SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket has launched on a mission for the United States Space Force. This is the company's fourth flight of their large payload launch vehicle, which first flew in 2018. SpaceX's 50th launch will take place in 2022.
The cargo for today's launch comprises two US space force satellites, one of which will be used for "different prototype missions" in geosynchronous orbit and another whose nature and function will be kept secret for national defense concerns.
While SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket is used far less frequently than its Falcon 9 rocket (the most recent launch was in 2019), it has a respectable track record over four missions. In comparison to the Falcon 9, the Falcon Heavy has three boosters for increased thrust and lift capacity.
The mission also comprised the 150th and 151st successful landings of SpaceX's orbital rockets. The central core was not retrieved because it was set to expendable mode, allowing the payload to spend the maximum amount of fuel to reach its intended orbit.
