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Falcon 1
First privately-developed liquid-fuel rocket to reach orbit. Three failures, then orbit on attempt four.
Overview
Two-stage kerosene/LOX rocket. Five flights total (2006-2009); orbit reached on the fourth in September 2008 — Musk has called it the most important day of his life. Falcon 1 was retired to focus on Falcon 9.
Photos
Specifications
Capacity
- Payload to LEO
- 670 kg
Engine / Propulsion
- Engine
- Merlin 1 (1st stage), Kestrel (2nd)
Dimensions
- Height
- 21 m
Videos
All videos →
Notable Launches
2006-03-24
FalconSAT-2
Engine fire 33s after liftoff
2007-03-21
DemoFlight 2
Stage separation issue
2008-08-03
Trailblazer + cubesats
Stage collision
2008-09-28
RatSat
First private liquid-fuel orbital flight
2009-07-14
RazakSAT
First Falcon 1 commercial payload
Quick Facts
- Unveiled
- 2002
- First Delivery
- 2006-03-24
- Status
- retired
