Falcon 5
The Falcon V is a Falcon family two stage to orbit RP-1 kerosene/liquid oxygen mostly reusable launch vehicle designed and manufactured by SpaceX. The lower stage includes five Merlin engines and the upper stage includes two Kestrel engines. The Falcon V is designed for maximum reliability and safety, being the first American rocket since the Saturn V to have "engine out" capability on both stages, with failure of up to three Merlin engines resulting in a successful flight, depending on when during flight the engine failure takes place, and failure of one Kestrel engine resulting in a successful flight, depending on sufficient payload mass margin. The Falcon V is also the first American orbital launch vehicle designed to be man-rated (i.e., certified for human transportation) since the Space Shuttle.
The Falcon V is launched from Pad 3W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, US Marshall Islands, Kodiak Island, and Wallops Island. The maiden flight of the Falcon V is planned for November, 2005, from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying a Bigelow Aerospace Genesis Pathfinder expandable space station module prototype. Pricing starts at US$12 million plus range fees per launch.
Payload Capabilities
- 200 km, 28 degrees: 4,200 kg
- 400 km, 51 degrees (International Space Station): 3,570 kg
- 700 km, sun synchronous: 3,000 kg
- GTO, 9 degrees: 1,250 kg
- Escape Velocity (no kick stage): 840 kg
Please note that these capabilities are subject to change, based upon further testing.
Vehicle Details
- Length: 95 feet (29 meters)
- Diameter: 11 feet (3.4 meters)
- Weight/Mass: 286,000 pounds (129,700 kg)
- Thrust on Liftoff: 357,500 pounds (1,590 kN)
- Engines: 5 lower stage Merlin engines; 2 upper stage Kestrel engines
- Fuel: RP-1 rocket grade kerosene
- Oxidizer: Liquid oxygen