SpaceX showed off the first static-fire engine test for the center core of its three-core Falcon Heavy rocket – a yet-to-be-flown launch vehicle that could someday send robotic probes to Mars. The heavy-lift rocket has been in the works for years. Last week’s test firing took place at SpaceX’s rocket development center in McGregor, Texas, and the video was tweeted out today. SpaceX is targeting the Falcon Heavy’s first flight for this summer, with two previously flown Falcon 9 boosters serving as the side cores. The Falcon Heavy would be the most powerful American booster built since the Saturn V moon rocket, and could be used for SpaceX’s Red Dragon missions to Mars as well as passenger flights around the moon.
First static fire test of a Falcon Heavy center core completed at our McGregor, TX rocket development facility last week. pic.twitter.com/tHUHc1QiKG
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 9, 2017