Never content to sit idly by and allow would-be competitors to play catch-up, SpaceX has been hard at work on a new Falcon model code named the ‘Block 5’. Improvements include:
- 7-8% more thrust from the engines
- an improved flight control system for an optimized angle of attack on the descent
- a reusable heat shield protecting the engines and plumbing at the base of the rocket
- a set of black retractable landing legs for rapid recovery and shipping
…and plenty more features guaranteed to make this another superstar of a rocket.
After months of careful testing, a launch date for the first Block 5 flight has been announced of April 24th. Many things can cause such a window to be adjusted, but that one will go on the calendar and hopefully demo to us all that new and improved platform!
References:
(Falcon 9 Full Thrust – Wikipedia)
(Teslarati)