Falcon 1

Falcon 1 was a <a href="/facts/Two-stage/WNrmgztj">two-stage</a> <a href="/facts/Small-lift_launch_vehicle/aXBdfESc">small-lift launch vehicle</a> that was operated from 2006 to 2009 by <a href="/facts/SpaceX/2tKHsVdJ">SpaceX</a>, an American <a href="/facts/Aerospace_manufacturer/fdGwdY85">aerospace manufacturer</a>. On September 28, 2008, Falcon 1 became the first <a href="/facts/Private_spaceflight/9rSz8Lhh">privately developed</a> fully liquid-fueled launch vehicle to successfully reach orbit.: 203 
The Falcon 1 used <a href="/facts/Liquid_oxygen/qnI0KDTb">LOX</a>/<a href="/facts/RP-1/wDI7vNdu">RP-1</a> for both stages, the first stage powered by a single pump-fed <a href="/facts/SpaceX_Merlin/95qreG8R">Merlin</a> engine, and the second stage powered by SpaceX's pressure-fed <a href="/facts/SpaceX_Kestrel/vR9v6htG">Kestrel</a> vacuum engine.
The vehicle was launched a total of five times. After three failed launch attempts, Falcon 1 achieved orbit on its fourth attempt in September 2008 with a <a href="/facts/Ratsat/ye2C7wzm">mass simulator</a> as a payload. On July 14, 2009, Falcon 1 made its second successful flight, delivering the <a href="/facts/Malaysia/8zbUMzCP">Malaysian</a> <a href="/facts/RazakSAT/M2QzbcmS">RazakSAT</a> satellite to orbit on SpaceX's first commercial launch (fifth and final launch overall). 
While SpaceX had announced an enhanced variant, the <a href="/facts/Falcon_1e/RF4Ylp7q">Falcon 1e</a>, following this flight, the Falcon 1 was retired in favor of the <a href="/facts/Falcon_9_v1.0/Y1XbcEsn">Falcon 9 v1.0</a>, the first version of the company’s successful and long-running <a href="/facts/Falcon_9/mNck6vby">Falcon 9</a> launch vehicle.

Falcon 1 open-in-new

Falcon 1