| File:Falcon 9 upright on pad.jpg
Falcon 9 on Launch Complex 40 during ground tests
| |
| Function | Re-usable orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch | Normal:
LEO (<80% cap.) $45.8M [1] |
| Size | |
| Height | 54 m (177 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.60 m (11.8 ft) |
| Mass | Normal: 333,400 kg (735,000 lb) Heavy: 885,000 kg (1,951,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| PayloadtoLEO | Normal: 10,450 kg (23,040 lb) Heavy:32,000 kg (71,000 lb) |
| Payload to GTO | Normal: 4,540 kg (10,010 lb) Heavy: 19,500 kg (43,000 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Cape Canaveral SLC-40 Vandenberg SLC-4E Omelek Island |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Success(es) | 1 |
| Failure(s) | 0 |
| First flight | Normal: June 4, 2010[2] Heavy: none scheduled |
| Boosters (Falcon 9 Heavy) | |
| No. boosters | 2 |
| Engines | 9Merlin 1C |
| Thrust | 5,000 kN (1,100,000 lbf)(sl) |
| Specific impulse | Sea level: 255 sec (2.6 kN/kg) Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
| Burn time | Unknown |
| Propellant | LOX/RP-1 |
| First stage | |
| Engines | 9Merlin 1C |
| Thrust | 5,000 kN (1,100,000 lbf)(sl) |
| Specific impulse | Sea level: 255 sec (2.6 kN/kg) Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
| Burn time | 170 seconds[3] |
| Propellant | LOX/RP-1 |
| Second stage | |
| Engines | 1Merlin Vacuum |
| Thrust | 445 kN (100,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | Vacuum: 342 sec (3.45 kN/kg)[4] |
| Burn time | 345 seconds |
| Propellant | LOX/RP-1 |
Falcon 9 is a spaceflight launch system that uses rocket engines designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of the two-stage-to-orbit vehicles, which use liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) propellants, are intended to be reusable.[5] Multiple variants are planned with payloads of between 10,450–26,610 kilograms (23,040–58,670 lb) to low Earth orbit, and between 4,450–15,010 kilograms (9,810–33,090 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit, placing the Falcon 9 design in the medium-lifttoheavy-lift range of launch systems.
The first Falcon 9 flight was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on June 4, 2010 14:45 EDT (18:45 UTC) with a successful orbital insertion, after several delays.[6][dead link]
The Falcon 9 will be the launch vehicle for the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The Falcon 9 and Dragon combination won a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract from NASA to resupply the International Space Station under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Bigelow Aerospace is also considering the Falcon 9 for their Orion Lite manned spacecraft.
The base Falcon 9 is a two stage, LOX/RP-1 powered launch vehicle. Its first stage is powered by nine SpaceX Merlin 1C rocket engines with 556 kN (125,000 lbf) sea-level thrust per engine for a total thrust on liftoff of approximately 5.0 MN (1.1 million lbf).[7] The Falcon 9 first stage uses a pyrophoric mixture of triethylaluminum-triethylborane (TEA-TEB) as a first-stage ignitor.[8]
The proposed Falcon 9 Heavy configuration consists of a standard Falcon 9 with two additional Falcon 9 first stages acting as liquid strap-on boosters,[9] which is conceptually similar to EELV launchers Delta IV Heavy and the future Atlas V HLV, and also to the Russian Angara carrier rocket.
The upper stage is powered by a single Merlin engine modified for vacuum operation, with an expansion ratio of 117:1 and a nominal burn time of 345 seconds. For added reliability of restart, the engine has dual redundant pyrophoric igniters (TEA-TEB).[7] SpaceX has expressed hopes that both stages will eventually be reusable.[5]
The interstage, which connects the upper and lower stage for Falcon 9, is a carbon fiber aluminum core composite structure. Stage separation occurs via reusable separation collets and a pneumatic pusher system. The Falcon 9 tank walls and domes are made from aluminum lithium alloy. SpaceX uses an all friction stir welded tank, the highest strength and most reliable welding technique available. The second stage tank of Falcon 9 is simply a shorter version of the first stage tank and uses most of the same tooling, material and manufacturing techniques. This results in significant cost savings in vehicle production.[7]
As with the company's smaller Falcon 1 vehicle, Falcon 9's launch sequence includes a hold-down feature that allows full engine ignition and systems check before liftoff. After first stage engine start, the launcher is held down and not released for flight until all propulsion and vehicle systems are confirmed to be operating normally. An automatic safe shut-down and unloading of propellant occurs if any abnormal conditions are detected.[7]
Falcon 9 will have triple redundant flight computers and inertial navigation, with a GPS overlay for additional orbit insertion accuracy.[7]
SpaceX have from the outset designed both stages of the Falcon 9 to be reusable.[10] Both are covered with a layer of ablative cork, have parachutes to land them gently in the sea and have been marinised by using salt water resistant materials, anodizing and paying attention to the issue of galvanic corrosion.[10]
Although many commentators are skeptical of the viability of reusability Musk has said:[11]
“We will never give up! Never! Reusability is one of the most important goals. If we become the biggest launch company in the world, making money hand over fist, but we’re still not reusable, I will consider us to have failed.”
