Falcon 5
Encyclopedia
The Falcon 5 was a proposed two-stage-to-orbit
partially reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX
, since canceled
and replaced by the larger, more powerful Falcon 9
.
and the upper stage by one Merlin engine, both burning RP-1
with a liquid oxygen
oxidizer. Along with the Falcon 9
, it would have been the world's only launch vehicle with all stages designed for reuse.
The Falcon 5 would have been the first American rocket since the Saturn V
to have full engine out capability (the Space Shuttle
has partial engine out capability). The Falcon 5 also would have been the first American orbital launch vehicle
designed to be man-rated (i.e., certified for human transportation) since the Shuttle.
Two-stage-to-orbit
A two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle is a spacecraft in which two distinct stages provide propulsion consecutively in order to achieve orbital velocity...
partially reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or more popularly and informally known as SpaceX, is an American space transport company that operates out of Hawthorne, California...
, since canceled
and replaced by the larger, more powerful Falcon 9
Falcon 9
Falcon 9 is a rocket-powered spaceflight launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of its two-stage-to-orbit vehicle use liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene propellants...
.
Overview
The first stage of Falcon 5 was to be powered by five Merlin enginesMerlin (rocket engine)
Merlin is a rocket engine developed by SpaceX for use on its Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 rockets. Merlin uses RP-1 and liquid oxygen as propellants in a gas-generator power cycle...
and the upper stage by one Merlin engine, both burning RP-1
RP-1
RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene outwardly similar to jet fuel, used as a rocket fuel. Although having a lower specific impulse than liquid hydrogen , RP-1 is cheaper, can be stored at room temperature, is far less of an explosive hazard and is far denser...
with a liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
oxidizer. Along with the Falcon 9
Falcon 9
Falcon 9 is a rocket-powered spaceflight launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of its two-stage-to-orbit vehicle use liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene propellants...
, it would have been the world's only launch vehicle with all stages designed for reuse.
The Falcon 5 would have been the first American rocket since the Saturn V
Saturn V
The Saturn V was an American human-rated expendable rocket used by NASA's Apollo and Skylab programs from 1967 until 1973. A multistage liquid-fueled launch vehicle, NASA launched 13 Saturn Vs from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida with no loss of crew or payload...
to have full engine out capability (the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
has partial engine out capability). The Falcon 5 also would have been the first American orbital launch vehicle
Launch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
designed to be man-rated (i.e., certified for human transportation) since the Shuttle.
Launcher versions
| Version | Falcon 5 (cancelled) |
|---|---|
| Stage 0 | — |
| Stage 1 | 5 × Merlin 1C |
| Stage 2 | 1 × Merlin 1C |
| Height (max; m) |
47 |
| Diameter (m) |
3.6 |
| Initial thrust (kN) |
1,890 |
| Takeoff weight (tonne Tonne The tonne, known as the metric ton in the US , often put pleonastically as "metric tonne" to avoid confusion with ton, is a metric system unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. The tonne is not an International System of Units unit, but is accepted for use with the SI... s) |
154.5 |
| Fairing diameter (Inner; m) |
3.6 or 5.2 (large fairing) |
| Payload (LEO Low Earth orbit A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km... ; kg) |
4,100 |
| Payload (GTO Geostationary transfer orbit A geosynchronous transfer orbit or geostationary transfer orbit is a Hohmann transfer orbit used to reach geosynchronous or geostationary orbit.... ; kg) |
1,050 |
| Price (Mil. USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
18 |
| minimal Price/kg (LEO Low Earth orbit A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km... ; USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
4,390 |
| minimal Price/kg (GTO Geostationary transfer orbit A geosynchronous transfer orbit or geostationary transfer orbit is a Hohmann transfer orbit used to reach geosynchronous or geostationary orbit.... ; USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
17,143 |
| Success ratio (successful/total) |
— |
Payload capabilities
- 200 km, 28 degrees: 4,100 kg
- GTO, 9 degrees: 1,050 kg