygen]], kerosene ([[Chemistry:RP-1|RP-1]])
| Liquid oxygen, kerosene (RP-1)
|-
! Liquid oxygen tank capacity<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/>
| {{cvt|287.4|t|lb}}
| {{cvt|75.2|t|lb}}
|-
! Kerosene tank capacity<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/>
| {{cvt|123.5|t|lb}}
| {{cvt|32.3|t|lb}}
|-
! Engine nozzle
| Gimbaled, 16:1 expansion
| Gimbaled, 165:1 expansion
|-
! Engine designer/manufacturer
| SpaceX
| SpaceX
|-
! [[Thrust]], stage total
| {{cvt|2327|t-f|MN lbf|order=out}}, sea level
| {{cvt|95.2|t-f|kN lbf|order=out}}, vacuum
|-
! Propellant feed system
| [[Engineering:Turbopump|Turbopump]]
| Turbopump
|-
! Throttle capability
| Yes: {{cvt|42.7–83.2|t-f|kN lbf|order=out}}, sea level
| Yes: {{cvt|37–95|t-f|kN lbf|order=out}}, vacuum
|-
! Restart capability
| Yes, in 3 engines for boostback, reentry, and landing
| Yes, dual redundant TEA-[[Chemistry:Triethylborane|TEB]]<br />pyrophoric igniters
|-
! Tank pressurization
| Heated [[Chemistry:Helium|helium]]
| Heated helium
|-
! Ascent [[Astronomy:Spacecraft attitude control|attitude control]]:<br />pitch, [[Physics:Yaw (rotation)|yaw]]
| [[Engineering:Gimbaled thrust|Gimbaled]] engines
| Gimbaled engine and<br />[[Chemistry:Nitrogen|nitrogen]] [[Engineering:Cold gas thruster|gas thrusters]]
|-
! Ascent attitude control:<br />roll
| Gimbaled engines
| Nitrogen gas thrusters
|-
! Coast/descent attitude control
| Nitrogen gas thrusters and grid fins
| Nitrogen gas thrusters
| Nitrogen gas thrusters
|-
! Shutdown process
| Commanded
| Commanded
| {{n/a}}
|-
! Stage separation system
| Pneumatic
| {{n/a}}
| Pneumatic
|}

The Falcon Heavy uses a {{cvt|4.5|m}} interstage attached to the first stage core.<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/> It is a [[Chemistry:Composite material|composite structure]] consisting of an [[Chemistry:Aluminium|aluminum]] [[Chemistry:Honeycomb structure|honeycomb core]] surrounded by carbon fiber face sheet plies. Unlike for Falcon 9, the black thermal protection layer on the interstage of Block 5 center core boosters is later painted white, as seen in the Falcon Heavy flights so far, probably due to asthetics of the Falcon Heavy Logo, providing it a greyish look.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SpaceX Falcon Heavy : USSF-67 : KSC LC-39A : 15 January 2023 (22:56 UTC) |url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53881.msg2449996#msg2449996 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=forum.nasaspaceflight.com |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131165437/https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53881.msg2449996#msg2449996 |url-status=live }}</ref> The overall length of the vehicle at launch is {{cvt|70|m}}, and the total fueled mass is {{cvt|1420|t|lb}}. Without recovery of any stage, the Falcon Heavy can theoretically inject a {{cvt|63.8|t|lb}} payload into a low Earth orbit, or {{cvt|16.8|t|lb}} to [[Astronomy:Venus|Venus]] or [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]].<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/> However because of the structural limitations the maximum weight what Falcon Heavy can lift is reduced.<ref name="gao202206">{{cite web |title=GAO-22-105212 - NASA Assessments of Major Projects, June 2022 |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-105212.pdf |publisher=United States Government Accountability Office}}</ref>

The Falcon Heavy includes first-stage [[Engineering:SpaceX reusable launch system development program#Technologies|recovery systems]], to allow SpaceX to return the first stage boosters to the launch site as well as recover the first stage core following landing at an Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship barge after completion of primary mission requirements. These systems include four deployable landing legs, which are locked against each first-stage tank core during ascent and deploy just prior to touchdown. Excess propellant reserved for Falcon Heavy first-stage recovery operations will be diverted for use on the primary mission objective, if required, ensuring sufficient performance margins for successful missions. The nominal payload capacity to a [[Astronomy:Geostationary transfer orbit|geostationary transfer orbit]] (GTO) is {{cvt|8|t|lb}} with recovery of all three first-stage cores (the price per launch is US$97 million), versus {{cvt|26.7|t|lb}} in fully expendable mode. The Falcon Heavy can also inject a {{cvt|16|t|lb}} payload into GTO if only the two side boosters are recovered.<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/>

== Capabilities ==
[[File:Arabsat-6A Mission (40628437283).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Twenty-seven Merlin engines firing during launch of Arabsat-6A in 2019]]

The partially reusable Falcon Heavy falls into the [[Engineering:Heavy-lift launch vehicle|heavy-lift]] range of launch systems, capable of lifting {{cvt|20|-|50|t|lb}} into low Earth orbit (LEO), under the classification system used by a NASA human spaceflight review panel.<ref name=hsf200910>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf |title=Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation|date=October 2009|publisher=NASA|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213100849/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf|archive-date=December 13, 2011|url-status=live}} }}</ref> A fully expendable Falcon Heavy is in the [[Engineering:Super heavy-lift launch vehicle|super heavy-lift]] category with a maximum payload of {{cvt|64|t|lb}} to low Earth orbit.

The initial concept (Falcon 9-S9 2005) envisioned payloads of {{cvt|24.75|t|lb}} to LEO, but by April 2011 this was projected to be up to {{cvt|53|t|lb}}<ref name="sxfh-20110404"/> with [[Astronomy:Geostationary transfer orbit|geostationary transfer orbit]] (GTO) payloads up to {{cvt|12|t|lb}}.<ref name=sx20111203/> Later reports in 2011 projected higher payloads beyond LEO, including {{cvt|19|t|lb}} to geostationary transfer orbit,<ref>{{cite web |title=SpaceX Brochure|url=http://www.spacex.com/downloads/spacex-brochure.pdf|access-date=June 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809000459/http://www.spacex.com/downloads/spacex-brochure.pdf|archive-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref> {{cvt|16|t|lb}} to [[Astronomy:Trans-lunar injection|translunar trajectory]], and {{cvt|14|t|lb}} on a trans-Martian orbit to [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]].<ref name=spx110405>{{cite web |title=SpaceX Press Conference|url=http://www.spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php?id=60|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=April 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320034746/http://www.spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php?id=60|archive-date=March 20, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="8m">{{cite web |title=Feasibility of a Dragon-derived Mars lander for scientific and human-precursor investigations|publisher=8m.net|date=October 31, 2011|url=http://digitalvideo.8m.net/SpaceX/RedDragon/karcz-red_dragon-nac-2011-10-29-1.pdf|access-date=May 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616154043/http://digitalvideo.8m.net/SpaceX/RedDragon/karcz-red_dragon-nac-2011-10-29-1.pdf|archive-date=June 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

By late 2013, SpaceX raised the projected GTO payload for Falcon Heavy to up to {{cvt|21.2|t|lb}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Capabilities & Services|url=http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities|year=2013|access-date=March 25, 2014|publisher=SpaceX|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007205105/http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities|archive-date=October 7, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Falcon heavy June 2019.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Long exposure of a night launch, 25 June 2019]]
In April 2017, the projected LEO payload for Falcon Heavy was raised from {{cvt|54.4|to|63.8|t|lb}}. The maximum payload is achieved when the rocket flies a fully [[Engineering:Expendable launch system|expendable]] launch profile, not recovering any of the three first-stage boosters.<ref name=spacex-capabilities/> With just the core booster expended, and two side-boosters recovered, Musk estimates the payload penalty to be around 10%, which would still yield over {{cvt|57|t|lb}} of lift capability to LEO.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=963094533830426624 |title=Side boosters landing on droneships & center expended is only ~10% performance penalty vs fully expended. Cost is only slightly higher than an expended F9, so around US$95 million.|user=elonmusk|date=February 12, 2018}}</ref> Returning all three boosters to the launch site rather than landing them on drone ships would yield about 30 t of payload to LEO.<ref name="musk20170929payload">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdUX3ypDVwI&t=15m35s |title=Becoming a Multiplanet Species |date=September 29, 2017 |last=Musk |first=Elon |medium=video |language=en-us |publisher=SpaceX |location=Adelaide Australia |access-date=December 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/tdUX3ypDVwI |archive-date=2021-11-13 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Maximum theoretical payload capacity
|-
! rowspan="2" |Destination
! colspan="3" |Falcon Heavy
! rowspan="2" |Falcon 9
|-
! August 2013<br />to April 2016
! May 2016<br />to March 2017
! Since<br />April 2017
|-
| LEO (28.5°) expendable
| 53 t
| 54.4 t
| 63.8 t
| 22.8 t
|-
| GTO (27.0°) expendable
| 21.2 t
| 22.2 t
| 26.7 t
| 8.3 t
|-
| GTO (27.0°) reusable
| 6.4 t
| 6.4 t
| 8 t
| 5.5 t
|-
| Mars
| 13.2 t
| 13.6 t
| 16.8 t
| 4 t
|-
| Pluto
| –
| 2.9 t
| 3.5 t
| –
|}

=== Reusability ===
{{main|Engineering:SpaceX reusable launch system development program}}
[[File:Falcon Heavy Side Boosters landing on LZ1 and LZ2 - 2018 (25254688767).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Falcon Heavy [[Astronomy:Reusable launch system|reusable side boosters]] land in unison at Cape Canaveral Landing Zones 1 and 2 following test flight on 6 February 2018]]

