The infrequent launch rate of heavy-lift rockets has drawn attention towards the Falcon Heavy due to the fact that launches of such vehicles are quite uncommon. Return flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket after an 18-month period will not only be a launch, but also remind people that some vehicles are designed to perform functions that are not typical of ordinary launchers.
Features of the rocket give Falcon Heavy advantage in comparison with many other launchers in contemporary market. For example, this rocket has rather simple design consisting of three modified Falcon 9 vehicles assembled to create up to 27 Merlin engines needed for liftoff. Combined thrust of all engines reaches 5.1 million pounds, thus making Falcon Heavy one of the most powerful launch vehicles available nowadays. Such a rocket is required for performance of high-energy missions that need a lot of thrust to carry loads to geostationary transfer orbit and beyond.
ViaSat-3 F3, the communication satellite that will be sent to geostationary orbit in order to provide broadband service across Asia-Pacific region, will be among the satellites launched with Falcon Heavy return mission. While this satellite may not be considered as an example of the glory of planetary science, it plays very important role in the space industry. Geostationary orbit gives an opportunity for spacecraft to stay stationary relative to particular territory and provide its communication services throughout the period. This orbit serves well as a basis for provision of aviation communication services, regional broadband networks and many other applications.
As the third spacecraft in the series, the satellite will guarantee completion of the network to provide broadband service to several regions. As David Abrahamian, vice president at ViaSat, has mentioned in his statement, “This launch marks a pivotal moment in our journey to bring fast, secure and reliable high capacity, highly flexible broadband to our commercial, defense and consumer customers.”
Thus, this launch proves that not every mission involving a large launcher and communication satellite can be considered irrelevant. Contemporary space industry requires large and powerful launchers to build space infrastructure, including internet and communication services. Despite seeming unpretentious, the role that this kind of satellites plays in provision of governmental and military services cannot be underestimated. Therefore, this explains the necessity for development of powerful launchers within contemporary competitive environment.
The use of partially reusable booster rockets and expendable central core of Falcon Heavy allows for efficient operation of the rocket, providing sufficient amount of thrust necessary to launch satellites for high-energy missions. This also becomes the reason for maintaining such rocket as one of the essential parts of SpaceX launch vehicle family along with Falcon 9 rocket, used mainly for commercial purposes, and the biggest rocket in SpaceX arsenal Starship. Each launch of Falcon Heavy demonstrates the importance of powerful launchers for launching satellites for earth-related missions, regardless of progress achieved by space industry.