Falcon 9 is a partially reusable two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle designed and

manufactured by SpaceX in the United States. Both the first and second stages are powered by
SpaceX Merlin engines, using cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) as
propellants. Its name is derived from the fictional Star Wars spacecraft, the Millennium Falcon, and
the nine Merlin engines of the rocket's first stage.[15][16] The rocket evolved with versions v1.0 (2010–
2013), v1.1 (2013–2016), v1.2 "Full Thrust" (2015–present), including the Block 5 Full Thrust variant,
flying since May 2018. Unlike most rockets in service, which are expendable launch systems, since
the introduction of the Full Thrust version, Falcon 9 is partially reusable, with the first stage capable
of re-entering the atmosphere and landing vertically after separating from the second stage. This
feat was achieved for the first time on flight 20 in December 2015.

Falcon 9 can lift payloads of up to 22,800 kilograms (50,300 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO), 8,300 kg
(18,300 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) when expended, and 5,500 kg (12,100 lb) to GTO
when the first stage is recovered.[1][17][18] The heaviest GTO payloads flown have been Intelsat 35e
with 6,761 kg (14,905 lb), and Telstar 19V with 7,075 kg (15,598 lb). The latter was launched into a
lower-energy GTO achieving an apogee well below the geostationary altitude,[19] while the former
was launched into an advantageous super-synchronous transfer orbit.[20]

In 2008, SpaceX won a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract in NASA's Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services (COTS) program to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) using
the Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule. The first mission under this contract launched on 8 October
2012.[21] Falcon 9 has been human-rated for transporting NASA astronauts to the ISS as part of the
NASA Commercial Crew Development program. Falcon 9 has been certified for the National Security
Space Launch[22] program and NASA Launch Services Program as "Category 3", which can launch the
priciest, most important, and most complex NASA missions.[23] Falcon 9 has been considered as the
world's most advanced space launch vehicle by various sources.[24][25][26] As of January 2021, Falcon 9
has the most launches among all U.S. rockets currently in operation and is the only U.S. rocket fully
certified for transporting humans to the International Space Station,[27][28][29] and the only commercial
rocket to launch humans to orbit.[30] On 24 January 2021, Falcon 9 set a new record for the most
satellites launched by a single rocket carrying 143 satellites into orbit.[31]

Five rockets of the version 1.0 design were launched from June 2010 to March 2013. Version 1.1
conducted fifteen launches from September 2013 to January 2016. The "Full Thrust" version has
been in service since December 2015, with several additional upgrades within this version. The latest
"Full Thrust" variant, Block 5, was introduced in May 2018.[32] It features increased engine thrust,
improved landing legs, and other minor improvements to help recovery and reuse. It may carry an
optional third stage. The Falcon Heavy derivative, introduced in February 2018, consists of a
strengthened Falcon 9 first stage as its center core, attached to two standard Falcon 9 first stages
used as boosters. SpaceX plans to eventually replace Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 by the Starship
launch system.[33]
The company’s upcoming Starship that has designers of science missions salivating. SpaceX has not
announced a date for an inaugural flight, but has built six prototypes at a pace of nearly one per
month. (Three have been accidentally destroyed in testing.) The steel alloy spacecraft and its
superheavy booster stand 120 meters tall, towering over the Saturn V that carried people to the
Moon. Last year, Musk said full reusability and thrifty use of propellant would drop the cost of each
Starship launch to $2 million.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9

I chose this text because

I find it fascinating that ever science the dawn of humanity as a species, humans have been
captivated by the stars. In present times, technology progresses at an extraordinary speed and we
are getting closer to the dream of visiting the further reaches of outer space and maybe someday
even other solar systems…. But that day is still far into the future.

What I found interesting was

Interstellar journeys are still in SciFi territory, but there is still a lot we don`t know about our
own solar system, and the Falcon9 can help. It serves as a provision supplier for the ISS, it can
transport humans in space, it can put satellites into orbit, and the fact that it can safely return back
after its mission means that it can be used again, thus reducing costs in both time and money.
I was impressed by

I was impressed by what the Falcon9 means for humanity, cutting costs in both
manufacturing and launching helped launch hundreds of Starlink satellites, which are intended to
deliver high-speed internet to remote areas.

I learnt that

Falcon 9 set a new record for the most satellites launched by a single rocket carrying 143 satellites
into orbit.

Falcon 9 can lift payloads of up to 22,800 kilograms.

Through space exploration we expanded our technology and created new industries. And as
technology continues to evolve so will we as humans.