From 2013 to 2016, SpaceX conducted parallel development of a reusable rocket architecture for [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]], that applies to parts of Falcon Heavy as well. Early on, SpaceX had expressed hopes that all rocket stages would eventually be [[Astronomy:Reusable launch system|reusable]].<ref name="nsf20090112">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/01/musk-ambition-spacex-aim-for-fully-reusable-falcon-9/ |title=Musk ambition: SpaceX aim for fully reusable Falcon 9|date=January 12, 2009|first=Chris|last=Bergin|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705234507/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/01/musk-ambition-spacex-aim-for-fully-reusable-falcon-9/|archive-date=July 5, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> SpaceX has since demonstrated routine land and sea recovery of the [[Engineering:List of Falcon 9 first-stage boosters|Falcon 9 first stage]], and have successfully recovered multiple [[Engineering:Payload fairing|payload fairing]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairing Recovery Attempts|url=https://www.spacexfleet.com/fairing-data|publisher=SpaceXFleet|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619175327/https://www.spacexfleet.com/fairing-data|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sfn20170331">{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/03/31/spacex-flies-rocket-for-second-time-in-historic-test-of-cost-cutting-technology/ |title=SpaceX flies rocket for second time in historic test of cost-cutting technology|date=March 31, 2017|first=Stephen|last=Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609202728/https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/03/31/spacex-flies-rocket-for-second-time-in-historic-test-of-cost-cutting-technology/|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the case of Falcon Heavy, the two outer cores separate from the rocket earlier in the flight, and are thus moving at a lower velocity than in a Falcon 9 launch profile.<ref name="pm20120207"/> For the first flight of Falcon Heavy, SpaceX had considered attempting to recover the second stage,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=elonmusk |number=847882289581359104 |title=Considering trying to bring upper stage back on Falcon Heavy demo flight for full reusability. Odds of success low, but maybe worth a shot.|date=March 31, 2017|access-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref> but did not execute this plan.

Falcon Heavy payload performance to [[Engineering:Geosynchronous transfer orbit|geosynchronous transfer orbit]] (GTO) is reduced by the reusable technology, but at a much lower price. When recovering all three booster cores, GTO payload is {{cvt|8|t|lb}}.<ref name=spacex-capabilities/> If only the two outside cores are recovered while the center core is expended, GTO payload would be approximately {{cvt|16|t|lb}}.<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo51/> As a comparison, the next-heaviest contemporary rocket, the fully expendable Delta IV Heavy, can deliver {{cvt|14.2|t|lb}} to GTO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/delta-iv/ |title=ULA Delta IV Reference Page|publisher=United Launch Alliance|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208023200/https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/delta-iv|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Propellant crossfeed ===
Falcon Heavy was originally designed with a unique "propellant crossfeed" capability, whereby the center core engines would be supplied with fuel and oxidizer from the two side cores until their separation.<ref name="nss201111">{{cite web|last=Strickland|first=John K. Jr. |title=The SpaceX Falcon Heavy Booster|date=September 2011|url=http://www.nss.org/articles/falconheavy.html |publisher=National Space Society|access-date=November 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117112834/http://www.nss.org/articles/falconheavy.html|archive-date=January 17, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Operating all engines at full thrust from launch, with fuel supplied mainly from the side boosters, would deplete the side boosters sooner, allowing their earlier separation to reduce the mass being accelerated. This would leave most of the center core propellant available after booster separation.<ref name="prop_cross">{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=33185 |title=SpaceX Announces Launch Date for the World's Most Powerful Rocket|publisher=SpaceX|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=April 5, 2011|archive-date=24 July 2013|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6ILOlixKK?url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=33185|url-status=live}}</ref>

Musk stated in 2016 that crossfeed would not be implemented.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=elonmusk|number=726561442636263425 |title="Does FH expendable performance include crossfeed?" "No cross feed. It would help performance, but is not needed for these numbers".|date=May 1, 2016|access-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref> Instead, the center booster throttles down shortly after liftoff to conserve fuel, and resumes full thrust after the side boosters have separated.<ref name="sxfh"/>

=== Environmental impact ===
''BBC Science Focus'', in February 2018, published an article on Falcon Heavy's environmental impact. It stated concerns that frequent Falcon Heavy launches can contribute to [[Earth:Air pollution|pollution]] in the atmosphere.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sciencefocus.com/space/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-the-spacex-falcon-heavy-launch/|publisher=BBC Science Focus |title=What is the environmental impact of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch?|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=June 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627082218/https://www.sciencefocus.com/space/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-the-spacex-falcon-heavy-launch/|archive-date=June 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jason Davis, senior editor of the Planetary Society, was concerned that launching a non-sterile object (as was done on the Falcon Heavy Test Flight) to interplanetary space may risk [[Astronomy:Planetary protection|biological contamination]] of a foreign world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Jason |title=Let's talk about Elon Musk launching his Tesla into space |url=https://www.planetary.org/articles/20180205-space-tesla |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=The Planetary Society |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630211257/http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/2018/20180205-space-tesla.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Scientists at [[Organization:Purdue University|Purdue University]] thought it was the "dirtiest" man-made object ever sent into space, in terms of [[Biology:Bacteria|bacteria]] amount, noting the car was previously driven on Los Angeles freeways. Although the vehicle will be sterilized by solar radiation over time, some bacteria might survive on pieces of plastic which could contaminate Mars in the distant future.<ref name="PHYS-20180227">{{cite web |author=Purdue University |title=Tesla in space could carry bacteria from Earth|url=https://phys.org/news/2018-02-tesla-space-bacteria-earth.html|date=February 27, 2018|publisher=phys.org|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227205539/https://phys.org/news/2018-02-tesla-space-bacteria-earth.html|archive-date=February 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://newatlas.com/tesla-roadster-dirtiest-space/53590/ |title=The Tesla Roadster could be the dirtiest manmade object in space|publisher=New Atlas|first=David|last=Szondy|date=February 28, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044637/https://newatlas.com/tesla-roadster-dirtiest-space/53590/|archive-date=March 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A study conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration found that the boost-back and landing of Falcon Heavy boosters "would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment".<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web |title=Adoption of the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Boost-back and Landing of Falcon Heavy Boosters at Landing Zone-1, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |url=https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/launch/media/FAA_FONSI_for_Falcon_Heavy_RTLS_at_LZ-1.pdf|publisher=FAA|access-date=July 5, 2019|date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705161201/https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/launch/media/FAA_FONSI_for_Falcon_Heavy_RTLS_at_LZ-1.pdf|archive-date=July 5, 2019|url-status=live}} }}</ref>

== Launch prices ==
At an appearance in May 2004 before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Musk testified, "Long term plans call for development of a heavy lift product and even a super-heavy, if there is customer demand. We expect that each size increase would result in a meaningful decrease in cost per pound to orbit. ... Ultimately, I believe US$500 per pound or less is very achievable".<ref name=USsenate200405>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=12774|date=May 5, 2004 |title=Space Shuttle and the Future of Space Launch Vehicles|author=Testimony of Elon Musk|publisher=SpaceRef|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909215713/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=12774|url-status=live}}</ref> This {{cvt|1100|$/kg}} goal stated by Musk in 2011 is 35% of the cost of the lowest-cost-per-pound [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|LEO]]-capable launch system in a 2001 study: the [[Engineering:Zenit (rocket family)|Zenit]], a medium-lift launch vehicle that could carry {{cvt|14|t|lb}} into LEO for US$35–50 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sietzen|first=Frank Jr. |title=Spacelift Washington: International Space Transportation Association Faltering; The myth of US$10,000 per pound|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=301|publisher=SpaceRef|access-date=June 24, 2017|date=March 18, 2001|archive-date=13 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913114855/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=301|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, SpaceX stated that the cost of reaching [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|low Earth orbit]] could be as low as {{cvt|2200|$/kg}} if an annual rate of four launches can be sustained, and as of 2011 planned to eventually launch as many as 10 Falcon Heavies and 10 Falcon 9s annually.<ref name="spx110405"/>

The published prices for Falcon Heavy launches have changed as development progressed, with announced prices for the various versions of Falcon Heavy priced at US$80–125 million in 2011,<ref name="sxfh-20110404">{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Stephen|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1104/05falconheavy/ |title=SpaceX enters the realm of heavy-lift rocketry|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=April 5, 2011|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823003145/http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1104/05falconheavy/|archive-date=August 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> US$83–128 million in 2012,<ref name="sx20111203">{{cite web|url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/|title=Space Exploration Technologies Corporation – Falcon Heavy|publisher=SpaceX|date=2022|access-date=April 1, 2023|archive-date=30 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430094111/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/|url-status=live}}</ref> US$77–135 million in 2013,<ref name=sx20130909>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities |title=Capabilities and Services |access-date=September 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007205105/http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities|archive-date=October 7, 2013|date=November 28, 2012}} Retrieved 25 March 2014</ref> US$85 million for up to {{cvt|6.4|t|lb}} to [[Astronomy:Geostationary transfer orbit|GTO]] in 2014, US$90 million for up to {{cvt|8|t|lb}} to GTO in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities |title=Capabilities and Services|date=May 3, 2016|publisher=SpaceX|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702095808/http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities |archive-date=July 2, 2014}}</ref>

From 2017 to early 2022, the price has been stated at US$150 million for {{cvt|63.8|t|lb}} to LEO or {{cvt|26.7|t|lb}} to GTO (fully expendable).<ref>{{cite web |title=SpaceX|url=http://www.spacex.com/|access-date=2020-06-04|publisher=SpaceX|archive-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307010135/http://www.spacex.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> This equates to a price of US$2,350 per kg to LEO and US$5,620 per kg to GTO. In 2022, the published price for a reusable launch was $97 million.<ref name="spacex-capabilities2">{{cite web |year=2022 |title=Capabilities & Services |url=https://www.spacex.com/media/Capabilities&Services.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322170331/https://www.spacex.com/media/Capabilities&Services.pdf |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |publisher=SpaceX}}</ref> In 2022 NASA contracted with SpaceX to launch the [[Astronomy:Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope|Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope]] on a Falcon Heavy for approximately $255 million, including launch service and other mission related costs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dodson |first=Gerelle |date=2022-07-18 |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Roman Space Telescope |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-roman-space-telescope |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=NASA |archive-date=20 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720054133/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-roman-space-telescope/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The nearest competing U.S. rocket is ULA's Delta IV Heavy with a LEO payload capacity of {{Cvt|28.4|t|lb}} costs US$12,340 per kg to LEO and US$24,630 per kg to GTO.<ref>{{cite web |title=Delta IV|url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/delta-iv|publisher=United Launch Alliance|access-date=2020-06-04|website=ulalaunch.com|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208023200/https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/delta-iv|url-status=live}}</ref> The Delta IV Heavy will be retired in 2024.