There is one active launch site and two others are planned/proposed:
| Version | Falcon 9 | Falcon 9 Heavy |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 0 | — | 2 boosters with 9 × Merlins 1C each |
| Stage 1 | 9 × Merlin 1C | 9 × Merlin 1C |
| Stage 2 | 1 × Merlin 1C | 1 × Merlin 1C |
| Height (max; m) |
50 or 54 (large fairing) | 50 or 54 (large fairing) |
| Diameter (m) |
3.6 | 3.6 or 5.2 (large fairing)[9] |
| Initial thrust (kN) |
4,400 | 12,258 |
| Takeoff weight (tonnes) |
325 | 885 |
| Fairing diameter (Inner; m) |
4.6 | 4.6 |
| Payload (LEO; kg) |
8,560 (polar orbit from Kwajalein) or 10,450 (launch at Cape Canaveral) | 29,610 |
| Payload (GTO; kg) |
4,680 (launch at Kwajalein) or 4,540 (launch at Cape Canaveral) | 15,010 |
| Price (Mil. USD) |
35 to LEO; 35 to 55 (according to Satellite Mass) to GEO | 90 to LEO; 55 to 90 (according to Satellite Mass) to GEO |
| minimal Price/kg (LEO; USD) |
3,365 | 3,273 |
| minimal Price/kg (GTO; USD) |
between 10,000 and 11,000 (according to Satellite Mass) | between 7,826 and 10,000 (according to Satellite Mass) |
| Success ratio (successful/total) |
1/1 | - |
At an appearance in May 2004 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Elon Musk testified, "Long term plans call for development of a heavy lift product and even a super-heavy, if there is customer demand. [...] Ultimately, I believe $500 per pound [of payload delivered to orbit] or less is very achievable."[18]
SpaceX formally announced the Falcon 9 on 2005-09-08, describing it as being a "fully reusable heavy lift launch vehicle."[19] A Falcon 9 medium was described as being capable of launching approximately 21,000 lb (9,500 kg) to low Earth orbit, priced at $27 million per flight ($1286/lb).
On April 12, 2007 SpaceX announced it had completed the primary structure for its first Falcon 9 first-stage tank.[20] The tank was shipped to a SpaceX test facility in Texas for first-stage static firing validation. The first multi-engine test (with two engines connected to the first stage, firing simultaneously) was successfully completed in January 2008. On March 8, 2008, three Merlin 1C engines were fired simultaneously for the first time. The next test took place on May 29, 2008, and saw five engines firing together. The first nine-engine firing tests were conducted on July 31 and August 1, 2008; both were successful.[21][22][23] On November 22, 2008 the full Falcon 9 complement of nine engines was test fired for a full mission length (178 seconds) of the first stage.[24]
In February 2008, the plan was for the first Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo flight to be delayed by six months to late in the first quarter of 2009, due to the immense amount of development and regulatory work required. According to Elon Musk, the complexity of the development work and the regulatory requirements for launching from Cape Canaveral have contributed to the delay.[25]
In January 2009, Falcon 9 was first raised to the vertical position at Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral. In October 2009, the first flight-ready first stage had a successful all-engine test fire at the company's test stand in McGregor, TX. In November 2009 Space X conducted the initial second stage test firing lasting forty seconds. This test involved a new test stand, a new flight stage, and it occurred as planned, succeeding on the first attempt without aborts or recycles. On January 2, 2010, A successful full duration orbit insertion firing of the Falcon 9 second stage was conducted at the McGregor test site. SpaceX completed a full duration orbit insertion firing (329 seconds) of the integrated Falcon 9 second stage.[citation needed]
The full stack arrived at the launch site for integration at the beginning of February 2010, and SpaceX initially scheduled a launch date of March 22, 2010, though they estimated anywhere between one and three months for integration and testing.[26]
On Thursday, February 25, 2010 SpaceX's the first flight stack was set vertical at Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral,[27] and on Tuesday, March 9, SpaceX performed a static fire test, where the first stage was to be fired without taking off. Some fire and smoke were seen at the base of the rocket, leading to speculation of an engine fire. However, all components checked out, but the test executed a nominal abort at T-2 seconds due to a failure in the spin-start system. This system is designed to pump high pressure helium from the launch pad into the first stage turbopumps to get them spinning in preparation for launch. Subsequent review showed that the failure point was a valve that didn't receive a command to open. As the problem was with the pad and not with the rocket itself, it didn't occur at the McGregor test site, which didn't have the same valve setup. No damage was sustained by the vehicle or the test pad and the fire and smoke were the result of normal burnoff from the liquid oxygen and fuel mix present in the system prior to launch. All vehicle systems leading up to the abort performed as expected and no additional issues were noted that needed addressing. A subsequent test on March 13 was successful in firing the nine first stage engines for 3.5 seconds.[28]
