Falcon 9 rocket full#

(That record was previously set in 2020, with SpaceX launching 26 Falcon 9 rockets.) The Falcon 9 program to date has achieved several milestones, including landing a first stage booster on a barge at sea and on land, as well as successfully re-flying a flown orbital class booster.Saturday's early morning liftoff is one for the record books as it marks the 29th Falcon 9 mission for SpaceX so far in 2021, further solidifying a new company record for the most number of rocket launches in a year.

The vehicle is capable of carrying a 50,265-pound payload to Low-Earth Orbit, an 18,300-pound payload to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit or an 8,860-pound payload on a Mars trajectory. The rocket is designed to fly up to ten times without refurbishing and up to 100 times with periodic refurbishing. First stage thrust is increased to 1.71 million pounds at liftoff. The use of this denser fuel coupled with an extended fuel tank allows more fuel to be loaded into the rocket, increasing liftoff thrust and burn time. The vehicle employs liquid oxygen that is super cold, nearly at its freezing point.

Falcon 9 rocket full#

The Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) is currently in use. FALCON 9 FULL THRUST (BLOCK 5) VERSIONįalcon 9 Full Thrust (Block 5) Launch, Photo Courtesy SpaceX The rocket could carry a maximum 28,991-pound payload to Low-Earth Orbit or a maximum 10,692-pound payload to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The composite payload fairing measures 43 feet high by 17.1 feet wide. The pressurized Dragon capsule measures 23.6 feet high by 12 feet wide and is designed to carry cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. The second stage burned for about 375 seconds after ignition and could be restarted multiple times as needed. The Falcon 9 Version 1.1 second stage was comprised of a single Merlin engine capable of producing a thrust of 180,000 pounds. The entire first stage array was designed to be recovered on a barge at sea or on land, refurbished and re-flown. The first stage burned for about 180 seconds after launch. Total thrust at liftoff is approximately 1.323 million pounds. The Falcon 9 Version 1.1 first stage burned liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel and was comprised of nine Merlin engines. Among other improvements, Falcon 9 Version 1.1 featured improved Merlin engines, stretched fuel tanks and the ability to carry either a Dragon or Crew Dragon capsule or composite payload fairing. In 2013, SpaceX introduced an improved version of the Falcon 9 designated Falcon 9 Version 1.1 which vastly improved performance over the Falcon 9 as initially introduced. FALCON 9 VERSION 1.1įalcon 9 Version 1.1 On Launch Pad, Photo Courtesy SpaceX Of particular importance to NASA is the SpaceX-designed and built Dragon and Crew Dragon space capsules, which are intended to carry supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9 as introduced was capable of carrying a 23,050-pound payload to Low-Earth Orbit, or a 10,000-pound payload to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The Falcon 9 second stage is powered by a single Merlin engine, capable of producing an initial thrust of 125,000 pounds. This combination provided a total liftoff thrust of about 1.1 million pounds. The Falcon 9 first stage is powered by nine Merlin engines, each capable of producing an initial thrust of 125,000 pounds. Number of Cape Canaveral Launches: Activeįalcon 9 is a two-stage, liquid oxygen and RP-1 (kerosene) powered rocket manufactured by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX). Falcon 9 Original Version Launch, Photo Courtesy SpaceXĭate of First Cape Canaveral Launch: June 4, 2010ĭate of Final Cape Canaveral Launch: Active