Competitors from 2024 onwards may include SpaceX's [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship|Starship]] (100+ t to LEO), [[Company:Blue Origin|Blue Origin's]] [[Astronomy:New Glenn|New Glenn]] (45 t to LEO), [[Company:Relativity Space|Relativity Space]]'s Terran R (34 t to LEO), and [[Company:United Launch Alliance|United Launch Alliance]] (ULA) Vulcan Centaur (27 t to LEO).

== Launches and payloads ==

Due to improvements to the performance of [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]], some of the heavier satellites flown to GTO, such as [[Engineering:Intelsat 35e|Intelsat 35e]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-intelsat-35e-launch-july-2/ |title=SpaceX set to launch massive satellite on July 2nd: 3 flights in 9 days|website=teslarati.com|date=June 27, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517082315/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-intelsat-35e-launch-july-2/|archive-date=May 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and Inmarsat-5 F4,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/inmarsat-juggling-two-launches-says-spacex-to-return-to-flight-in-december/|title=Inmarsat, juggling two launches, says SpaceX to return to flight in December|publisher=SpaceNews|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053255/https://spacenews.com/inmarsat-juggling-two-launches-says-spacex-to-return-to-flight-in-december/|url-status=live}}</ref> ended up being launched before the debut of Falcon Heavy. SpaceX anticipated the first commercial Falcon Heavy launch would be three to six months after a successful maiden flight,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-set-for-falcon-heavy-debut/|title=SpaceX set for Falcon Heavy debut|first=Jeff|last=Foust|publisher=SpaceNews|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053336/https://spacenews.com/spacex-set-for-falcon-heavy-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/spacex-may-launch-the-next-falcon-heavy-rocket-in-less-than-two-months/ |title=After government re-opened, SpaceX sought two Falcon Heavy permits|first=Eric|last=Berger|date=January 29, 2019|publisher=Ars Technica|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201224627/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/spacex-may-launch-the-next-falcon-heavy-rocket-in-less-than-two-months/|archive-date=February 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> but due to delays, the first commercial payload, [[Engineering:Arabsat-6A|Arabsat-6A]] was successfully launched on 11 April 2019, a year and two months after the first flight. SpaceX hoped to have 10 launches every year from 2021 on,<ref>{{Source-attribution|{{cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental/nepa_docs/media/SpaceX_Falcon_Program_Draft_EA_508.pdf |title=Draft Environmental Assessment for SpaceX Falcon Launches at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|date=2020|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=2020-10-24|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227193817/https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental/nepa_docs/media/SpaceX_Falcon_Program_Draft_EA_508.pdf|url-status=live}}|sentence=yes}}</ref> but there were no launches in 2020 or 2021.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Falcon Heavy launches<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/falcon-9-heavy_b5.htm |title=Falcon-Heavy (Block 5)|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411235035/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/falcon-9-heavy_b5.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- class="is-sticky"
! Flight No.
! Launch date
! Payload and mass
! Customer
! Price
! Outcome 
|-
! align=center | 1
| 6 February 2018<br />20:45 UTC<ref name=cbs-harwood/>
| [[Engineering:Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster|Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster]]<br />~{{cvt|1250|kg|disp=}}<ref name=teslaorbit>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web|url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=-143205 |title=Tesla Roadster (AKA: Starman, 2018-017A) |date=March 1, 2018|website=ssd.jpl.nasa.gov|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222032845/https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=-143205 |archive-date=December 22, 2018|url-status=live}} }}</ref>
| [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]
| {{n/a|Internal}}
| {{Success}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/science/falcon-heavy-spacex-launch.html |title=Falcon Heavy, in a Roar of Thunder, Carries SpaceX's Ambition Into Orbit|first=Kenneth |last=Chang|date=February 6, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216153657/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/science/falcon-heavy-spacex-launch.html|archive-date=February 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
! align=center | 2
| 11 April 2019<br />22:35 UTC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/local-news/spacex-s-falcon-heavy-rocket-set-to-launch-wednesday-night |title=Launch of SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket pushed to Thursday|last=FOX|website=WOFL|date=11 April 2019|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411045325/http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/local-news/spacex-s-falcon-heavy-rocket-set-to-launch-wednesday-night|archive-date=April 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Engineering:Arabsat-6A|Arabsat-6A]]<br />{{cvt|6465|kg}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Arabsat 6A|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arabsat-6a.htm|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716192815/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arabsat-6a.htm|archive-date=July 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Arabsat
| Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/arabsat-ceo-falcon-heavy-gives-our-satellite-extra-life/|title=Arabsat CEO: Falcon Heavy gives our satellite extra life|date=April 11, 2019|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=12 April 2019|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053256/https://spacenews.com/arabsat-ceo-falcon-heavy-gives-our-satellite-extra-life/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Success}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Stephen |title=SpaceX's Falcon Heavy successful in commercial debut|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/04/11/spacexs-falcon-heavy-successful-in-commercial-debut/|access-date=April 12, 2019|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412135306/https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/04/11/spacexs-falcon-heavy-successful-in-commercial-debut/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=6 | Heavy communications satellite purchased by the Arab League.<ref name=sn20181218>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-looking-to-launch-delayed-space-science-missions-in-early-2019/|title=NASA looking to launch delayed space science missions in early 2019|last=Foust|first=Jeff|publisher=SpaceNews|date=December 19, 2018|access-date=February 8, 2018|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053256/https://spacenews.com/nasa-looking-to-launch-delayed-space-science-missions-in-early-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> All three boosters landed successfully<ref>{{cite news|last1=Graham|first1=William |title=SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches Arabsat-6A|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/04/spacex-falcon-heavy-second-launch-arabsat-6a/ |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412004843/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/04/spacex-falcon-heavy-second-launch-arabsat-6a/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> but the center core subsequently fell over and was lost during transport due to heavy seas.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kelly|first1=Emre |title=SpaceX: Falcon Heavy core booster lost to rough seas en route to Port Canaveral|url=https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/04/15/spacex-falcon-heavy-core-booster-lost-rough-seas-en-route-port-canaveral/3478452002/|newspaper=Florida Today|date=April 15, 2019|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053347/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/04/15/spacex-falcon-heavy-core-booster-lost-rough-seas-en-route-port-canaveral/3478452002/|url-status=live}}</ref> The two side-boosters were reused on the STP-2 launch.<ref name="nsf20190306"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPfHHls50-w |title=SpaceX to Launch Falcon Heavy Rocket #Nasa @Kennedy Space Center, 5:35pm|work=YouTube|access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417234841/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPfHHls50-w|archive-date=April 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 3
| 25 June 2019<br>06:30 UTC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html |title=Rocket Launch Viewing at Cape Canaveral: Where & How to Watch, View and See Atlas 5, Delta 4 & Falcon 9 Launches|website=launchphotography.com|access-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209063848/http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html|archive-date=February 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| USAF [[Organization:Space Test Program|STP-2]]<br>{{cvt|3700|kg}}
| United States Department of Defense
| US$160.9 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Preview: Succeed or fail, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy test sure to be a...|url=https://www.planetary.org/articles/20180201-falcon-heavy-demo-preview|access-date=2020-09-10|publisher=The Planetary Society|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921074504/https://www.planetary.org/articles/20180201-falcon-heavy-demo-preview|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | The mission supported the {{wipe|United States Air Force}} [[Engineering:National Security Space Launch|National Security Space Launch]] (formerly EELV) certification process for the Falcon Heavy.<ref name=sn20181218/> The original contract price was US$165 million, which was later reduced due to the Air Force agreeing to the use of reused side boosters. Secondary payloads include orbiters: LightSail 2,<ref name="PSO">{{cite web|url=http://sail.planetary.org |title=Lightsail|publisher=Planetary Society|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508054745/http://sail.planetary.org/ |archive-date=May 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chemistry:Green Propellant Infusion Mission|GPIM]],<ref name="About">{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/green/ |title=About Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM)|access-date=February 26, 2014|year=2014|publisher=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424120132/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/green/|archive-date=April 24, 2013|url-status= live}} }}</ref><ref name='Ball 2014'>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballaerospace.com/page.jsp?page=281 |title=Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM)|access-date=February 26, 2014|year=2014 |publisher=Ball Aerospace|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424145843/http://ballaerospace.com/page.jsp?page=281|archive-date=April 24, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ballaerospace.com/file/media/D2082%20GPIM%20TU_313.pdf |title=The Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) |access-date=February 26, 2014 |date=March 2013 |publisher=Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151220162042/http://www.ballaerospace.com/file/media/D2082%20GPIM%20TU_313.pdf |archive-date=December 20, 2015}}</ref> OTB (hosting the [[Physics:Deep Space Atomic Clock|Deep Space Atomic Clock]],<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|[https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/clock/overview.html Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) Overview] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412102243/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/clock/overview.html|date=April 12, 2019}} NASA Accessed on December 10, 2018 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ga.com/general-atomics-completes-ready-for-launch-testing-of-orbital-test-bed-satellite General Atomics Completes Ready-For-Launch Testing of Orbital Test Bed Satellite] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214065003/http://www.ga.com/general-atomics-completes-ready-for-launch-testing-of-orbital-test-bed-satellite|date=December 14, 2018}} General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, press release on April 3, 2018</ref>) six [[Engineering:COSMIC-2|COSMIC-2]] (FORMOSAT-7),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-awarded-two-eelv-class-missions-united-states-air-force |title=SpaceX Awarded Two EELV-Class Missions From The United States Air Force|date=December 5, 2012|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816022145/http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacex-awarded-two-eelv-class-missions-united-states-air-force|archive-date= August 16, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/formosat-7-cosmic-2.htm |title=FORMOSAT 7 / COSMIC-2|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603213644/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/formosat-7-cosmic-2.htm|archive-date=June 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Oculus-ASR,<ref name="Oculus-ASR (Nanosat 6)">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/oculus-asr.htm |title=Oculus-ASR|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301100212/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/oculus-asr.htm|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Prox-1,<ref name="PSO"/> and [[Engineering:Innovative Space-based Radar Antenna Technology|ISAT]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spaceflights.news/?p=13208 |title=Falcon overloaded with knowledge – Falcon Heavy rocket under the Space Test Program 2 scheduled in October 2016 |publisher=Spaceflights News|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709234507/http://spaceflights.news/?p=13208|archive-date=July 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Successfully reused the boosters from the second Falcon Heavy flight.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="nsf20190306">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/03/falcon-heavy-starlink-headline-spacexs-manifest/ |title=Falcon Heavy and Starlink headline SpaceX's upcoming manifest|date=6 March 2019|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330063007/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/03/falcon-heavy-starlink-headline-spacexs-manifest/|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Center core failed to land on the droneship and was lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/amp/article/57032-spacex-watch-falcon-heavy-center-core-narrowly-miss |title=SpaceX, Falcon Heavy center core narrowly miss|date=25 June 2019 |publisher=Inverse|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628162200/https://www.inverse.com/amp/article/57032-spacex-watch-falcon-heavy-center-core-narrowly-miss|archive-date=June 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 4
| 1 November 2022<br>13:41 UTC<ref>{{cite news|url=https://aerospace.org/article/ussf-44-space-force-successfully-completes-first-mission-falcon-heavy-rocket|title=USSF-44: Space Force successfully completes first mission on Falcon Heavy rocket|date=12 December 2022|access-date=23 July 2023|archive-date=23 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723091408/https://aerospace.org/article/ussf-44-space-force-successfully-completes-first-mission-falcon-heavy-rocket|url-status=live}}</ref>
| USSF-44<br />~{{cvt|3750|kg|disp=}}
| U.S. Space Force, [[Company:Boeing Satellite Development Center#Subsidiaries|Millennium Space Systems]] and [[Company:Lockheed Martin Space|Lockheed Martin Space]]
| ~US$130 million <!-- US$297 for this and two other launches -->
<small>(from a US$297 million contract including two Falcon 9s<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web|url=https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1762048/air-force-awards-739-million-launch-service-contracts/ |title=Air Force awards US$739 million launch service contracts|publisher=Air Force Space Command|date=February 19, 2019|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412204947/https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1762048/air-force-awards-739-million-launch-service-contracts/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govconwire.com/2019/02/spacex-wins-potential-297m-contract-for-usaf-nro-satellite-launch-services/ |title=SpaceX Wins Potential US$297 million Contract for USAF, NRO Satellite Launch Services|date=20 February 2019|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412010130/https://www.govconwire.com/2019/02/spacex-wins-potential-297m-contract-for-usaf-nro-satellite-launch-services/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>)</small>
