What is Falcon 9?
Q: What is Falcon 9?
A: Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX in the United States. It uses cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) as fuel, and its name comes from the fictional Star Wars spacecraft, the Millennium Falcon. The number nine refers to the nine engines of the rocket's first stage.
Q: How many versions of Falcon 9 are there?
A: There have been many versions of the rocket, including v1.0 (2010–2013), v1.1 (2013–2016), v1.2 Full Thrust (2015–present), Block 5 version, and Block 5 Full Thrust version which has been used since May 2018.
Q: Is it possible to reuse parts of Falcon 9?
A: Yes, parts of the rocket can be used more than one time - for example, the latest version of the first stage can return to Earth and be flown again many times.
Q: How much cargo can Falcon 9 carry?
A: It can carry up to 22,800 kilograms (50,300 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO). If fully used it can carry 8,300 kg (18,300 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). When recovered after launch it can carry 5500 kg (12100 lb) to GTO with a cargo size of 145 cubic meters of volume.
Q: What contract did SpaceX win in 2008?
A: In 2008 SpaceX won a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program that would take cargo to the International Space Station using their Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule.
Q: What record did Falcon 9 set on 24 January 2021?
A: On 24 January 2021Falcon 9 set a new record for launching 143 satellites into orbit at once - this was more than any other U.S rocket currently being used at that time.
