Falcon Heavy's 27 Merlin engines are looking crisp ahead of the rocket's upcoming launch.
engines are capable or producing over 5 million pounds force of thrust at liftoff, and can launch almost 60 thousand pounds to geosynchronous orbit.
Depending on mission parameters, Falcon Heavy is designed for full reuse, but launches with the option for booster expandability in the event a payload's mass or orbital specifications require the rocket expel more fuel than required for its safe return. For the Jupiter 3/EchoStar 24 mission, the rocket's two side boosters are expected to perform boost-back burns to return to SpaceX's Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral, approximately 8 or 9 minutes after launch.
The core booster, however, will not attempt a sea landing on one of SpaceX's autonomous drone ships, as is typical for and Falcon Heavy launches. Instead, the core stage will use its fuel reserves to place the hefty Jupiter 3 in its proper orbit.
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