https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/10/the-worlds-most-powerful-rocket-finally-returns-after-a-3-year-absence/< Edited >
This will be SpaceX's first "direct-to-GEO" mission, which means the powerful Falcon Heavy rocket will launch its payload directly into a geostationary orbit nearly 36,000 km above the Earth's surface. Typically such payloads are injected into a transfer orbit, and then the spacecraft's onboard propellant is used to raise the vehicle to a circular geostationary orbit. In this case, however, Falcon Heavy's first and second stages will be doing all the work.
Not much is known about the two spacecraft launching on this mission for Space Force. The primary payload is classified. The secondary payload is a small satellite called Tetra-1, which is a prototype for a kind of satellite the US military hopes to fly one day in geostationary orbit—to do something.
In an emailed news release discussing the launch, Space Force was not particularly helpful with its description of the satellites: "The Long Duration Propulsive EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (LDPE ESPA)-2 and Shepherd Demonstration will carry a variety of payloads that will promote and accelerate the advancement of space technology for the benefit of future Programs of Record."
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The US military is especially keen to see a proven Falcon Heavy. While the Falcon 9 rocket is powerful, it does not have the ability to hit all nine of the Department of Defense's reference orbits required for its launch providers to hit. So with the Falcon Heavy, SpaceX is at an advantage in terms of bidding on military launch contracts. The only other operational US rocket capable of this is United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket, but it is retiring in two years. Its replacement, Vulcan, has yet to fly.
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