NASA’s Roman Space Telescope: Falcon Heavy Upper Stage Takes Over
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy carrying NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has completed a rapid series of ascent milestones. The post NASA’s Roman Space Telescope: Falcon Heavy Upper Stage Takes Over appeared first on NASA Science .
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket successfully delivered NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope into orbit. The center core of the Falcon Heavy reached main engine cutoff, or MECO, and the first and second stages separated shortly thereafter. About four minutes after launch, the Merlin Vacuum engine on the second stage ignited for the first time, known as the SES-1 engine start.
Shortly after, the Falcon Heavy's fairing separated into two halves and parachuted back to Earth, no longer required as Roman was protected from the dense lower-atmosphere portion of flight by the fairing. Mission controllers are poised to receive a signal from the observatory via NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system.
The Falcon Heavy's two side boosters returned to Earth, with one landing at Landing Zone 2 and the other at Landing Zone 40. One side booster marked its first flight, while the other completed its third flight, previously supporting the GOES-U and Viasat-3 F3 missions. The Roman Space Telescope remains attached to the Falcon Heavy's second stage, with its engine still burning.
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