Falcon 9
partially reusable orbital launch vehicle by SpaceX / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket. It was designed and manufactured by SpaceX in the United States. Parts of the rocket can be used more than one time. The latest version of the first stage can return to Earth and be flown again many times. Both the first and second stages are powered by SpaceX Merlin engines. They use cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) as fuel. Its name comes from the fictional Star Wars spacecraft, the Millennium Falcon. The 9 is for the nine engines of the rocket's first stage.[15][16] There have been many versions of the rocket. These include v1.0 (2010–2013), v1.1 (2013–2016) and v1.2 Full Thrust (2015–present). It also includes the Falcon 9 Block 5 version.
Falcon 9 | |
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partially reusable orbital launch vehicle by SpaceX | |
Has use | Orbital launch vehicle |
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Country of origin | United States |
Cost per launch | |
Size | |
Height | |
Diameter | 3.7 m (12 ft)[3] |
Mass | |
Stages | 2 |
Capacity | |
Payload to Low Earth orbit (LEO) | |
Orbital inclination | 28.5° |
Mass | |
Payload to Geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) | |
Orbital inclination | 27.0° |
Mass | |
Payload to Mars transfer orbit | |
Mass | FT: 4 t (8,800 lb)[1] |
Associated rockets | |
Derivative work | Falcon Heavy |
Launch history | |
Status |
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Launch sites |
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Total launches |
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Success(es) |
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Failure(s) | 1 (v1.1: CRS-7 in-flight) |
Partial failure(s) | 1 (v1.0: CRS-1)[8] |
Notable outcome(s) | 1 (FT: Amos-6 pre-flight destruction) |
Landings | Template:Falcon rocket statistics / Template:Falcon rocket statistics attempts |
First flight | |
Last flight |
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First stage | |
Powered by |
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Maximum thrust | |
Specific impulse | |
Burn time | |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
Second stage | |
Powered by |
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Maximum thrust | |
Specific impulse | |
Burn time | |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
It also includes the Block 5 Full Thrust version. This version has been used since May 2018. Most rockets can only be used one time. SpaceX has landed Falcon 9 boosters over a hundred times. [17] The first stages have been used as many as eleven times.[18]
Falcon 9 can carry of up to 22,800 kilograms (50,300 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO). If fully used, it can carry 8,300 kg (18,300 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The rocket can carry 5,500 kg (12,100 lb) to GTO when the first stage is recovered. It has a cargo size of ]145 cubic meters of volume[19] The heaviest GTO loads carried have been Intelsat 35e (6,761 kg (14,905 lb)) and Telstar 19V (7,075 kg (15,598 lb)).
In 2008, SpaceX won a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. They would take cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) using the Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule. The first mission under this contract launched on 8 October 2012.[20] Falcon 9 can take NASA astronauts to the ISS. It is also certified for the National Security Space Launch[21] program and NASA Launch Services Program as "Category 3". This means it can be used with the most expensive, important and complex NASA missions.[22] Falcon 9 is said to be the world's most advanced space launch vehicle by many sources.[23][24][25] As of January 2021, Falcon 9 has the most launches among all U.S. rockets that are currently being used. It is the only U.S. rocket fully certified for transporting humans to the International Space Station.[26][27][28] It is also the only commercial rocket to take humans to orbit.[29] On 24 January 2021, Falcon 9 set a new record for the most satellites launched by a single rocket. It carried 143 satellites into orbit.[30]
Five rockets of the version 1.0 design were launched from June 2010 to March 2013. Version 1.1 had fifteen launches from September 2013 to January 2016. The "Full Thrust" version has been used since December 2015. There are many upgrades to this version. The latest Full Thrust variant, Block 5, was introduced in May 2018.[31] It has more thrust, improved landing legs and other minor improvements to help recovery and reuse. The Falcon Heavy version was first flown in February 2018. It has a stronger Falcon 9 first stage as its center core. It also has two added Falcon 9 first stages used as boosters. SpaceX plans to replace Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy with the much larger Starship launch system.[32]