Falcon 9
| File:SpaceX-Falcon9-variants.png Falcon 9 variants. Note: The Falcon 9S5 was canceled, and the Falcon 9S9 was renamed the Falcon 9 Heavy. | |
| Function | Man-rated re-usable heavy orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Cost per launch | Normal: $35m (USD) Heavy: $78m (USD) |
| Cost per year | 2006 |
| Size | |
| Height | 54 m (178 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.60 m (12 ft) |
| Mass | 325,000 kg (716,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | Normal: 9,900 kg Heavy: 27,500 kg |
| Payload to GTO | Normal: 4,900 kg Heavy: 12,000 kg |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In Development |
| Launch sites | Omelek Island LC-40 Cape Canaveral |
| First flight | Normal: Mid-2008 (planned) Heavy: 2010 (planned) |
| Boosters (Falcon 9 Heavy) | |
| No. boosters | 2 |
| Engines | 9 Merlin |
| Thrust | 4,086 kN (918,000 lbf) |
| 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 | 9 Merlin |
| Thrust | 4,086 kN (918,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | Sea level: 255 sec (2.6 kN/kg) Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
| Burn time | Unknown |
| Propellant | LOX/RP-1 |
| Second stage | |
| Engines | 1 Merlin (vacuum modified) |
| Thrust | 513 kN (115,400 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | Vacuum: 304 sec (3.07 kN/kg) |
| Burn time | 345 seconds |
| Propellant | 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 9,900 kg and 27,500 kg to low Earth orbit, and between 4,900 kg and 12,000 kg to geostationary transfer orbit. It will have a fairing diameter of 5.2 m or 3.6m. The Falcon 9 is also the intended launch vehicle for the SpaceX Dragon manned spacecraft.
Design
The Falcon 9's first stage will have nine Merlin rocket engines while the second stage will have a single Merlin engine modified for vacuum operation[1]. Both stages are designed for reuse. As with the Falcon 1, 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.
The two planned variants are:
- Falcon 9 - Consisting of a single sustainer and second stage, it is predicted to cost $35 million, and will be able to boost 9,900 kg to LEO, 4,900 kg to GTO.
- Falcon 9 Heavy - Based on the Falcon 9, it will add an additional two nine-engine boosters and increase payload to 27,500 kg to LEO, 12,000 kg to GTO. It is predicted to cost $78 million.
Production
On April 12, 2007 SpaceX announced it had completed the primary structure for its first Falcon 9 the first-stage tank.[2] press release The tank walls and domes are made from friction stir welded aluminum 2198.[3] The tank will be shipped to a SpaceX test facility in Texas, where a first-stage static firing is planned for late 2007.
Scheduled launches
From SpaceX.com;
- Q2 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[1]
- 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
- Q3 2010: Launch of Bigelow Aerospace prototype inflatable space station module on Falcon 9 from Kwajalein
See also
Notes
- ^ SpaceX.com Falcon 9 overview
- ^ "SpaceX Completes Primary Structure of the Falcon 9 First Stage Tank". PR Newswire. April 12, 2007.
- ^ "Testing to Begin for SpaceX Falcon 9 First Stage Tank". satNews.com. April 16, 2007.
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)