Falcon 1e
Encyclopedia
The Falcon 1e is an American
small partially reusable launch system
which is being developed by SpaceX
. It will replace the Falcon 1
, which was retired in 2009 following five launches, two of which were successful. The Falcon 1e consists of a new first stage, the same second stage used on the Falcon 1, and a new, larger payload fairing. It is expected to make its maiden flight in mid 2011.
The Falcon 1e is 6.1 metres (20 ft) longer than the Falcon 1, with an overall length of 27.4 metres (89.9 ft), although both rockets have the same diameter; 1.68 metres (5.5 ft). Its first stage has a mass of 5680 kilograms (12,522.3 lb), and is powered by a single Merlin 1C engine, burning 39463 kilograms (87,001 lb) of RP-1
and liquid oxygen
. The first stage will burn to depletion, taking around 196 seconds to do so. After this it will separate from the second stage by means of pyrotechnic fastener
s and pneumatic actuator
s. The second stage has a mass of 544 kilograms (1,199.3 lb) and its Kestrel
engine burns 3037 kilograms (6,695.4 lb) of propellant. It is restartable, and can burn for up to a total of 418 seconds.
Falcon 1e launches are currently only scheduled to occur from Omelek Island
, part of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands
, however SpaceX have announced that they will consider other locations as long as there is a "business case for establishing the requested launch site". Following a demonstration flight, the Falcon 1e will make a series of launches carrying Orbcomm O2G
spacecraft, with a total of eighteen satellites being launched, several per rocket. The last Orbcomm launch is expected to take place in 2014. It is also expected to conduct a launch for Taiwan
's National Space Organisation in 2013, and a launch for EADS Astrium
in 2014. Under a contract with SpaceX, EADS Astrium will also be responsible for marketing the Falcon 1e in Europe.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
small partially reusable launch system
Reusable launch system
A reusable launch system is a launch system which is capable of launching a launch vehicle into space more than once. This contrasts with expendable launch systems, where each launch vehicle is launched once and then discarded.No true orbital reusable launch system is currently in use. The...
which is being developed by SpaceX
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or more popularly and informally known as SpaceX, is an American space transport company that operates out of Hawthorne, California...
. It will replace the Falcon 1
Falcon 1
The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX, a space transportation company in Hawthorne, California. 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...
, which was retired in 2009 following five launches, two of which were successful. The Falcon 1e consists of a new first stage, the same second stage used on the Falcon 1, and a new, larger payload fairing. It is expected to make its maiden flight in mid 2011.
The Falcon 1e is 6.1 metres (20 ft) longer than the Falcon 1, with an overall length of 27.4 metres (89.9 ft), although both rockets have the same diameter; 1.68 metres (5.5 ft). Its first stage has a mass of 5680 kilograms (12,522.3 lb), and is powered by a single Merlin 1C engine, burning 39463 kilograms (87,001 lb) of RP-1
RP-1
RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene outwardly similar to jet fuel, used as a rocket fuel. Although having a lower specific impulse than liquid hydrogen , RP-1 is cheaper, can be stored at room temperature, is far less of an explosive hazard and is far denser...
and liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
. The first stage will burn to depletion, taking around 196 seconds to do so. After this it will separate from the second stage by means of pyrotechnic fastener
Pyrotechnic fastener
A pyrotechnic fastener is a fastener, usually a nut or bolt, that incorporates a pyrotechnic charge that can be initiated remotely. One or more explosive charges embedded within the bolt are typically activated by an electric current, and the charge breaks the bolt into two or more pieces...
s and pneumatic actuator
Pneumatic actuator
A pneumatic actuator converts energy into motion. The motion can be rotary or linear, depending on the type of actuator.Some types of pneumatic actuators include:*Tie rod cylinders*Rotary actuators*Grippers...
s. The second stage has a mass of 544 kilograms (1,199.3 lb) and its Kestrel
Kestrel (rocket engine)
The Kestrel engine is an LOX/RP-1 pressure-fed rocket engine. The Kestrel engine was developed by SpaceX for upper stage use on the Falcon 1 rocket....
engine burns 3037 kilograms (6,695.4 lb) of propellant. It is restartable, and can burn for up to a total of 418 seconds.
Falcon 1e launches are currently only scheduled to occur from Omelek Island
Omelek Island
Omelek Island is part of the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is controlled by the United States military under a long-term lease and is part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site.-Geography:The Island is about in size...
, part of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
, however SpaceX have announced that they will consider other locations as long as there is a "business case for establishing the requested launch site". Following a demonstration flight, the Falcon 1e will make a series of launches carrying Orbcomm O2G
Orbcomm (satellite)
Orbcomm satellites are low Earth orbit communications satellites, operated by the United States satellite communications company Orbcomm, Inc. As of 2008, 44 such satellites are in orbit.-Orbcomm-CDS:...
spacecraft, with a total of eighteen satellites being launched, several per rocket. The last Orbcomm launch is expected to take place in 2014. It is also expected to conduct a launch for Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
's National Space Organisation in 2013, and a launch for EADS Astrium
EADS Astrium
Astrium Satellites is one of the three business units of Astrium, a subsidiary of EADS. It is a European space manufacturer involved in the manufacture of spacecraft used for science, Earth observation and telecommunication, as well as the equipment and subsystems used therein and related ground...
in 2014. Under a contract with SpaceX, EADS Astrium will also be responsible for marketing the Falcon 1e in Europe.