Falcon 9 Block 5
Falcon 9 Block 5 is a partially reusable two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured in the United States by SpaceX. It is the fifth version of Falcon 9 Full Thrust, powered by SpaceX Merlin engines burning rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX).
The Block 5 variant of the Falcon 9 launching Crew Dragon during the Demo-2 mission from Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020. The rocket's distinguishing black thermal-protection coating on the interstage is discernible. | |
| Function | Partially reusable orbital medium-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 70 m (230 ft) with payload fairing |
| Diameter | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Mass | 549 t (1,210,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO (28.5°) | |
| Mass |
17.60 t (38,800 lb) [Reuse] |
| Payload to GTO (27°) | |
| Mass |
|
| Payload to Mars | |
| Mass | 4 t (8,800 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Falcon 9 |
| Comparable | |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 |
| Total launches | 243 |
| Success(es) | 243 |
| Failure(s) | 0 |
| Partial failure(s) | 0 |
| Landings | 248 (including use as side booster) |
| First flight | Bangabandhu-1, 11 May 2018 |
| Last flight | Active |
| Type of passengers/cargo | |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 9 Merlin 1D+ |
| Maximum thrust | 7.6 MN (770 tf; 1,700,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
| Second (large nozzle) stage | |
| Powered by | 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum |
| Maximum thrust | 934 kN (95.2 tf; 210,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
| Second (short nozzle) stage | |
| Powered by | 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum |
| Maximum thrust | ~840.6 kN (85.72 tf; 189,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
The main changes from Block 3 to Block 5 are higher-thrust engines and improvements to the landing legs. Numerous other small changes helped streamline recovery and re-usability of first-stage boosters, increase production rate, and optimize re-usability. Each Block 5 booster is designed to fly 10 times with only minor attention and up to 100 times with refurbishment.
In 2018, Falcon 9 Block 5 succeeded the transitional Block 4 version. The maiden flight launched the satellite Bangabandhu-1 on May 11, 2018. The CRS-15 mission on June 29, 2018 was the last Block 4 version of Falcon 9 to be launched. This was the transition to an all-Block 5 fleet.