The Falcon 5 was a proposed two-stage-to-orbit partially reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX, since canceled and replaced by the Falcon 9.
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.
The Falcon 5 would have been th...
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The Falcon 5 was a proposed two-stage-to-orbit partially reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX, since canceled and replaced by the Falcon 9.
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.
The Falcon 5 would have been the first American rocket since the Saturn V to have engine out capability (although the Space Shuttle also has the capability). Failure of up to three Merlin engines could result in a successful flight, depending on when during flight the engine failure takes place. The Falcon 5 also would have been the first American orbital launch vehicle designed to be man-rated (i.e., certified for human transportation) since the Shuttle.
Proposed Falcon 5 launch sites included:
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