Falcon 9

Description: SpaceX’s workhorse launch vehicle, reusable and versatile for a wide range of missions, from low Earth orbit to deep-space exploration.

First Launch: June 2010

Versions:

• Falcon 9 v1.0 (2010–2013)
• Falcon 9 v1.1 (2013–2016): Larger and more powerful.
• Falcon 9 Full Thrust (2015–present): Increased thrust and fuel capacity.
• Block 5 (2018–present): Current version optimized for reusability and reliability.

Features:

• First stage powered by 9 Merlin engines; second stage powered by a vacuum-optimized Merlin engine.
• First stage is fully reusable, with numerous successful reuses.