SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch approaches

Falcon Heavy in the HIF at LC-39A
Photo Credit // SpaceX

The first photos of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket fully assembled, minus the payload, have been released to the public. The Falcon Heavy sits inside the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at LC-39A, as it waits to be connected to the transporter for fitting checks on the launch pad. Falcon Heavy was first mentioned back in September of 2005 and was proposed to the public in Washington D.C on April of 2011, with a planned initial test flight in 2013. After many years of delays, the Falcon Heavy has slowly become a reality with the testings of reused boosters that have been converted into side boosters. The core stage has been redesigned to withstand the forces and vibrations from the side boosters during launch and mid-flight. It is currently planned to launch in January of 2018 after several static fires have been conducted and after the payload is ready. Elon Musk stated that the payload for the mission will be his cherry red original Tesla Roadster which will be launched and the "destination is Mars orbit".