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Falcon 9 Block 5
Fifth version of the SpaceX medium-lift launch vehicle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Falcon 9 Block 5 is a partially reusable, human-rated, two-stage-to-orbit, medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured in the United States by SpaceX. It is the fifth major version of the Falcon 9 family and the third version of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust.[10][11] It is powered by Merlin 1D engines burning rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX).
![]() The Block 5 variant of the Falcon 9 launching Crew Dragon during the Demo-2 mission from Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020. The rocket's distinguishing black thermal-protection coating on the interstage is discernible. | |
Function | Medium-lift launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Country of origin | United States |
Size | |
Height | 69.8 m (229 ft) with payload fairing[1] |
Diameter | 3.7 m (12 ft)[2] |
Mass | 549,000 kg (1,210,000 lb)[2] |
Stages | 2 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO (28.5°) | |
Mass | |
Payload to GTO (27°) | |
Mass | |
Payload to TMI | |
Mass | 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)[3] |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Falcon 9 |
Based on | Falcon 9 Full Thrust |
Comparable | |
Launch history | |
Status | Active |
Launch sites |
|
Total launches | 298 |
Success(es) | 297 |
Failure(s) | 1[lower-alpha 1] |
Landings | 304 (including use as side booster) |
First flight | 11 May 2018 (Bangabandhu-1) |
Type of passengers/cargo | |
First stage | |
Powered by | 9 × Merlin 1D+ |
Maximum thrust | 7.6 MN (1,700,000 lbf)[5][6] |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1[7] |
Second stage (large nozzle[lower-alpha 2]) | |
Powered by | 1 × Merlin 1D Vacuum |
Maximum thrust | 934 kN (210,000 lbf)[2] |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
Second stage (short nozzle[lower-alpha 2][9]) | |
Powered by | 1 × Merlin 1D Vacuum |
Maximum thrust | 840.6 kN (189,000 lbf)[2] |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
The main changes from Block 3 (the original Falcon 9 Full Thust) to Block 5 are higher-thrust engines and improvements to the landing legs along with numerous other small changes to streamline recovery and re-use of first-stage boosters and increase production rate. Each Block 5 booster is designed to fly 10 times with only minor maintenance and up to 100 times with major refurbishment.[12]
In 2018, Block 5 succeeded the transitional Block 4 version. The maiden flight of the Block 5 launched the satellite Bangabandhu-1 on May 11, 2018. The CRS-15 mission on June 29, 2018 was the last Block 4 version to be launched, completing the transition to an all-Block 5 fleet.[13][14]