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Second Stage Fueling Started

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with the Psyche spacecraft onboard is ready for launch at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with the Psyche spacecraft onboard is ready for launch at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Photo credit: NASA Television

SpaceX confirms fueling for the second stage of the Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the Psyche spacecraft is underway at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Three Falcon 9 engine cores, each housing nine Merlin engines, make up the Falcon Heavy and combine to generate more than five million pounds of thrust at liftoff – equal to approximately 18 747 aircraft.

Merlin engines – originally designed for recovery and reuse – use RP-1 and liquid oxygen as rocket propellants in a gas-generator power cycle.

Falcon Heavy utilizes the same second stage and same payload fairing as flown on Falcon 9.

In about 25 minutes, engine chill will begin on the rocket in preparation for launch, followed by the rocket and spacecraft transitioning to internal power.