Key facts
By the
numbers.
| Operator | SpaceX |
|---|---|
| Height | 69.8 m |
| Diameter | 3.7 m |
| Mass | 549 t |
| First stage | 9 Merlin 1D |
| Second stage | 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum |
| Payload to LEO | 22.8 t expended · 17.5 t with booster landing |
| First flight | 4 June 2010 |
The Real Rocket
Falcon 9: history, specs and famous launches
Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s reusable two-stage rocket and the most-flown rocket in service. It first flew on 4 June 2010, landed its first booster on 21 December 2015 and has carried astronauts in Crew Dragon since 30 May 2020. As of October 2026 it has launched more than 650 times with a success rate above 99 %.
Facts checked October 2026 · sources below
By the
Famous launches
Moments that
made history.
- Flight 1
Maiden flight, carrying a Dragon qualification unit.
- Dragon C2+
Dragon becomes the first commercial spacecraft to visit the International Space Station.
- Orbcomm OG-2
First landing of an orbital rocket booster, back at Cape Canaveral.
- SES-10
First re-flight of a used orbital booster.
- Crew Dragon Demo-2
First crewed flight: Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS, the first crewed launch from the US since 2011.
- Transporter-1
Record of 143 satellites on a single launch.
Records & firsts
Worth
knowing.
- Most-flown rocket in service: more than 650 launches as of October 2026.
- A single booster has flown more than 30 times.
- More than 600 successful booster landings.
FAQ
Quick
answers.
How tall is Falcon 9?
69.8 metres including the payload fairing, with a diameter of 3.7 metres.
When was the first Falcon 9 booster landing?
On 21 December 2015, on the Orbcomm OG-2 mission, at Cape Canaveral.
How many engines does Falcon 9 have?
Nine Merlin 1D engines on the first stage and one Merlin Vacuum on the second stage.
When did Falcon 9 first fly astronauts?
On 30 May 2020, on the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission to the ISS.
Sources
Checked
against.
The past
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