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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.

Contents

Design

Production

Scheduled launches

See also

Notes

External links

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;

★ Q4 2008: Demonstration flight of Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral

★ Q4 2008: Demo flight 1 of Falcon 9 for NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program

★ Q4 2008: Launch of MDA Corp. payload on Falcon 9^[4]

★ 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

★ Q1 2010: Launch of Bigelow Aerospace prototype inflatable space station module on Falcon 9

See also

★ Falcon 1

Notes

1. SpaceX.com Falcon 9 overview
2. SpaceX Completes Primary Structure of the Falcon 9 First Stage Tank
3. Testing to Begin for SpaceX Falcon 9 First Stage Tank
4. [1]

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)