Falcon 1

Infobox rocket


imsize = 220
caption = Falcon 1 rocket.
name = Falcon 1
function = Orbital launch vehicle
manufacturer = SpaceX
country-origin = United States
height = 21.3 m
alt-height = 70 ft
diameter = 1.7 m
alt-diameter = 5.5 ft
mass = 38,555 kg
alt-mass = 85,000 lb
stages = 2
LEO-payload =670 kg
alt-LEO = 1480 lb
payload-location = SSO
payload = 430 kg
alt-payload = 990 lb
status = Active
sites = Omelek Island
Vandenberg AFB
launches = 4
fail = 3
partial = 0
success = 1
first=March 24, 2006
22:30 GMT
stage1engines = 1 Merlin 1C
stage1thrust = 454 kN
alt-stage1thrust = 102,000 lb_f
stage1SI = 255 s (sea level)
(2.6 kN·s/kg)
stage1time = 169 seconds
stage1fuel = RP-1/LOX
stage2engines = 1 Kestrel
stage2thrust = 31 kN
alt-stage2thrust = 7,000 lb_f
stage2SI = 327 s (vacuum)
(3.2 kN·s/kg))
stage2time = 378 seconds
stage2fuel = RP-1/LOXThe Falcon 1 is a partially reusable launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. The two-stage-to-orbit rocket uses Lox/RP-1 for both stages, the first powered by a single Merlin engine and the second powered by a single Kestrel engine.

The Falcon 1 achieved orbit on its fourth attempt. It was designed by SpaceX from the ground up and is the first successful liquid-propelled launch vehicle developed with private funding.

Design

According to SpaceX, the Falcon 1 is designed to minimize price per launch for low-Earth-orbit satellites, increase reliability, and optimize flight environment and time to launch.cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon1.php |publisher=SpaceX |title=Falcon 1 Overview |accessdate=2007-05-05] It is also intended to verify components and structural design concepts that will be reused in the Falcon 9.

At launch, the first stage engine (Merlin) is ignited and throttled to full power while the launcher is restrained and all systems are verified by the flight computer. If the systems are operating correctly, the rocket is released and clears the tower in about seven seconds. The first-stage burn lasts about 2:49 minutes. Stage separation is accomplished with explosive bolts and a pneumatically actuated pusher system. The first stage returns by parachute to a water landing and is recovered for reuse, while the second stage is not reusable. The second stage Kestrel engine burns for about six minutes, inserting the payload into a low Earth orbit. It is capable of multiple restarts.

First stage

The first stage is made from friction-stir-welded aluminum alloy. It employs a common bulkhead between the LOX and RP-1 tanks, as well as flight pressure stabilization. It can be transported safely without pressurization (like the heavier Delta II isogrid design) but gains additional strength when pressurized for flight (like the Atlas II, which cannot be transported unpressurized). The resulting design has the highest propellant mass fraction of any current first stage. The parachute system, built by Irvin Para­chute Corp­oration, uses a high-speed drogue chute and a main chute.

Second stage

The second stage tanks are built with a cryogenic-compatible aluminum–lithium alloy. The helium pressurization system pumps propellant to the engine, supplies pressurized gas for the attitude control thrusters, and is used for zero-"g" propellant accumulation prior to engine restart. The Kestrel engine includes a titanium heat exchanger to pass waste heat to the helium, thereby greatly extending its work capacity. [cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/SpaceX_F1-003_PressKit.pdf |publisher=SpaceX |title=Falcon 1 Flight Three Press Kit |accessdate=2008-09-30] The pressure tanks are made by Arde corporation and are the same as those used in the Delta IV. They consist of an inconel shell wrapped by a composite.

Private funding

The Falcon 1 rocket was developed with private funding. The only other orbital launch vehicle to be privately funded and developed is the Pegasus, first launched in 1990; however, it requires a large aircraft as its first stage. [cite news |url=http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/release.asp?prid=603 |title=Orbital Marks 25th Anniversary Of Company's Founding |date=2007-04-02 |publisher=Orbital Sciences] The Falcon 1 is also the first partially reusable orbital rocket to be developed without public funding. [cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/educate/college/careers/Entreps/6-17-05.htm |title=Private sector enticing public into final frontier |date=2005-06-17 |publisher=USAtoday.com] While the development of Falcon 1 was privately funded, the first two Falcon 1 launches were purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense under a program that evaluates new US launch vehicles suitable for use by DARPA. [cite news |url=http://www.satnews.com/stories2007/4156/ |publisher=Satnews.com |title=Falcon 1 Reaches Space But Loses Control and is Destroyed on Re-Entry |date=2007-03-21]

Pricing

SpaceX is one of the few launch system operators that communicate launch prices to the public. Falcon 1 was advertised as costing $5.9 million as early as 2005. [cite news |url=http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive05/Launch_052305.html |title=DoD Small-Rocket Contract Produces Fierce Competition |date=2005-05-23 |publisher=Space News] In 2006 until 2007 the quoted price of the rocket when operational was $6.7 million. [cite news |url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/060324_spacex_failure.html |title=SpaceX's Inaugural Falcon 1 Rocket Lost Just After Launch |date=2006-03-24 |publisher=Space.com] Most recently SpaceX has announced new prices for the Falcon 1 and the Falcon 1e as $7 million and $8.5 million, respectively. SpaceX notes that small discounts may be available for multi-launch contracts.

Launch sites

The first four launches were conducted at Kwajalein Atoll using the SpaceX launch facility on Omelek Island and range facilities of the Reagan Test Site. All upcoming Falcon 1 flights shown on the SpaceX manifest are also planned for Kwajalein. Other launch sites which have been discussed for Falcon 1 flights include:
* Vandenberg Air Force Base, Pad 3W. According to Elon Musk, SpaceX may be be evicted from Vandenberg because of safety concerns expressed by United Launch Alliance, which launches the Atlas V rocket from neighboring site SLC-3W. [cite web |url=http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive05/Falcon_010906.html |title=SpaceX To Try Again Feb. 9
publisher=Space News]
* Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 40. [cite web |last=Kelly |first=John |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/2007/04/spacex-cleared-for-cape-launches.html |title=SpaceX cleared for Cape launches |publisher=Florida Today |date=2007-04-25]

Launcher versions

Notes

Further reading

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External links

* [http://www.spacex.com/falcon1.php SpaceX Falcon 1 Overview]
* [http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon/f1/status.html Spaceflight Now Mission Status Center for Flight 1]