Falcon 9
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Falcon 9 variants. Note: The Falcon 9S5 was cancelled, and the Falcon 9S9 was renamed the Falcon 9 Heavy. |
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| Fact sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Function | Man-rated re-usable heavy orbital launch vehicle | |
| Manufacturer | SpaceX | |
| Country of origin | USA | |
| Cost per Launch (2006) | Normal: $35m (USD) Heavy: $78m (USD) |
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| Size | ||
| Height | 53 m (174 ft) | |
| Diameter | 3.65 m (12 ft) | |
| Mass | 290,000 kg (640,000 lb) | |
| Stages | 2 | |
| Capacity | ||
| Payload to LEO | Normal: 8,700 kg Heavy: 24,750 kg |
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| Payload to GTO |
Normal: 3,100 kg Heavy: 9,650 kg |
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| Launch History | ||
| Status | In Development | |
| Launch Sites | Omelek Island LC-36 Cape Canaveral |
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| Maiden flight | Normal: Mid-2008 (planned) Heavy: 2010 (planned) |
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| Boosters (Falcon 9 Heavy) | ||
| No boosters | 2 | |
| Engines | 9 Merlin | |
| Thrust | (765,000 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | Sea level: 255 sec (2.6 kN/kg) Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
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| Burn time | Unknown | |
| Fuel | LOX/RP-1 | |
| First Stage | ||
| Engines | 9 Merlin | |
| Thrust | 3,400 kN (765,000 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | Sea level: 255 sec (2.6 kN/kg) Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
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| Burn time | Unknown | |
| Fuel | LOX/RP-1 | |
| Second Stage | ||
| Engines | 1 Merlin | |
| Thrust | 409 kN (93,000 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) | |
| Burn time | 265 seconds | |
| Fuel | LOX/RP-1 | |
The Falcon 9 is an EELV class launch vehicle planned by SpaceX and scheduled to launch in 2008. Three variants are proposed that should provide payloads of between 8,700 kg and 24,750 kg to low Earth orbit, and between 3,100 kg and 9,650 kg to geostationary transfer orbit. It will have a fairing diameter of 5.2 m. The Falcon 9 is also the intended launch vehicle for the SpaceX Dragon manned spacecraft.
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[edit] Design
The Falcon 9's first stage will have nine Merlin rocket engines while the second stage will have one Merlin engine. Both stages are designed for reuse. As with the Falcon 1 and Falcon 5, Falcon 9's launch sequence includes a hold down feature that allows full engine ignition and systems check before liftoff. If a problem is detected the vehicle has an automatic shut-down and fuel unloading feature. SpaceX is developing several launch facilities, with the first two launches of the Falcon 1 planned for Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Marshall Islands.
Originally, the three planned variants were:
- Falcon 9 - Consisting of a single sustainer and second stage, it is predicted to cost $35 million, and will be able to boost 8,700 kg to LEO, 3,100 kg to GTO.
- Falcon 9 - S5 - Based on the Falcon 9, it will add two additional five engine, zero stage boosters, attached in parallel and replicas of the main sustainer stage. It will be able to boost 16,500 kg to LEO, 6,400 kg to GTO. It is predicted to cost $51 million.
- Falcon 9 - S9 - Based on the Falcon 9 - S5, it will add an additional two nine engine boosters and increase payload to 24,750 kg to LEO, 9,650 kg to GTO. It is predicted to cost $78 million.
In January 2007, the Falcon 9S5 was discontinued, and the Falcon 9S9 was renamed the Falcon 9 Heavy.[1]
[edit] Scheduled launches
From SpaceX.com;
- Q1 2008: Launch of US Government payload on Falcon 9 from Kwajalein
- Q2 2008: Launch of MDA Corp. payload on Falcon 9 from Kwajalein
- Q3 2008: Demo flight 1 of Falcon 9 for NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program[2]
- Q1 2009: Launch of Bigelow Aerospace prototype inflatable space station module on Falcon 9 from Kwajalein
- Q2 2009: Demo flight 2 of Falcon 9 for NASA COTS program, 2nd stage becomes a rendezvous target for the Dragon capsule
- Q3 2009: Demo flight 3 of Falcon 9 for NASA COTS program, demonstration of cargo delivery to the International Space Station
[edit] External links
- Press release announcing design (September 9, 2005)
- SpaceX hopes to supply ISS with new Falcon 9 heavy launcher (Flight International, September 13, 2005)
- SpaceX launches Falcon 9, With A Customer (Defense Industry Daily, September 15, 2005)
