Falcon-IX
 
 

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation

Cape Canaveral, June 04, 2010 -- The first SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 40. The rocket carried a Dragon spacecraft simulator toward a planned 250 km x 34.4 deg low earth orbit.
Two of the first stage engines shut down as planned about 165 seconds into the flight. The remaining first stage engines cut off at about 180 seconds.
Staging and second stage engine start appeared nominal, but a roll developed during the five minute long burn of the second stage Merlin Vacuum engine. The roll began about 5.5 minutes after liftoff. Merlin shut down about 8 minutes 37 seconds after liftoff.
SpaceX claimed that the stage and payload had reached orbital parameters very close to the planned orbit.

Cape Canaveral, December  08, 2010 -- The second SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage rocket launched successful from Space Launch Complex 40.  The rocket carried the first active Dragon spacecraft for testing. From a mission control center in southern California, SpaceX teams tested guidance, propulsion and communications systems. The capsule completed nearly two trips around the earth. Then, four thrusters began a six-minute firing to begin the Dragon's drop from space. SpaceX confirmed that parachutes had deployed and a successful splashdown, which was targeted for 500 miles west of the U.S-Mexican border.
The launch is the first of three demonstration flights that will be conducted over the next year under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement between SpaceX and NASA. By late 2011, the company hopes to achieve the first docking of a commercial spacecraft with the ISS.

 

 

Falcon-IX
Falcon -IX is a two stage, liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) powered launch vehicle. It uses the same engines, structural architecture (with a wider diameter), avionics and launch system.
First Stage. The Falcon -IX tank walls and domes are made from aluminum 2219, the same alloy used by the Saturn V. However, SpaceX make use of an all friction stir welded tank, the highest strength and most reliable welding technique available. Like Falcon -I, the interstage, which connects the upper and lower stage for Falcon IX, is a carbon fiber honeycomb structure. The separation system is a larger version of what was used on Falcon -I – pneumatic pushers with pyrotechnic release bolts. Nine SpaceX Merlin-1C engines power the Falcon -IX first stage with 125 lbs-f sea level thrust per engine for a total vacuum thrust of 1.245,600 pounds. After engine start, Falcon is held down until all vehicle systems are verified to be functioning normally before release for liftoff. Although in-flight failures are very rarely explosive, a Kevlar shield protects each engine from debris in the event of its neighbour failing.
Second Stage. The second stage tank of Falcon-IX is simply a shorter version of the first stage tank and uses most of the same tooling, material and manufacturing techniques. This results in significant cost savings in vehicle production.
A single Merlin-1V engine with longer nozzle powers the Falcon -IX upper stage with an expansion ratio of 177 and burn time of 354 seconds. For added reliability of restart, the engine has dual redundant hypergolic igniters (TEA-TEB) with four injection ports.
 

The initial flights of the Falcon-IX, currently planned in 2010, use the Falcon-IX Block 1. Beginning in 2011, SpaceX will begin launching the Falcon-IX Block 2. Block 2 features increased engine thrust, decreased launch vehicle dry mass, and increased propellant load-combined with lessons from the flights of the Falcon-IX Block 1.

 

Falcon-IX Block 2
Length 54.86 m (180 ft)
Width 3.66 m (12 ft)
Thrust lift-off (s.l.) 5.004 kN (1.125,000 lb)
Thrust lift-off (vac) 5.541 kN (1.245,650 lb)
Engines Merlin-1C+ (9) / Merlin-1V (long nozzle)

 

The Falcon-IX is offered both with a 3.6 m fairing or a 5.2 m fairing. Planned launch site is Cape Canaveral launch pad (SLC-40) for low inclination launches.
The Falcon-IX will also lift the Dragon space capsule for ISS cargo flights, which might be developed into a manned spacecraft.

 

The Falcon-IX Heavy will be SpaceX’s entry into the heavy lift launch vehicle category. Capable of lifting over 28,000 kg to LEO, and over 12,000 kg to GTO, the Falcon-IX Heavy will compete with the largest commercial launchers now available. It consists of a standard Falcon-IX with two additional Falcon-IX first stages acting as liquid strap-on boosters. With the Falcon-IX first stage already designed to support the additional loads of this configuration and with common tanking and engines across both vehicles, development and operation of the Falcon-IX Heavy will be highly cost-effective. Initial architectural work has already begun.