| {{Success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | First classified flight of Falcon Heavy. The contract was awarded to SpaceX for a price of under 30% of that of a typical Delta IV Heavy launch (US$440 million). Payload includes two separate satellites and at least three additional rideshare payloads (including ''TETRA-1)''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/04/25/us-space-force-tetra-1-satellite-prepared-for-launch-after-15-month-integration/ | title=US Space Force TETRA-1 Satellite Prepared for Launch After 15-month Integration – Parabolic Arc | date=25 April 2020 | access-date=10 September 2020 | archive-date=13 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813113321/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/04/25/us-space-force-tetra-1-satellite-prepared-for-launch-after-15-month-integration/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and weighs roughly {{cvt|3.7|t|lb}} at launch.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ralph|first=Eric|date=2020-09-09 |title=SpaceX's next Falcon Heavy launch slips into 2021|url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-next-falcon-heavy-launch-delayed-2021/|access-date=2020-09-10|publisher=Teslarati|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911152311/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-next-falcon-heavy-launch-delayed-2021/|url-status=live}}</ref> They were launched in a direct geosynchronous orbit, necessitating for the first time a planned partially expendable launch, that is, to deliberately expend the center core which lacks grid fins and landing gear needed for a landing,<ref>{{Cite web |title=USSF-44 centre core lacks landing gear and grid fins|url=https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1436489773691113480/photo/1|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916134450/https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1436489773691113480/photo/1|url-status=live}}</ref> while the two side-boosters landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.<ref>{{cite web |author=Clark |first=Stephen |title=After a three-year wait, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy could launch again later this month |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/10/05/after-a-three-year-wait-spacexs-falcon-heavy-could-launch-again-later-this-month/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005221640/https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/10/05/after-a-three-year-wait-spacexs-falcon-heavy-could-launch-again-later-this-month/ |archive-date=5 October 2022 |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=Spaceflight Now |quote=The core stage was expended on the USSF-44, while the rocket’s two side boosters returned to near-simultaneous landings in SpaceX’s recovery zone at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A military spokesperson said in 2021 that the Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters on the USSF-44 mission would target landing on two SpaceX drone ships floating downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.}}</ref> It was originally scheduled for Q1 2022, but it was delayed due to payload issues to 1 November 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/23/launch-of-nasas-psyche-asteroid-mission-delayed-to-late-september/ |title=Launch of NASA's Psyche asteroid mission delayed to late September |work=Spaceflight Now |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=3 September 2022 |quote=One of those missions, USSF 44, had been tentatively scheduled for late June, but has been postponed indefinitely.{{nbsp}}... All of the delays to the upcoming Falcon Heavy missions have been caused by payload issues. |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702133933/https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/05/23/launch-of-nasas-psyche-asteroid-mission-delayed-to-late-september/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Second stage featured a mission extension kit with a gray band painted on the [[Chemistry:RP-1|RP-1 kerosene]] fuel tank, which absorbs sunlight and keeps the propellant from freezing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Eric |date=2022-10-11 |title=SpaceX's first Falcon Heavy launch in three years eyes late-October liftoff |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-first-launch-three-years-take-two/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=TESLARATI |language=en-US |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011155557/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-first-launch-three-years-take-two/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 5
| 15 January 2023<br>22:56 UTC<ref>{{cite web |author=Clark |first=Stephen |title=After a three-year wait, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy could launch again later this month |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/10/05/after-a-three-year-wait-spacexs-falcon-heavy-could-launch-again-later-this-month/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005221640/https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/10/05/after-a-three-year-wait-spacexs-falcon-heavy-could-launch-again-later-this-month/ |archive-date=5 October 2022 |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=Spaceflight Now |quote=The Space Force said its USSF-67 mission, which the military says will launch into geosynchronous orbit like USSF-44, is currently scheduled for January.}}</ref>
| USSF-67<br />~{{cvt|3750|kg|disp=}}
| U.S. Space Force
| US$317 million<br><small>(includes new infrastructure<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-explains-why-the-u-s-space-force-is-paying-316-million-for-a-single-launch/ |title=Space News |date=9 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-date=22 February 2021 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20210222160200/https://spacenews.com/spacex%2Dexplains%2Dwhy%2Dthe%2Du%2Ds%2Dspace%2Dforce%2Dis%2Dpaying%2D316%2Dmillion%2Dfor%2Da%2Dsingle%2Dlaunch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>)</small>
|{{success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Used a new center core in an expendable configuration (no grid fins or landing gear), while the two reused<ref name=ussf67sideboosters>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |title=Falcon Heavy rocket on the launch pad for one of SpaceX's most complex missions – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/10/31/falcon-heavy-rocket-on-the-launch-pad-for-one-of-spacexs-most-complex-missions/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |language=en-US |quote=The next military mission to fly on a Falcon Heavy rocket, named USSF-67, will launch the LDPE 3 spacecraft and a Space Force communications satellite in tandem. That launch is scheduled for January, and will use the same Falcon Heavy side boosters flown on the USSF-44 mission, assuming a successful recovery on the landing zones at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the Space Force said. |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101101348/https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/10/31/falcon-heavy-rocket-on-the-launch-pad-for-one-of-spacexs-most-complex-missions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> side-boosters landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The second stage had a gray band for thermal purposes as the mission requirements were similar to the USSF-44 mission.<ref>{{cite web|title=Falcon Heavy could launch three U.S. Space Force missions in 2022|url=https://spacenews.com/falcon-heavy-could-launch-three-u-s-space-force-missions-in-2022//|website=spacenews.com|date=31 October 2021|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=6 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206164822/https://spacenews.com/falcon-heavy-could-launch-three-u-s-space-force-missions-in-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 6
| 1 May 2023<br>00:26 UTC<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/971|title=ViaSat-3 Americas & Arcturus|website=Next Spaceflight|access-date=9 February 2023|archive-date=1 May 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230501233624/https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/971|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Engineering:ViaSat-3|ViaSat-3]] Americas<br />Arcturus (Aurora 4A)<ref>{{cite web |last=Rainbow |first=Jason |url=https://spacenews.com/next-commercial-falcon-heavy-mission-to-launch-debut-astranis-satellite/ |title=Next commercial Falcon Heavy mission to launch debut Astranis satellite |work=SpaceNews |date=23 September 2021 |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053258/https://spacenews.com/next-commercial-falcon-heavy-mission-to-launch-debut-astranis-satellite/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-PPL-20210607-00075/8982903.pdf |title=Application for Fixed Satellite Service by Astranis Bermuda Ltd. – Attachment Narrative |work=Astranis Bermuda |publisher=FCC |date=7 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610055901/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-PPL-20210607-00075/8982903.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><br />G-Space 1 (aka Nusantara-H1-A)<br>~{{cvt|6200|kg}}
| [[Company:Viasat, Inc.|Viasat]]<br />[[Company:Astranis|Astranis]] / Pacific Dataport<br />PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara
|
| {{Success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Falcon Heavy was originally slated to launch the Viasat-2 satellite, but due to delays an [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]] [[Engineering:Launch vehicle|launch vehicle]] was used instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/arabsat-falcon-heavy-mission-slated-for-december-january-timeframe/ |title=Arabsat Falcon Heavy mission slated for December–January timeframe|date=June 1, 2018|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=12 June 2019|archive-date=3 June 2018|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20180603072617/http://spacenews.com/arabsat%2Dfalcon%2Dheavy%2Dmission%2Dslated%2Dfor%2Ddecember%2Djanuary%2Dtimeframe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Viasat maintained the launch option and delivered its next [[Astronomy:Ka band|Ka-band]] satellite aboard the Falcon Heavy – this one intended to provide service to the [[Earth:Americas|Americas]] region. Astranis' microGEO satellite Arcturus was manifested in late September 2021. Following a series of MVac engine burns and long periods of coasting, the upper stage of Falcon Heavy deployed the satellite into a near-geosynchronous orbit at approximately T+4:32:27.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/10/26/viasat-confirms-spacexs-falcon-heavy-will-launch-next-gen-broadband-satellite/ |title=Viasat confirms SpaceX's Falcon Heavy will launch next-gen broadband satellite |publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Stephen|last=Clark|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412011017/https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/10/26/viasat-confirms-spacexs-falcon-heavy-will-launch-next-gen-broadband-satellite/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viasat.com/news/viasat-spacex-enter-contract-future-viasat-3-satellite-launch |title=Viasat, SpaceX Enter Contract for a Future ViaSat-3 Satellite Launch|date=25 October 2018 |publisher=Viasat|access-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190003/https://www.viasat.com/news/viasat-spacex-enter-contract-future-viasat-3-satellite-launch|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The upper stage went on to successfully deploy the additional payloads, G-Space 1 and Arcturus. Featured a thermal gray band second stage.
|-
! align=center | 7
| 29 July 2023<br>03:04 UTC<ref>{{cite web |last=Baylor |first=Michael |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6944 |title=Falcon Heavy - EchoStar 24 (Jupiter 3) |access-date=6 January 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107092243/https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6944 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Jupiter-3 (EchoStar-24)<ref name=gunterJupiter3>{{cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jupiter-3.htm |title=Jupiter 3 / EchoStar 24 |work=Gunter's Space Page |date=6 May 2022 |access-date=7 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517133839/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jupiter-3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><br>~{{cvt|9200|kg}}
| EchoStar
| 
| {{Success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Heaviest commercial geostationary satellite weighing {{cvt|9200|kg|lb}} at launch. The second stage had a gray band for the same reason as on the USSF-44 flight, but this time it was configured for medium coast phase.<ref name=gunterJupiter3/> Core expended, two boosters recovered to land. Payload fairing recovery attempted.
|-
!8
|13 October 2023<br>14:19 UTC<ref name="jpl-20221028">{{cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=NASA Continues Psyche Asteroid Mission |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-continues-psyche-asteroid-mission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108030113/https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-continues-psyche-asteroid-mission |archive-date=8 November 2022 |access-date=28 October 2022 |work=[[Organization:JPL|JPL]] |publisher=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]]}}</ref>
|''[[Engineering:Psyche (spacecraft)|Psyche]]''<br>~{{cvt|2608|kg}}
|NASA ([[Astronomy:Discovery Program|Discovery]])
|US$117 million<ref name="NasaPsychePressRelease_2020-28-02">{{Source-attribution|{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-the-psyche-mission/ |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for the Psyche Mission|date=28 February 2020|publisher=NASA|access-date=28 February 2020|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228235925/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-the-psyche-mission|url-status=live}}|sentence=yes}}</ref>
|{{Active|Success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Falcon Heavy launched the {{cvt|2.6|t|lb|adj=on}} Psyche orbiter mission into a heliocentric orbit. From there, the [[Engineering:Psyche (spacecraft)|Psyche spacecraft]] will visit the [[Astronomy:16 Psyche|Psyche]] [[Astronomy:Asteroid|asteroid]] in the main asteroid belt.<ref name=NasaPsychePressRelease_2020-28-02/> Core expended, two boosters recovered to land. No gray band on second stage as the flight plan did not include long coast phases.
|-
! align=center | 9
|29 December 2023<br>01:07 UTC<ref>{{cite web |last=Davenport |first=Justin |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/12/otv-7/ |title=Falcon Heavy launches USSF-52 spaceplane |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=NASASpaceFlight}}</ref>
| USSF-52 ([[Astronomy:Boeing X-37|Boeing X-37]]B OTV-7)<br>~{{cvt|6350|kg}} + OTV payload
| Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Department of the Air Force scheduled to launch seventh X-37B mission |url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3583347/department-of-the-air-force-scheduled-to-launch-seventh-x-37b-mission/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=United States Space Force |language=en-US |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120180927/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3583347/department-of-the-air-force-scheduled-to-launch-seventh-x-37b-mission/ |url-status=live }}</ref>/U.S. Space Force
| US$149 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1559450/air-force-awards-afspc-52-launch-services-contract-to-spacex/ |title=Air Force Awards AFSPC-52 Launch Services Contract to SpaceX|publisher=Air Force Space Command|date=June 21, 2018|access-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628050728/https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1559450/air-force-awards-afspc-52-launch-services-contract-to-spacex/|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-20 |title=Contracts For Aug. 20, 2021 |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2741226/ |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=defense.gov |quote=Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California, has been awarded a $19,226,072 bilateral modification (P00009) to previously awarded Space Force 52 contract FA8811-18-C-0003... ...the total cumulative face value of the contract is $149,226,072. |archive-date=20 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720205557/https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2741226/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{Active|Success}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Second classified flight of Falcon Heavy, awarded in June 2018. This mission will be the fourth flight of the second [[Astronomy:Boeing X-37|X-37B]] vehicle and the seventh overall flight in the [[Astronomy:Boeing X-37|X-37B]] program, as well as the first X-37B flight to a high orbit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Erwin|first1=Sandra|url=https://spacenews.com/u-s-air-force-x-37b-spaceplane-to-launch-on-a-spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket/|title=U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket|publisher=SpaceNews|date=8 November 2023|access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=In a surprise move, the military's spaceplane will launch on Falcon Heavy |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/in-a-surprise-move-the-militarys-spaceplane-will-launch-on-falcon-heavy/ |publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=11 November 2023 |date=8 November 2023 |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110211350/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/in-a-surprise-move-the-militarys-spaceplane-will-launch-on-falcon-heavy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It will include NASA's ''Seeds-2'' experiment investigating the effects of space-based radiation on plant seeds during a long-duration spaceflight.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.space.com/space-force-x-37b-spacex-falcon-heavy-1st-launch-dec-2023 |title=SpaceX will launch the Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane on a Falcon Heavy rocket Dec. 10 |website=Space.com |date=9 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023 |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117201312/https://www.space.com/space-force-x-37b-spacex-falcon-heavy-1st-launch-dec-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 10
