Launch of Falcon 9

Falcon 9 is a spaceflight launch system that uses rockets designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of the two-stage-to-orbit vehicles, which use liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) propellants, are intended to be reusable. Multiple variants are planned with payloads of between 10,450–26,610 kilograms (23,000–58,700 lb) to low Earth orbit, and between 4,450–15,010 kilograms (9,800–33,100 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit, placing the Falcon 9 design in the medium-lift to heavy-lift range of launch systems.

The first Falcon 9 flight was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on June 4, 2010 14:45 EDT (18:45 UTC) with a successful orbital insertion, after several delays.

The Falcon 9 will be the launch vehicle for the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The Falcon 9 and Dragon combination won a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract from NASA to resupply the International Space Station under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Bigelow Aerospace is also considering the Falcon 9 for their Orion Lite manned spacecraft.



Credits: Wikipedia