FALCON USER’S GUIDE 2 VEHICLES Descriptions and performance information in this user’s guide are for the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy fairing configuration; please contact SpaceX for information about Dragon launch capabilities. Table 2-1 provides additional details on Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy dimensions and design characteristics. FALCON VEHICLE OVERVIEW Falcon 9 (Figure 2-1) is a two-stage launch vehicle powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1). The vehicle is designed, built and operated by SpaceX. Falcon 9 can be flown with a fairing or with a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. All first- and second-stage vehicle systems are the same in the two configurations; only the payload interface to the second stage changes between the fairing and Dragon configurations. Falcon 9 was updated in the summer of 2015 to a Full Thrust configuration from its previous v1.1 configuration (flown from 2013 – summer 2015). Falcon 9 underwent further updates and first flew its Full Thrust Block 5 configuration in spring 2018. The Falcon 9 Block 5 architecture focused on improving performance, reliability, and life of the vehicle, as well as ensuring the vehicle’s ability to meet critical government crewed and non-crewed missions. Engine performance on both stages was improved, releasing additional thrust capability. Thermal protection shielding was modified to support rapid recovery and refurbishment. Avionics designs, thrust structures, and other components were upgraded for commonality, reliability, and performance. FALCON HEAVY VEHICLE OVERVIEW Falcon Heavy (Figure 2-2) is a two-stage, heavy-lift launch vehicle powered by LOX and RP-1. It can transport more payload mass into LEO or GTO than any other launch vehicle currently in operation. Falcon Heavy is the most powerful launch vehicle in operation with more than 5.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. Falcon Heavy builds on the proven, highly reliable design of Falcon 9. Falcon Heavy’s first-stage is comprised of three Falcon 9 first stages with enhancements provided to strengthen the cores. Furthermore, Falcon Heavy utilizes the same second stage and same payload fairing as flown on Falcon 9, fully benefitting from the flight heritage provided by Falcon 9 flights. This commonality has also minimized infrastructure unique to the vehicle. Figure 2-1: Falcon 9 overview SpaceX first launched the Falcon Heavy vehicle in February of 2018. © Space Exploration Technologies Corp. All rights reserved. 5