| {{abbr|NET|no earlier than}} April 2024<ref name=SMSR>{{cite web |url=https://sma.nasa.gov/docs/default-source/sma-disciplines-and-programs/smsr/smsr-intergrated-master-schedule_24feb2020.pdf |title=SMSR Integrated Master Schedule |work=Office of Safety and Mission Assurance |publisher=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614003506/https://sma.nasa.gov/docs/default-source/sma-disciplines-and-programs/smsr/smsr-intergrated-master-schedule_24feb2020aab4a269d2a865b9a1a0ff0f003ca228.pdf?sfvrsn=8290faf8_26 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |date=7 June 2021 |access-date=9 June 2021}}</ref>
| [[Engineering:GOES-U|GOES-U]]
| [[Organization:NASA|NASA]]
| US$152.5 million
| {{planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 | In September 2021, NASA awarded SpaceX launch services contract for the geostationary [[Engineering:GOES-U|GOES-U]] weather satellite.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Margetta|first=Robert|date=2021-09-10 |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for GOES-U Mission|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-goes-u-mission|access-date=2021-09-10|website=NASA|archive-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911071148/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-goes-u-mission/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 11
| {{abbr|NET|no earlier than}} 10 October 2024
| ''[[Astronomy:Europa Clipper|Europa Clipper]]''
| NASA ([[Astronomy:Planetary Missions Program Office|Planetary Missions]])
| US$178 million<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite press release |url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-the-europa-clipper-mission |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for the Europa Clipper Mission |publisher=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]] |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=24 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723222308/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-the-europa-clipper-mission/ |url-status=live }} }}</ref>
| {{Planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 | [[Astronomy:Europa Clipper|Europa Clipper]] will conduct a detailed survey of [[Astronomy:Europa (moon)|Europa]] and use a sophisticated suite of science instruments to investigate whether the icy moon has conditions suitable for life. Key mission objectives are to produce high-resolution images of Europa's surface, determine its composition, look for signs of recent or ongoing geological activity, measure the thickness of the moon's icy shell, search for subsurface lakes, and determine the depth and salinity of Europa's ocean. The mission will make flybys of Mars and Earth before arriving at Jupiter in April 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Flagship: Europa Clipper Inches Forward, Shackled to the Earth|url=https://www.supercluster.com/editorial/europa-clipper-inches-forward-shackled-to-the-earth|access-date=2021-12-06|website=Supercluster|language=en|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110104835/https://www.supercluster.com/editorial/europa-clipper-inches-forward-shackled-to-the-earth/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-11 |title=NASA to use commercial launch vehicle for Europa Clipper|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-to-use-commercial-launch-vehicle-for-europa-clipper/|access-date=2021-12-06|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20210216064656/https://spacenews.com/nasa%2Dto%2Duse%2Dcommercial%2Dlaunch%2Dvehicle%2Dfor%2Deuropa%2Dclipper/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! align=center | 12
| {{abbr|NET|no earlier than}} November 2024<ref>{{cite web |last=Colaprete |first=Anthony |url=https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/09-Colaprete-VIPER%20Overview%20for%20PAC%2008172020.pdf |title=VIPER: A lunar water reconnaissance mission |page=2 |publisher=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]] |date=17 August 2020 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=20 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201701/https://science.nasa.gov/science-pink/s3fs-public/atoms/files/09-Colaprete-VIPER%20Overview%20for%20PAC%2008172020.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-replans-clps-delivery-of-viper-to-2024-to-reduce-risk |title=NASA Replans CLPS Delivery of VIPER to 2024 to Reduce Risk |work=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]] |date=18 July 2022 |access-date=19 July 2022 |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718200943/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-replans-clps-delivery-of-viper-to-2024-to-reduce-risk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| [[Engineering:VIPER (rover)|VIPER]] (Griffin Mission 1)
| Astrobotic/NASA ([[Astronomy:Artemis program|Artemis]])
| Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web |last=Colaprete |first=Anthony |url=https://spacenews.com/astrobotic-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasas-viper-lunar-rover/ |title=Astrobotic selects Falcon Heavy to launch NASA's VIPER lunar rover |work=SpaceNews |date=13 April 2021 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210419082626/https://spacenews.com/astrobotic-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasas-viper-lunar-rover/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (list price US$90 million)
| {{Planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Astrobotic's Griffin lunar lander will deliver NASA's ''[[Engineering:VIPER (rover)|VIPER]]'' spacecraft to the [[Astronomy:Lunar south pole|lunar south pole]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/astrobotic-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasas-viper-lunar-rover/ |title=Astrobotic selects Falcon Heavy to launch NASA's VIPER lunar rover |work=SpaceNews |date=13 April 2021 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210419082626/https://spacenews.com/astrobotic-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasas-viper-lunar-rover/ |url-status=live }}</ref> expected to recover all 3 boosters.
|-
! align=center | –
| {{abbr|NET|no earlier than}} 2025<ref name="nasa-20210709" />
| [[Astronomy:Power and Propulsion Element|Power and Propulsion Element]] (PPE)<br />[[Astronomy:Lunar Gateway#HALO|Habitation and Logistics Outpost]] (HALO)
| [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] ([[Astronomy:Artemis program|Artemis]])
| US$331.8 million
| {{planned}}
|-
| colspan="6" | First elements for the [[Astronomy:Lunar Gateway|Gateway]] mini-station as part of the [[Astronomy:Artemis program|Artemis program]],<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web |title=NASA Assessments of Major Projects April 2020|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/706505.pdf|publisher=US Government Accountability Office|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501192353/https://www.gao.gov//assets/710/706505.pdf|url-status=live}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Stephen |title=NASA plans to launch first two Gateway elements on same rocket|publisher=Spaceflight Now|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/06/nasa-plans-to-launch-first-two-gateway-elements-on-same-rocket/|access-date=2020-09-30|archive-date=6 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506203725/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/06/nasa-plans-to-launch-first-two-gateway-elements-on-same-rocket/|url-status=live}}</ref> awarded in February 2021.<ref name=ppe>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite news|last1=Potter|first1=Sean |title=NASA Awards Contract to Launch Initial Elements for Lunar Outpost|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-contract-to-launch-initial-elements-for-lunar-outpost|access-date=9 February 2021|publisher=NASA|date=9 February 2021|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209213826/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-contract-to-launch-initial-elements-for-lunar-outpost/|url-status=live}} }}</ref> Maxar had already made $27.5 million in payments to SpaceX for the contract to launch the PPE, but later, NASA decided to launch both PPE and HALO together.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/changing-nasa-requirements-caused-cost-and-schedule-problems-for-gateway/ |title=Space News |date=12 November 2020 |access-date=9 February 2021 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053259/https://spacenews.com/changing-nasa-requirements-caused-cost-and-schedule-problems-for-gateway/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! align=center | –
| {{abbr|NET|no earlier than}} October 2026<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-roman-space-telescope |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Roman Space Telescope |work=[[Organization:NASA|NASA]] |date=19 July 2022 |access-date=19 July 2022 |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807002558/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-roman-space-telescope/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| [[Astronomy:Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope|Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope]]
| [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] ([[Company:Launch Services Program|Launch Services Program]])
| $255 million
| {{planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 | [[Astronomy:Infrared astronomy|Infrared]] [[Astronomy:Space telescope|space telescope]] to be stationed at Sun-Earth L2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-introduces-new-wider-set-of-eyes-on-the-universe|title=NASA Introduces New, Wider Set of Eyes on the Universe|date=February 18, 2016|access-date=July 20, 2022|quote=The observatory will begin operations after travelling to a gravitational balance point known as Earth-Sun L2|archive-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222102742/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-introduces-new-wider-set-of-eyes-on-the-universe/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! align=center | –
| 2026<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1650847888916791298|user=SciGuySpace|date=April 25, 2023|title=Astrobotic, which is launching its debut lander on Vulcan, said today it is purchasing a Falcon Heavy for its third lander mission to the Moon. This mission will launch an Astrobotic lander to the Moon's South Pole in 2026.}}</ref>
| TBA
| Astrobotic
|
| {{TBA}}
|-
| colspan=6 |Third Astrobotic lunar lander mission.
|-
! align=center | –
| 2026<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/after-vulcan-slips-space-force-ends-up-awarding-more-missions-to-spacex/ |publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=2 November 2023 |title=After Vulcan slips, Space Force ends up awarding more missions to SpaceX |date=2 November 2023 |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102145607/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/after-vulcan-slips-space-force-ends-up-awarding-more-missions-to-spacex/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/01/space-force-awards-spacex-ula-with-2point5-billion-for-21-launches.html |title=Space Force awards $2.5 billion in rocket contracts to SpaceX and ULA for 21 launches |website={{wipe|CNBC}} |date=1 November 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202144636/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/01/space-force-awards-spacex-ula-with-2point5-billion-for-21-launches.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |number=1719801383103168861 |title=Confirmed that the SSC table is correct. ULA is launching USSF-57 and SpaceX is launching GPS IIIF-1. |user=thesheetztweetz |date=1 Nov 2023}}</ref>
| [[Engineering:GPS Block IIIF|GPS IIIF-1]]
| USSF
|
| {{planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 |
|-
! align=center | –
| 2028<ref name="sn-20230313">{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-planning-to-spend-up-to-1-billion-on-space-station-deorbit-module/ |title=NASA planning to spend up to $1 billion on space station deorbit module |work=SpaceNews |date=13 March 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230612060511/https://spacenews.com/nasa-planning-to-spend-up-to-1-billion-on-space-station-deorbit-module/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-plans-to-start-work-this-year-on-first-gateway-logistics-mission/ |title=NASA plans to start work this year on first Gateway logistics mission |work=SpaceNews |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Clark">{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-to-deliver-cargo-to-gateway-station-in-lunar-orbit/ |title=NASA picks SpaceX to deliver cargo to Gateway station in lunar orbit – Spaceflight Now|first=Stephen|last=Clark|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328020010/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-to-deliver-cargo-to-gateway-station-in-lunar-orbit/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GLS-1 ([[Engineering:Dragon XL|Dragon XL]])
| [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] ([[Astronomy:Gateway Logistics Services|Gateway Logistics Services]])
|
| {{planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 | In March 2020, NASA announced its first contract for the [[Astronomy:Gateway Logistics Services|Gateway Logistics Services]] that guarantees at least two launches on a new Dragon XL resupply spacecraft on top of a Falcon Heavy that will carry over {{cvt|5|t|lb}} of cargo to the Lunar orbit on 6–12 months long missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-for-lunar-orbit-missions-with-dragon-xl-falocn-heavy.html |title=SpaceX's most powerful rocket will send NASA cargo to the moon's orbit to supply astronauts|first=Michael|last=Sheetz|date=March 27, 2020|publisher=CNBC|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=30 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330205822/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-for-lunar-orbit-missions-with-dragon-xl-falocn-heavy.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dragonXL"/>
|-
! align=center | –
| 2029<ref name="sn-20230313" />
| GLS-2 ([[Engineering:Dragon XL|Dragon XL]])
| [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] ([[Astronomy:Gateway Logistics Services|Gateway Logistics Services]])
|
| {{planned}}
|-
| colspan=6 | Second [[Engineering:Dragon XL|Dragon XL]] flight
|-
! align=center | –
| TBA
| TBA
| [[Company:Intelsat|Intelsat]]
|
| {{TBA}}
|-
| colspan=6 | This was the first commercial agreement of a Falcon Heavy, and was signed in May 2012.<ref name=spacenews-20180601>{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/arabsat-falcon-heavy-mission-slated-for-december-january-timeframe/ |title=Arabsat Falcon Heavy mission slated for December–January timeframe|publisher=SpaceNews|first=Caleb|last=Henry|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=June 2, 2018|archive-date=3 June 2018|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20180603072617/http://spacenews.com/arabsat%2Dfalcon%2Dheavy%2Dmission%2Dslated%2Dfor%2Ddecember%2Djanuary%2Dtimeframe/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, the contract option was still maintained but no definitive payload had been chosen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/968954/first-launch-spacex-elon-musk-could-happen-this-year |title=First EVER commercial launch via Elon Musk's SpaceX could happen before end of this year|first=Caitlin|last=Doherty|date=June 4, 2018|website=express.co.uk|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412011754/https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/968954/first-launch-spacex-elon-musk-could-happen-this-year|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

