The Falcon 9 is a partially reusable, two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured by SpaceX. The first Falcon 9 launch was on June 4, 2010, marking SpaceX's entry into orbital launch systems.
Development History
The rocket has evolved through several major versions:
- Falcon 9 v1.0 (2010-2013): The original version, launched 5 times
- Falcon 9 v1.1 (2013-2016): Upgraded engines and stretched upper stage, 15 launches
- Falcon 9 Full Thrust (2015-2018): Further upgrades with densified propellants, 36 launches
- Falcon 9 Block 5 (2018-present): The current version with improved reusability
Reusability Milestone
SpaceX first achieved a successful landing and recovery of a first stage in December 2015, revolutionizing the economics of spaceflight. As of 2025, Falcon 9 boosters have been successfully landed over 520 times, with individual boosters flying as many as 31 missions.
Major Achievements
- First commercial resupply mission to ISS (October 2012)
- First commercial rocket to launch humans to orbit (May 2020)
- Most launched orbital rocket in history
- First orbital class rocket to achieve propulsive landing and reuse
The Falcon 9 has become the workhorse of the commercial space industry, launching satellites, cargo, and crew to orbit with unprecedented reliability and cost-effectiveness.