The delay of the first flight from March 2010 to June was due to review of the Falcon 9flight termination system by the Air Force. On June 1, SpaceX announced on their update page that they had completed testing of the FTS and all results were nominal, thus they were expecting formal approval in time to launch on June 4th.[citation needed]
The first actual launch attempt, at 1:30pm EDT on Friday, June 4, 2010 (1730 UTC), was aborted shortly after ignition, and the rocket successfully went through a failsafe abort.[29] Ground crews were able to recycle the rocket, and successfully launched it at 2:45pm EDT (1845 UTC) the same day.[6]
The Falcon 9 maiden launch occurred on June 4, 2010 and was deemed a success, placing the test payload within 1 percent of the intended orbit. The second stage engine performed a short second burn to demonstrate its multiple firing capability.[30]
The rocket experienced, "a little bit of roll at liftoff" as Ken Bowersox from SpaceX put it. This roll had stopped prior to the craft reaching the top of the tower.[31] The second stage began to slowly roll near the end of its burn which was not expected, and the first stage parachutes failed to open causing it to be damaged upon landing.[30]
The halo from the venting of propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket as it rolled in space could be seen from all of Eastern Australia and some believed it to be a UFO.[32][33]
The next launch attempt for Falcon 9 will be COTS Demo Flight 1, with an operational Dragon module. That launch may happen as soon as September 2010.
| Flight No | Date & Time (GMT) | Payload | Customer | Outcome | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 June 2010, 18:45 | Dragon Spacecraft Qualification Unit | SpaceX | Success | 1st Successful Flight of Falcon 9 Block 1[30] | |
| Flight No | Projected Date | Payload | Customer | Status | Remarks | |
| September 2010[35] | NASA COTS – Demo 1 | Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, National Reconnaissance Office | 1st stage arrived at launch facility in July.[35] | maiden flight of Dragon Capsule; 5 hours,[clarification needed] reentry | ||
| 1Q 2011 | NASA COTS – Demo 2 | Commercial Orbital Transportation Services | Scheduled | 5 day, approach Space Station | ||
| 2011 | NASA COTS – Demo 3 | Commercial Orbital Transportation Services | Scheduled | Dock with Space Station | ||
| 2011 | TBD | MDA Corp | Scheduled | |||
| 2011 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 1 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2011 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 2 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2012 | DragonLab Mission 1 | SpaceX | Scheduled | maiden flight of Dragon Lab | ||
| 2012 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 3 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2012 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 4 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2012 | TBD | CONAE | Scheduled | |||
| 2012 | TBD | Spacecom | Scheduled | |||
| 2013 | DragonLab Mission 2 | SpaceX | Scheduled | |||
| 2013 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 5 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2013 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 6 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2013 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 7 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2013 | TBD | CONAE | Scheduled | |||
| 2014 | Space Systems/Loral | Space Systems | Scheduled | |||
| 2014 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 8 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2014 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 9 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2014 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 10 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2014 | TBD | Astrium | Scheduled | |||
| 2014 | TBD | Bigelow Aerospace | Scheduled | |||
| 2015 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 11 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2015 | NASA Resupply to ISS – Flight 12 | NASA Commercial Resupply Services | Scheduled | |||
| 2015–2017 | Iridium NEXT | Iridium Communications Inc.[36] | Scheduled | up to 10 launches with multiple satellites per launch. | ||
| This table:
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There are twelve total Falcon 9 resupply missions contracted to the ISS between 2010 and 2015.[37]
On March 15, 2010, SpaceX announced that they had signed an agreement to launch a Space Systems/Loral-built satellite on a Falcon 9, “as early as 2012.”[41]
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