Falcon 9 Block 5
Version of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Falcon 9 Block 5 is a partially reusable two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured in the United States by SpaceX. It is the fifth version of Falcon 9 Full Thrust,[10][11] powered by SpaceX Merlin engines burning rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX).
Function | Partially reusable orbital medium-lift launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Country of origin | United States |
Size | |
Height | 70 m (230 ft) with payload fairing[1] |
Diameter | 3.66 m (12.0 ft)[2] |
Mass | 549 t (1,210,000 lb)[2] |
Stages | 2 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO (28.5°) | |
Mass | |
Payload to GTO (27°) | |
Mass | |
Payload to Mars | |
Mass | 4 t (8,800 lb)[3] |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Falcon 9 |
Comparable | |
Launch history | |
Status | Active |
Launch sites | Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 (Planned) |
Total launches | 270 |
Success(es) | 270 |
Failure(s) | 0 |
Partial failure(s) | 0 |
Landings | 275 (including use as side booster) |
First flight | Bangabandhu-1, 11 May 2018 |
Last flight | Active |
Type of passengers/cargo | |
First stage | |
Powered by | 9 Merlin 1D+ |
Maximum thrust | 7.6 MN (770 tf; 1,700,000 lbf)[5][6] |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1[7] |
Second (large nozzle)[lower-alpha 1] stage | |
Powered by | 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum |
Maximum thrust | 934 kN (95.2 tf; 210,000 lbf)[2] |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
Second (short nozzle)[lower-alpha 1][9] stage | |
Powered by | 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum |
Maximum thrust | ~840.6 kN (85.72 tf; 189,000 lbf)[2] |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
The main changes from Block 3 to Block 5 are higher-thrust engines and improvements to the landing legs. Numerous other small changes helped streamline recovery and re-usability of first-stage boosters, increase production rate, and optimize re-usability. Each Block 5 booster is designed to fly 10 times with only minor attention and up to 100 times with refurbishment.[12]
In 2018, Falcon 9 Block 5 succeeded the transitional Block 4 version. The maiden flight launched the satellite Bangabandhu-1 on May 11, 2018. The CRS-15 mission on June 29, 2018 was the last Block 4 version of Falcon 9 to be launched. This was the transition to an all-Block 5 fleet.[13][14]