=== First commercial contracts ===
In May 2012, SpaceX announced that [[Company:Intelsat|Intelsat]] had signed the first commercial contract for a Falcon Heavy flight. It was not confirmed at the time when the first Intelsat launch would occur, but the agreement will have SpaceX delivering satellites to [[Engineering:Geosynchronous transfer orbit|geosynchronous transfer orbit]] (GTO).<ref name=ro20120530>{{cite web |title=SpaceX Announces First Commercial Contract For Launch In 2013 |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1112544685/spacex-announces-first-commercial-contract-for-launch-in-2013/|date=May 30, 2012|publisher=Red Orbit|access-date=December 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125006/http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1112544685/spacex-announces-first-commercial-contract-for-launch-in-2013/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=sx20120529>{{cite press release |title=Intelsat Signs First Commercial Falcon Heavy Launch Agreement With SpaceX|url=http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/intelsat-signs-first-commercial-falcon-heavy-launch-agreement-spacex|date=May 29, 2012|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=December 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807100859/http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/intelsat-signs-first-commercial-falcon-heavy-launch-agreement-spacex|archive-date=August 7, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2016, it emerged that this Intelsat contract had been reassigned to a [[Engineering:Falcon 9 Full Thrust|Falcon 9 Full Thrust]] mission to deliver [[Engineering:Intelsat 35e|Intelsat 35e]] into orbit in the third quarter of 2017.<ref name="sfn-20160830">{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/08/30/ses-agrees-to-launch-satellite-on-flight-proven-falcon-9-rocket/ |title=SES agrees to launch satellite on "flight-proven" Falcon 9 rocket|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Stephen|last=Clark|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831163110/http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/08/30/ses-agrees-to-launch-satellite-on-flight-proven-falcon-9-rocket/|archive-date=August 31, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Performance improvements of the [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9 vehicle family]] since the 2012 announcement, advertising {{cvt|8.3|t|lb}} to GTO for its expendable flight profile,<ref name="spacex-falcon9">{{cite web |title=Falcon 9|url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon9|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=August 30, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805175724/http://www.spacex.com/falcon9|archive-date=August 5, 2014 |date=November 16, 2012}}</ref> enable the launch of this 6 t satellite without upgrading to a Falcon Heavy variant.

