Falcon 5
 Early Falcon 5 design | |
| Function | Human-rated re-usable orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 47 m (154 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.65 m (12 ft) |
| Mass | 155,000 kg (340,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | 4,100 kg |
| Payload to Geosynchronous transfer orbit |
1,050 kg |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Launch sites | SLC-3W Vandenberg AFB Omelek Island SLC-36 Cape Canaveral Kodiak Island Wallops Island |
| First stage | |
| Engines | 5 Merlin |
| Thrust | 1,890 kN (425,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | Sea level: 255 sec (2.6 kN/kg) Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
| Burn time | 200 seconds |
| Fuel | LOX/RP-1 |
| Second stage | |
| Engines | 1 Merlin |
| Thrust | 409 kN (93,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | Vacuum: 304 sec (3.0 kN/kg) |
| Burn time | 265 seconds |
| Fuel | LOX/RP-1 |
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.[1]
Overview
The first stage of Falcon 5 was to be powered by five Merlin engines 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.[2]
The Falcon 5 would have been the first American rocket since the Saturn V to have full engine out capability, meaning that with the loss of one engine, it can still meet mission requirements by burning the other four engines longer to achieve the correct orbit.[3] In comparison, the Space Shuttle only had partial engine out capability, meaning it may not be able to achieve proper orbit by burning the remaining engines longer.[3]
Launcher versions
As of 2006, SpaceX has stated that the Falcon 5 is merely a Falcon 9 missing four engines.[3] Since SpaceX was focusing on the Falcon 9 in the latter part of the decade, any development that was included in that series also applies to the Falcon 5, with the obvious omission of four engines and lifting ability.[3]
| 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 (tonnes) |
154.5 |
| Fairing diameter (Inner; m) |
3.6 or 5.2 (large fairing) |
| Payload (LEO; kg) |
4,100 |
| Payload (GTO; kg) |
1,050 |
| Price (Mil. USD) |
18 |
| minimal Price/kg (LEO; USD) |
4,390 |
| minimal Price/kg (GTO; USD) |
17,143 |
| Success ratio (successful/total) |
— |
Sources for this table are from Space Launch Report and SpaceX and footnoted here. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Payload capabilities
- LEO, 200 km (120 mi), 28 degrees: 4,100 kg (9,000 lb)[1]
- GTO, 36,000 km (22,000 mi) 9 degrees: 1,050 kg (2,310 lb)[3]
Related launch vehicle plans
Although an original Falcon 5 was never built, in December 2011 Stratolaunch Systems announced that they planned to develop a four- or five-engine Falcon 9-derivative two-stage liquid-fueled air-launched launch vehicle to be developed by SpaceX.[9] The launch vehicle was planned to be "along the lines of the company's Falcon 4 [sic] or Falcon 5,"[10] and was to have been capable of launching a 6,100 kilograms (13,500 lb) payload into low earth orbit.[11]
The air-launched rocket concept was eventually named the Falcon 9 Air, and was being designed to have only four Merlin 1D engines. However, development was halted in late 2012 when SpaceX and Stratolaunch "amicably agreed to end [their] contractual relationship because the [Stratolaunch] launch vehicle design [had] departed significantly from the Falcon derivative vehicle envisioned by SpaceX and does not fit well with [SpaceX's] long-term strategic business model."[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kyle, Ed (5 July 2010). "SpaceX Falcon Data Sheet". Space Launch Report. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
- ↑ "SpaceX announces the Falcon 9 fully reusable heavy lift launch vehicle" (Press release). SpaceX. 8 September 2005.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Wade, Mark. "Falcon 5". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ↑ "SpaceX Falcon Data Sheet". Space Launch Report. 5 July 2007.
- ↑ "Monster Progress Update (Mostly Falcon 9)". SpaceX. 17 August 2007.
- ↑ "Falcon 1 Overview". SpaceX. 28 September 2007.
- ↑ "Falcon 9 Overview". SpaceX. 28 September 2007.
- ↑ "Falcon 9 Heavy Overview". SpaceX. 28 September 2007.
- ↑ Bergin, Chris (13 December 2011). "Stratolaunch introduce Rutan designed air-launched system for Falcon rockets". NASAspaceflightnow.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
- ↑ Chow, Denise (13 December 2011). "Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Unveils Giant Plane for Private Space Launches". Space.com (New York). Archived from the original on 14 December 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
- ↑ Mecham, Michael (13 December 2011). "Stratolaunch Aims to Break Affordability Barrier". Aviation Week (New York). Retrieved 2011-12-14.
- ↑ Rosenberg, Zach (27 November 2012). "Stratolaunch and SpaceX part ways". Flight Global. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
See also
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