---
title: "SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Launch Could Be as Soon as February 6"
description: "The rocket could potentially launch as soon as two weeks after passing its much-anticipated static fire test, according to journalist Chris Gebhardt."
date: "2018-01-27"
modified: "2018-01-28"
authors:
  - name: "Chelsea Gohd"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/chelseagohd"
url: "https://futurism.com/falcon-heavy-launch-february"
categories:
  - "Falcon"
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
tags:
  - "elon musk"
  - "Falcon Heavy"
  - "SpaceX"
---

# SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Launch Could Be as Soon as February 6

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/38583831555_5931f05b07_k-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/38583831555/in/dateposted/" target="\_blank"\>SpaceX/Flickr\</a\>\</em\>*

**UPDATE:** On Saturday, [Elon Musk tweeted](<https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/957361443023695872>) that SpaceX is, indeed, aiming for a February 6 launch:

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/957361443023695872

## Falcon Heavy

Many have been on the edge of their seats for weeks in anticipation of a launch date for SpaceX's powerful, mostly reusable rocket, the Falcon Heavy. On Friday, Jan. 26, Chris Gebhardt of [NASASpaceflight.com](<https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/>) tweeted that the Falcon Heavy launch [will occur on Feb. 6 from Cape Canaveral](<https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-date-feb-6-tesla-roadster-payload/>), with a potential [backup date the following day (February 7).](<https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-date-feb-6-tesla-roadster-payload/>) Gebhardt's prediction came after the rocket passed its much-anticipated [static fire test](<https://futurism.com/falcon-heavy-static-fire-successful>).

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/956964986353528832

Elon Musk quickly followed up the successful testing by [tweeting that the rocket would be ready to launch](<https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/956233892637286400>) within "a week or so," which Gebhardt also confirmed on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/956968475695681536

As of yet, [SpaceX has not officially confirmed the date](<https://www.cnet.com/news/elon-musks-giant-spacex-falcon-heavy-mars-rocket-could-launch-feb-6-2018/>). Gebhardt followed up his initial announcement by clarifying that February 6 is only a No-Earlier-Than date; meaning the date is the soonest SpaceX could realistically launch the rocket.

## Launch Date

While the static fire test was the last major hurdle the Falcon Heavy had to jump over before it could be considered generally ready for takeoff, the time between now and the official launch will be filled with double checking the rocket's components and carefully ensuring that everything is exactly in order.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FchYkM6luM

Many are excited to see if the Falcon Heavy will, in fact,[ launch a Tesla Roadster into space;](<https://futurism.com/spacex-sending-tesla-roadster-mars-believe-when-see>) Musk's proposed method of simulating the heavy loads it will later carry into orbit. However, there are still significant doubts about whether Musk was serious about sending his personal Roadster as a trial payload.

Whether or not the launch happens on exactly February 6 (or 7), and whether or not there's a Roadster aboard, one thing is undeniable: we're closer than ever to seeing the[ Falcon Heavy liftoff.](<http://bgr.com/2018/01/26/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-date-confirmed-february-6th/>)

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/chelsea_gohd>)