Mission management teams have polled “go” to begin fueling the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as the countdown continues toward the launch of NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite U) mission from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Composed of a central core and dual side boosters, the two-stage SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is fueled with a refined kerosene, referred to as RP-1, and liquid oxygen. Combined, the 27 Merlin main engines generate five million pounds of thrust.
Falcon Heavy uses the same second stage and payload fairing as flown on SpaceX’s single-booster rocket variant, Falcon 9. The GOES-U satellite is the second mission for NASA’s Launch Services Program to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, with NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, launched in October 2023, being the first.
The second stage fueling is slated to begin in about 20 minutes.
As the countdown continues, follow the GOES-U blog for mission milestones or watch NASA’s live coverage on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
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