[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

Intelsat and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), announced the first commercial contract for the Falcon Heavy rocket. The companies will work closely together as the Falcon Heavy completes flight tests prior to future launch requirements.

Thierry Guillemin (CTO, Intelsat):  Timely access to space is an essential element of our commercial supply chain.

This is the first commercial contract for SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. Under the agreement, an Intelsat satellite will be launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).

The Falcon Heavy is the most powerful rocket in the world says the company, and historically is second only to the Apollo-era Saturn V moon rocket. Capable of lifting 53 metric tons (117,000 pounds) to low Earth orbit and over 12 metric tons (26,000 pounds) to GTO, Falcon Heavy will provide more than twice the performance to low Earth orbit of any other launch vehicle.

Building on the architecture of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, Falcon Heavy meets both NASA human rating standards as well as the U.S. Air Force requirements for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.