Falcon 9 is a partially reusable medium-lift launch vehicle that can carry cargo and crew into Earth orbit, designed, manufactured and launched by American aerospace company SpaceX

The Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket that uses liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene. It's 157 feet (48.1 meters) tall and can produce 1 million pounds of thrust in a vacuum. 

Design 

The first stage has nine Merlin engines that gradually throttle as the rocket's mass decreases. The first stage also has four carbon fiber landing legs that deploy before landing.  

Engine 

The Falcon 9 can carry up to 28,991 pounds to Low-Earth Orbit or 10,692 pounds to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. 

Payload 

The Falcon 9 transports satellites to low Earth orbit and geosynchronous transfer orbit. It can also carry SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, including manned missions. 

Mission 

The Falcon 9 has completed more than 270 successful launches, including the first first-stage landing on April 8, 2016. 

History