Falcon I
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|
| Falcon I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length | 70 ft (21.3 m) | |
| Diameter | 5.5 ft (1.7 m) | |
| Mass | 60,000 pounds (27,200 kg) | |
| Stages | 2 | |
| 1 - 1st Stage | Engines | 1 * Merlin engine |
| Thrust | 318 kN (71,500 lbf) | |
| ISP | 261 s (sea level) | |
| Burn time | 169 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
| 2 - 2nd Stage | Engines | 1 * Kestrel engine |
| Thrust | 33 kN (7,500 lbf) | |
| ISP | 325 lbf·s/lb (3.19 kN·s/kg) (vacuum) | |
| Burn time | 552 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
The Falcon I is a Falcon family two stage to orbit RP-1 kerosene/liquid oxygen semi-reusable launch vehicle designed and manufactured by SpaceX. The lower stage includes one Merlin engine and the upper stage includes one Kestrel engine. The Falcon I is designed to minimize price per launch and to prove the components to be used in the larger Falcon V rocket. The first stage returns by parachute to a water landing and is recovered for reuse. The second stage is not reusable.
The Falcon I will be launched from Pad 3W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Marshall Islands (Kwajalein Atoll), Kodiak Island, and Wallops Island. The maiden flight of the Falcon I is planned for late summer, 2005[1] (http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm), from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying a Naval Research Laboratory Tacsat and a Space Services Incorporated space burial payload. The maiden flight of Falcon I is scheduled to follow the launch of the last Titan IV from Pad 4E, for safety reasons. The second Falcon I launch will be from the Kwajalein Atoll and will loft a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency payload, also in late summer.
Launch prices are expected to be US$5.9 million plus range fees.
Payload Capabilities
- 200 km, 28 degrees: 670 kg (1480 lb)
- 400 km, 51 degrees (International Space Station): 580 kg (1280 lb)
- 700 km, sun synchronous: 430 kg (950 lb)
Please note that these capabilities are subject to change, based upon further testing.
Sources and External Links
- SpaceX Falcon I details page (http://www.spacex.com/index.html?section=falcon&content=http%3A//www.spacex.com/falcon_i.php)
- Space Services Inc. space burial page (http://www.memorialspaceflight.com/explorers.asp)de:Falcon (Rakete)