But this configuration still works as the rocket is launched with the core booster un-fueled. As it lumbers toward the heavens, the four outer boosters lift the empty core booster with its 45 metric ton habitat (the Hab) module. Each of the outer boosters begins cross-feeding the core booster in the same manner as the Falcon Heavy configuration, albeit sending only a quarter of their propellant. Once the outer boosters flame out (first the NS pair and then the EW pair), separate and drop away, the core booster will be at the threshold of space, fully-fueled and ready to fire the craft on a trajectory towards Mars. Far above the bulk of Earth’s atmosphere and already moving at nearly 10 km/s, the kick from this single booster will send them on their historic journey.
In the 90’s, when Dr. Robert Zubrin presented the Mars Direct Plan, he described this launch style as a ‘lift and throw’. Since Bolo One’s launch lifted off on schedule without any countdown holds, it was not necessary to actually go into orbit of Earth. The launch was a direct throw to Mars.
Although only able to view the ISS on the monitors, the entire crew gave the station a rather non-military single-digit salute in its direction as they passed it by, a good 290 kilometers off the port beam. Ironically, at that moment, a message came over the radio, directly from Leonid Korotaev, a former ISS crewmate of Brandon’s, still serving onboard the ISS, “Живите долго и процветать, янки сукины дети. [Live long and prosper, Yankee sons of bitches.]” As many of the U.S. astronauts studied Russian in preparation for duty aboard the ISS, Valerie and Sally both burst out laughing at the missive.
“И то же самое для вас, мой друг. Я жду, чтобы поделиться напитком, когда я вернусь, [And the same to you, my friend. I’ll expect to share a drink when I get back.]” Brandon replied to his old friend.