It looks like Space X is ready to get back and move on to a regular flight schedule after an explosive Falcon 9 event last year. Last January 14, Space X made a successful return and is now ready to go on a regular mission. On January 30, the Falcon 9 will launch from Cape Canaveral to carry an EchoStar 23 communications satellite to a geostationary orbit.
In an article that appeared in Tech Portal, Space X CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Falcon 9 that will carry the satellite to orbit is the last of its expandable rockets. After completing the mission, the Falcon 9 will try to attempt a difficult landing on a drone ship floating in the Pacific Ocean. The rocket will travel over 40,000 kilometers to deliver the load to its destination. Space X confirmed that it is ready to compromise this rocket.
At 5.4 imperial tons, this Falcon 9 rocket will eat up too much fuel but just enough to perform a drone landing. However, in a report that appeared in Engadget, future launches will utilize the higher performance Block 5 or Falcon Heavy. The next mission, according to Musk, is by the end of this year. In the future, Space X shall be aiming to land a vehicle from orbit. With this plan, the company is hoping to save up on expenses while helping normalize private spaceflight using reusable rockets.
In an interview that appeared in the website of Ars Tenica, Space X CEO Elon Musk revealed that Block 5 will be the last upgrade of the Falcon architecture. These new rockets will have improved performance and can be easily reused. It will be powered by an updated Merlin-1D rocket engine and will use chilled and densified propellant, giving the rocket 30 percent lift performance compared to its predecessors.
Indeed, Space X has moved on since the last explosion that happened to one of its rockets.
