Falcon 9
 | |
.jpg) SpaceX's Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket lifts off from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A with the Bangabandhu-1 satellite (15 May 2018). | |
| Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch |
|
| Size | |
| Height |
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| Diameter | 3.7 metres (12 feet) |
| Mass |
|
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO (28.5°) |
|
| Payload to GTO (27°) |
|
| Payload to Mars | FT: 4,020 kilograms (8,860 pounds) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Derivatives | Falcon Heavy |
| Launch history | |
| Status |
|
| Launch sites | |
| Total launches |
|
| Successes |
|
Falcon 9 is a family of launch vehicles that are built by SpaceX. It is named for its use of nine rocket engines. It is powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1). The current version can launch payloads of up to 22,800 kilograms (50,300 pounds) to Low Earth orbit. It can launch up to 8,300 kilograms (18,300 pounds) to Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). In theory, it can also launch 4,020 kilograms (8,860 pounds) to Mars.[3]
NASA gave SpaceX a Commercial Resupply Services contract to launch Falcon 9s with Dragon capsules to the ISS.[4] Now SpaceX is trying to human-rate the Falcon 9 so that SpaceX can launch crews to the ISS in this year. The first version of the Falcon 9 flew in 4 June 2010. The latest version, Block 5, was introduced in 15 May 2018 with increased engine power and other changes to help recovery and reuse.
Related pages[change | change source]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "Musk: 100 Launches Per Falcon 9 Block 5 Booster is Possible". Parabolic Arc. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ↑ Seemangal, Robin (May 4, 2018). "SpaceX Test-Fires New Falcon 9 Block 5 Rocket Ahead of Maiden Flight (Updated)". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
- ↑ "Falcon 9 | SpaceX". Retrieved 2019-05-15.
- ↑ Amos, Jonathan (8 October 2012). "SpaceX lifts off with ISS cargo". BBC News. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