In 2014, [[Company:Inmarsat|Inmarsat]] booked three launches with Falcon Heavy,<ref name=spacenews20140702>{{cite web|last1=de Selding|first1=Peter B. |title=Inmarsat Books Falcon Heavy for up to Three Launches |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/41121inmarsat-books-falcon-heavy-for-up-to-three-launches|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140811203600/http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/41121inmarsat-books-falcon-heavy-for-up-to-three-launches|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2014|publisher=SpaceNews|date=July 2, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2014}}</ref> but due to delays they switched a payload to [[Engineering:Ariane 5|Ariane 5]] for 2017.<ref name="sn-20161208">{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/inmarsat-shifts-satellite-from-spacex-to-arianespace/|title=Inmarsat shifts satellite from SpaceX to Arianespace|publisher=SpaceNews|first=Jeff|last=Foust|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053305/https://spacenews.com/inmarsat-shifts-satellite-from-spacex-to-arianespace/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly to the [[Engineering:Intelsat 35e|Intelsat 35e]] case, another satellite from this contract, [[Company:Inmarsat|Inmarsat 5-F4]], was switched to a Falcon 9 Full Thrust due to the increased liftoff capacity.<ref name="sn-20161103">{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/inmarsat-juggling-two-launches-says-spacex-to-return-to-flight-in-december/|title=Inmarsat, juggling two launches, says SpaceX to return to flight in December|publisher=SpaceNews|first=Peter B.|last=de Selding|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001053255/https://spacenews.com/inmarsat-juggling-two-launches-says-spacex-to-return-to-flight-in-december/|url-status=live}}</ref> The remaining contract covered the launch of Inmarsat-6 F1 in 2020 on a [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]].<ref name="gunter-inmarsat6">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/inmarsat-6.htm |title=Inmarsat-6 F1, 2|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609213617/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/inmarsat-6.htm|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Department of Defense contracts ===
In December 2012, SpaceX announced its first Falcon Heavy launch contract with the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The {{wipe|United States Air Force}} Space and Missile Systems Center awarded SpaceX two [[Engineering:Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle|Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle]] (EELV)-class missions, including the [[Organization:Space Test Program|Space Test Program 2]] (STP-2) mission for Falcon Heavy, originally scheduled to be launched in March 2017,<ref name="Leonard2016">{{cite news|last=David|first=Leonard|url=http://www.space.com/32567-nasa-green-propellant-mission-gpim.html |title=Spacecraft Powered by 'Green' Propellant to Launch in 2017|publisher=Space.com|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=April 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415195933/http://www.space.com/32567-nasa-green-propellant-mission-gpim.html |archive-date=April 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spacenews-20160809">{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-offers-large-rockets-for-small-satellites/ |title=SpaceX offers large rockets for small satellites|publisher=SpaceNews|first=Jeff|last=Foust|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=August 10, 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160810233348/http://spacenews.com/spacex-offers-large-rockets-for-small-satellites/|url-status=live}}</ref> to be placed at a near circular orbit at an altitude of {{cvt|700|km|mi}}, with an inclination of 70.0°.<ref name="eoPortal">{{cite news|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/dsac-deep-space-atomic-clock- |title=DSAC (Deep Space Atomic Clock)|work=NASA |publisher=Earth Observation Resources|date=2014|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306145518/https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/dsac-deep-space-atomic-clock-|archive-date=March 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2015, SpaceX sent the U.S. Air Force an updated letter of intent outlining a certification process for its Falcon Heavy rocket to launch national security satellites. The process includes three successful flights of the Falcon Heavy including two consecutive successful flights, and the letter stated that Falcon Heavy can be ready to fly national security payloads by 2017.<ref name=sn20150415>{{cite news|last1=Gruss|first1=Mike |title=SpaceX Sends Air Force an Outline for Falcon Heavy Certification|url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-sends-air-force-an-outline-for-falcon-heavy-certification/|access-date=April 21, 2015|publisher=SpaceNews|date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150416033321/http://spacenews.com/spacex-sends-air-force-an-outline-for-falcon-heavy-certification/|url-status=live}}</ref> But in July 2017, SpaceX announced that the first test flight would take place in December 2017, pushing the launch of the second launch (Space Test Program 2) to June 2018.<ref name="STP2 payload"/> In May 2018, on the occasion of the first launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5 variant, a further delay to October 2018 was announced, and the launch was eventually pushed to 25 June 2019.<ref name=Cooper/> The STP-2 mission used three Block 5 cores.<ref name="planetary20180511">{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Jason |title=LightSail 2 launch slips to Fall|url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/2018/20180511-lightsail2-launch-slip.html|access-date=May 13, 2018|publisher=The Planetary Society|date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512044225/http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/2018/20180511-lightsail2-launch-slip.html|archive-date=May 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

SpaceX was awarded 40% of the launches in Phase 2 of the [[Engineering:National Security Space Launch|National Security Space Launch]] (NSSL) contracts, which includes several launches and a vertical integration facility and development of a larger fairing, from 2024 to 2027.<ref>{{cite news|title=Space Force awards National Security Space Launch Phase 2 launch service contracts to ULA, SpaceX|date=August 7, 2020|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2305576/space-force-awards-national-security-space-launch-phase-2-launch-service-contra/|publisher=United States Air Force|access-date=December 5, 2022|archive-date=5 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205172406/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2305576/space-force-awards-national-security-space-launch-phase-2-launch-service-contra/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Space Test Program 2 (STP-2) mission ====
The payload for the [[Organization:Space Test Program|STP-2 mission]] of the Department of Defense included 25 small spacecraft from the U.S. military, NASA, and research institutions:<ref name="STP2 payload">{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=March 3, 2018 |title=Rideshare mission for U.S. military confirmed as second Falcon Heavy launch – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/03/01/rideshare-mission-for-u-s-military-confirmed-as-second-falcon-heavy-launch/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |publisher=Spaceflight Now |language=en-US |archive-date=3 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303180516/https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/03/01/rideshare-mission-for-u-s-military-confirmed-as-second-falcon-heavy-launch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Chemistry:Green Propellant Infusion Mission|Green Propellant Infusion Mission]] (GPIM) was a payload; it is a project partly developed by the U.S. Air Force to demonstrate a less-toxic propellant.<ref name="About"/><ref name='NASA PDF 2013'>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/GreenPropellantInfusionMissionProject_v2.pdf |title=Green Propellant Infusion Mission Project|access-date=February 26, 2014|date=July 2013|publisher=NASA |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140303013030/http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/GreenPropellantInfusionMissionProject_v2.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2014|url-status= live}} }}</ref>

Another secondary payload is the miniaturized [[Physics:Deep Space Atomic Clock|Deep Space Atomic Clock]] that is expected to facilitate autonomous navigation.<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite news|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4567 |title=Deep Space Atomic Clock|work=Jet Propulsion Laboratory|publisher=NASA|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210213448/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4567|archive-date=December 10, 2015|url-status=live}} }}</ref> The Air Force Research Laboratory's Demonstration and Science Experiments (DSX) has a mass of {{cvt|500|kg|lb}} and will measure the effects of very low frequency radio waves on space radiation.<ref name="STP2 payload"/> The British 'Orbital Test Bed' payload is hosting several commercial and military experiments.

