Difference between revisions of "Falcon 1"
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SpaceX had announced an enhanced variant, the [[Falcon 1e]], but development was stopped in favour of Falcon 9. | SpaceX had announced an enhanced variant, the [[Falcon 1e]], but development was stopped in favour of Falcon 9. | ||
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[[Category: Historic spacecraft]] | [[Category: Historic spacecraft]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:28, 14 October 2022
The Falcon 1 was an expendable launch system privately developed and manufactured by SpaceX during 2006–2009. On 28 September 2008, Falcon 1 became the first privately-developed liquid-fuel launch vehicle to go into orbit around the Earth.
The two-stage-to-orbit rocket used LOX/RP-1 for both stages, the first powered by a single Merlin engine and the second powered by a single Kestrel engine. It was designed by SpaceX from the ground up.
The vehicle was launched a total of five times. Falcon 1 achieved orbit on its fourth attempt, in September 2008 with a mass simulator as a payload. On 14 July 2009, Falcon 1 made its final flight and successfully delivered the Malaysian RazakSAT satellite to orbit on SpaceX's first commercial launch (fifth launch overall). Following its fifth launch, the Falcon 1 was retired and succeeded by Falcon 9.
SpaceX had announced an enhanced variant, the Falcon 1e, but development was stopped in favour of Falcon 9.