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Launch vehicle · Space

Falcon Heavy

SpaceX heavy-lift launch vehicle built around three Falcon booster cores.

by SpaceX · Unveiled 2005

FieldedLaunch vehicleSpaceFirst flightFeb 6, 2018
spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy
Falcon Heavy lifting off from Launch Complex 39A on its demonstration flight

Photo: SpaceX · CC0 1.0

Milestones20052018
  1. UnveiledHeavy Falcon 9 configuration revealed and named Falcon 9 Heavy, reported
  2. First flightFalcon Heavy demonstration launch, confirmed

Timeline2

  1. UnveiledReported

    Heavy Falcon 9 configuration revealed and named Falcon 9 Heavy

    SpaceX's 8 September 2005 Falcon 9 announcement revealed a heavy configuration with strap-on first-stage boosters, and by 10 October 2005 it was publicly called the Falcon 9 Heavy, the predecessor designation of Falcon Heavy. Year precision only: the first use of the name falls between those two dates.

    SourcesNASASpaceFlight.comSpaceNews (SpaceX press release)

  2. First flightConfirmed

    Falcon Heavy demonstration launch

    SourcesNASA

Solid entries are confirmed, outlined reported, dashed estimated or still to come; dotted italic entries are speculative. Dates show only the precision the sources give.

Built with1

  • Two Merlin 1D engines mounted in a dual test stand

    Merlin

    FieldedEngine

    Merlin family powers the Falcon Heavy launch vehicle; individual engine generations are not separate products here.

    Link Confirmed

Cost to the government

  • Contract unit priceConfirmed
    $255M
    1 unit

    NASA Launch Services II task order (Jul 2022) for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on a Falcon Heavy: about $255M including launch service and other mission-related costs.

    NASA

Unit costs and contract unit prices for this product, and budget figures for the programs that buy it. Each figure states its dollar basis and links its source; contract values are under Programs & awards.

Sources5

  1. 1.
    Government recordNASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Roman Space Telescope

    NASA · Jul 19, 2022 · Supports: Cost · amount

    “The total cost for NASA to launch the Roman telescope is approximately $255 million, which includes the launch service and other mission related costs.”
  2. 2.
    NewsSpaceX reveals Falcon 1 Halloween date

    NASASpaceFlight.com · Oct 10, 2005 · Supports: System milestone

    “Three Falcon 9 first stages strapped together in a booster configuration provide provide the 25 tons to LEO capability of the Falcon 9 Heavy”
  3. 3.
    CompanySpaceX Announces the Falcon 9 Fully Reusable Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle

    SpaceNews (SpaceX press release) · Sep 8, 2005 · Supports: System milestone

    “55,000 lbs (25,000 kg) to LEO in its heavy configuration”
  4. 4.
    Government record5 Years Ago: First Flight of the Falcon Heavy Rocket

    NASA · Supports: System, System milestone

    “first demonstration flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket took place on Feb. 6, 2018”
  5. 5.
    CompanyFalcon User’s Guide

    SpaceX · Supports: System · system component:merlin

    “10 Merlin engines (Falcon 9) or 28 engines (Falcon Heavy)”

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.