Other small satellites included Prox 1, built by Georgia Tech students to test a 3D-printed thruster and a miniaturized [[Engineering:Gyroscope|gyroscope]], LightSail by [[Organization:The Planetary Society|The Planetary Society]],<ref name="PSO"/> Oculus-ASR nanosatellite from Michigan Tech,<ref name="Oculus-ASR (Nanosat 6)"/> and [[Engineering:CubeSat|CubeSat]]s from the U.S. Air Force Academy, the [[Organization:Naval Postgraduate School|Naval Postgraduate School]], the United States Naval Research Laboratory, the [[Organization:University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas at Austin]], [[Organization:California Polytechnic State University|California Polytechnic State University]], and a [[Engineering:CubeSat|CubeSat]] assembled by students at Merritt Island High School in Florida.<ref name="STP2 payload"/>

The Block 5-second stage allowed multiple reignitions to place its many payloads in multiple orbits. The launch was planned to include a {{cvt|5|t|lb}} ballast mass,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Eric |date=2018-06-10 |title=SpaceX Falcon Heavy with Block 5 rockets targets November launch debut |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-block-5-november-launch/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=TESLARATI |language=en-US |archive-date=22 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222033200/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-block-5-november-launch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but the ballast mass was later omitted from the {{cvt|3.7|t|lb}} total mass for the payload stack.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-surprise-falcon-heavy-booster-landing-distance-record/ |title=A SpaceX surprise: Falcon Heavy booster landing to smash distance record|date=19 June 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620113338/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-surprise-falcon-heavy-booster-landing-distance-record/|archive-date=June 20, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===NASA contracts===
====Solar System transport missions====
In 2011, NASA [[Organization:Ames Research Center|Ames Research Center]] proposed a [[Astronomy:Exploration of Mars|Mars mission]] called [[Astronomy:SpaceX Red Dragon|''Red Dragon'']] that would use a Falcon Heavy as the launch vehicle and trans-Martian injection vehicle, and a variant of the Dragon capsule to [[Astronomy:Atmospheric entry|enter]] the Martian atmosphere. The proposed science objectives were to detect [[Astronomy:Biosignature|biosignature]]s and to drill {{cvt|1|m|ft}} or so underground, in an effort to sample reservoirs of [[Astronomy:Water on Mars#Evidence of frozen water|water ice]] known to exist under the surface. The mission cost {{as of|2011|lc=on}} was projected to be less than US$425 million, not including the launch cost.<ref name=sdc20110731>{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike |title="Red Dragon" Mission Mulled as Cheap Search for Mars Life|url=http://www.space.com/12489-nasa-mars-life-private-spaceship-red-dragon.html|access-date=July 31, 2011|publisher=Space.com|date=July 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201051520/http://www.space.com/12489-nasa-mars-life-private-spaceship-red-dragon.html|archive-date=December 1, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> SpaceX 2015 estimation was {{cvt|2000–4000|kg}} to the surface of Mars, with a soft [[Engineering:Retropropulsive landing|retropropulsive landing]] following a limited atmospheric deceleration using a parachute and [[Astronomy:Heat shield|heat shield]].<ref name=nsf20150511>{{cite news|last1=Bergin|first1=Chris |title=Falcon Heavy enabler for Dragon solar system explorer |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/05/falcon-heavy-dragon-solar-system-explorer/|access-date=May 12, 2015|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513211939/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/05/falcon-heavy-dragon-solar-system-explorer/|archive-date=May 13, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Beyond the ''Red Dragon'' concept, SpaceX was seeing potential for Falcon Heavy and Dragon 2 to carry science payloads across much of the [[Astronomy:Solar System|Solar System]], particularly to [[Astronomy:Jupiter|Jupiter]]'s moon [[Astronomy:Europa (moon)|Europa]].<ref name=nsf20150511/> SpaceX announced in 2017 that propulsive landing for Dragon 2 would not be developed further, and that the capsule would not receive landing legs. Consequently, the ''Red Dragon'' missions to Mars were canceled in favor of [[Engineering:SpaceX Starship|Starship]], a larger vehicle using a different landing technology.<ref name="theverge">{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/19/15999384/elon-musk-spacex-dragon-capsule-mars-mission |title=Elon Musk suggests SpaceX is scrapping its plans to land Dragon capsules on Mars|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731225406/https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/19/15999384/elon-musk-spacex-dragon-capsule-mars-mission|archive-date=July 31, 2017|publisher=The Verge|date=July 19, 2017}}</ref>

==== Lunar missions ====
Falcon Heavy is the launch vehicle for the initial modules of the [[Astronomy:Lunar Gateway|Lunar Gateway]]: [[Astronomy:Power and Propulsion Element|Power and Propulsion Element]] (PPE) and [[Astronomy:Habitation and Logistics Outpost|Habitation and Logistics Outpost]] (HALO).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/05/24/nasa-chooses-maxar-to-build-keystone-module-for-lunar-gateway-station/ |title=NASA chooses Maxar to build keystone module for lunar Gateway station|first=Stephen|last=Clark|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=31 January 2020|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605140715/https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/05/24/nasa-chooses-maxar-to-build-keystone-module-for-lunar-gateway-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> To decrease complexity<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/06/nasa-plans-to-launch-first-two-gateway-elements-on-same-rocket/ |title=NASA plans to launch first two Gateway elements on same rocket|date=May 6, 2020|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=6 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506203725/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/06/nasa-plans-to-launch-first-two-gateway-elements-on-same-rocket/|url-status=live}}</ref> NASA announced in February 2021 that it is launching the first two elements on a single Falcon Heavy launch vehicle, targeting a launch date no earlier than 2025.<ref name="nasa-20210709" /><ref name=ppe/> Before switching to a merged launch, NASA listed in April 2020 Falcon Heavy as the launch vehicle for PPE lone launch.<ref>{{Source-attribution|sentence=yes|{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/706505.pdf |title=Assessments of Major Projects|date=2020|website=gao.gov|publisher=GAO|access-date=2020-10-24|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501192353/https://www.gao.gov//assets/710/706505.pdf|url-status=live}} }}</ref>

In March 2020, Falcon Heavy won the first award to a resupply mission to the Lunar Gateway, placing a new [[Engineering:Dragon XL|Dragon XL]] spacecraft on a translunar injection orbit.<ref name="dragonXL">{{cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-nasa-commercial-cargo-contract-for-lunar-gateway/ |title=SpaceX wins NASA commercial cargo contract for lunar Gateway|publisher=SpaceNews|date=March 27, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=29 March 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200329123606/https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-nasa-commercial-cargo-contract-for-lunar-gateway/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== ''Psyche'' and ''Europa Clipper'' ====
NASA chose Falcon Heavy as the launch vehicle for its [[Engineering:Psyche (spacecraft)|Psyche]] mission to a metallic asteroid; it launched on 13 October 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/psyche/2023/10/13/psyche-spacecraft-separates-from-falcon-heavy-second-stage/|title=Psyche Spacecraft Separates From Falcon Heavy Second Stage|date=13 October 2023|access-date=13 October 2023|archive-date=14 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014201652/https://blogs.nasa.gov/psyche/2023/10/13/psyche-spacecraft-separates-from-falcon-heavy-second-stage/|url-status=live}}</ref> The contract was worth US$117 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasa-psyche-asteroid-mission/ |title=Falcon Heavy to launch NASA Psyche asteroid mission|first=Jeff|last=Foust|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=February 29, 2020|website=spacenews.com|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200301115859/https://spacenews.com/falcon-heavy-to-launch-nasa-psyche-asteroid-mission/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/28/spacex-wins-the-117-million-launch-contract-to-explore-psyches-heavy-metal-asteroid/ |title=SpaceX wins the $117 million launch contract to explore Psyche's heavy metal asteroid|first=Jonathan|last=Shieber|date=February 29, 2020|access-date=February 29, 2020|publisher=TechCrunch|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229140138/https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/28/spacex-wins-the-117-million-launch-contract-to-explore-psyches-heavy-metal-asteroid/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/28/nasa-psyche-asteroid-mission-spacex/ |title=NASA's Psyche asteroid mission will use a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket|first=Mariella|last=Moon|date=February 29, 2020|access-date=February 29, 2020|publisher=Engadget|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229072945/https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/28/nasa-psyche-asteroid-mission-spacex/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Europa Clipper'' was initially targeted to be launched on an SLS rocket. However, due to extensive delays, in 2021 NASA awarded the launch contract to SpaceX for a fully expendable Falcon Heavy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Potter |first=Sean |date=2021-07-23 |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Europa Clipper Mission |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-europa-clipper-mission |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=NASA |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108221111/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-europa-clipper-mission/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Astronomy:Comparison of orbital launch systems|Comparison of orbital launch systems]]
* [[Engineering:Comparison of orbital launchers families|Comparison of orbital launchers families]]
* [[Astronomy:SpaceX Mars transportation infrastructure|SpaceX Mars transportation infrastructure]] <!-- SpaceX's ambitious plan for an even bigger, more powerful launch vehicle -->
* [[Astronomy:Saturn C-3|Saturn C-3]]
* [[Engineering:Delta IV Heavy|Delta IV Heavy]]

== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" responsive="1"></references>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/ Falcon Heavy official page]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk338VXcb24 Falcon Heavy flight animation], February 2018
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7LJIuB2CHE Elon Musk on how Falcon Heavy will change space travel, The Verge] YouTube

{{Falcon rocket launches}}
{{Reusable launch systems}}
{{Orbital launch systems}}
{{US launch systems}}

[[Category:SpaceX launch vehicles]]
[[Category:Partially reusable space launch vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|Falcon Heavy}}