Falcon 9 is SpaceX's workhorse partially reusable two-stage orbital rocket that has revolutionized the launch industry with its reusability and high launch cadence. Since its debut in 2010, Falcon 9 has become the most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket, dramatically lowering launch costs while maintaining high reliability. In 2020, it became the first commercial rocket to launch humans to orbit and continues to dominate the commercial launch market. Falcon 9 launched 165 times in 2025, more than every other launch vehicle combined. That included eight National Security Space Launch missions to low-, medium-, and geostationary transfer orbits.
Falcon 9 Technical Data
First Launch: June 4, 2010.
Total Launches (through CY 2025): 582.
Launches in CY 25: 165.
Class: Medium-lift partially reusable launch vehicle.
Company: SpaceX.
Payload to LEO: Up to 22,800 kg (50,265 lb).
Payload to GEO: Up to 8,300 kg (18,300 lb) to GTO.
Engine Type: Nine Merlin 1D engines (first stage), one Merlin Vacuum engine (second stage).
NSSL Lane 2 Certified: Yes.