Falcon 9
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 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. The rocket evolved with versions v1.0, v1.1, v1.2 "Full Thrust", 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.
Europe recently launched the expendable Falcon 9 competitor, Ariane 6, but is the race already over? “In 2014 Ariane controlled 30-40% percent of the market.” But reusability was not taken seriously by ArianeGroup, and now SpaceX has replaced the European behemoth as undisputed launch market leader.
