SpaceX flight

At least four of us in my family have been highly anticipating the test flight of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. It's finally going to happen:

"SpaceX Falcon Heavy Ready For Highly Anticipated Test Flight On February 6"

Photo: spaceflightnow.com

Its first stage is three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together, for a total of 27 engines that must ignite all at once. All three will return to earth to be re-used in the future. 

"The cost of each Falcon Heavy flight is roughly $90 million, already much cheaper than the last super heavy rocket in use, the Delta IV, which blasted off at a price tag of around $400 million."

If this works next Tuesday - if the FH successfully makes it into orbit -  "it will be a mind-boggling feat of skill and engineering."

(this blog will cover the test flight next Monday and Tuesday)