Request SpaceX Falcon X/Heavy HLV

[2552]

On July 28 SpaceX gave a presentation to the Joint Propulsion Conference on the Merlin 2 engine and the Falcon X, a single-core LV with 38 tons to LEO, with a 3-core version, the Falcon X Heavy, with 125 tons to LEO. There's also a larger vehicle, the Falcon XX, a single-core HLV with 140 tons to LEO.

http://commercialspace.pbworks.com/f/SpaceX_Overview_TEM small.pptx

http://commercialspace.pbworks.com/f/Markusic - SpaceX Propulsion small.pptx

NSF thread on presentation:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22395

 

[silent_protagonist]

Oi, the Falcon XX is a real monster. :blink: I've heard rumors that Spacex was cooking up a Saturn V class rocket before, but this is the first time I've seen official Spacex documents about it. Lets hope they get to see the light of day (in it's pure, un-adulterated-by-atmosphere form).

 

[RisingFury]

There goes the "Commercial space travel will never leave LEO." myth.

I seriously hope it gets built and flown...

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I knew Elon Musk wanted to get to Mars, but wow!
That's agressive. I too hope they go forward with it.

 

[Dambuster]

From further down in the same thread:

 

[Kyle]

I just wish both NASA and SpaceX would get the right amount of funding. Seriously, how cool would it be to have a Direct and a Falcon XX? One of the reasons I don't understand the favoritism towards one or the other. They make it seem its GOT to be Government or its GOT to be commercial.

 

[astrosammy]

Wow, should be enough to boost Dragon to the moon.

 

[anemazoso]

This is sooo awesome! Being a space cadet for all of my life I have always been fairly jaded because in my life time (my 30) I have seen many disapointments. So when SpaceX anounced the F9 I was very skeptical it would fly at first. Fortunatley I was proven wrong. I have rooted them on the whole time and Elon has become something of a hero to me. I truely hope his vision comes to pass.

BTW, watching TWIS today I learned Elon was on The Colbert Report this week. Gotta check it out if you haven't. It was Thursdays episode.

 

[silent_protagonist]

BTW, watching TWIS today I learned Elon was on The Colbert Report this week. Gotta check it out if you haven't. It was Thursdays episode.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/341483/july-28-2010/elon-musk

---------- Post added at 01:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 AM ----------

...and for the record, definitely a super-villain.

 

[RisingFury]

Wow, should be enough to boost Dragon to the moon.

Probably a lander as well...

I seriously doubt that both Falcon X heavy and Falcon XX would get built though. I think Falcon X heavy is a safer bet for SpaceX, given that they have to develop the Falcon X first - which already has a commercial market...

 

[Voyager]

America is heading to the moon sooner than we expected. I say we launch the mission to mars is by using a slingshot around venus.

 

[silent_protagonist]

I just realized that none of these use the Big "Falcon" Rocket moniker. Pity...