How is Falcon 9 better than other active rockets?

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is launching every week and it's attracting more and more people watching it launch and land. So how is it better than other active rockets, like the Soyuz rockets?

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Learn more about Falcon 9 here: Falcon 9

 

We are not comparing Falcon 9 with Space Shuttle or other retired legendaries here :)

Falcon 9 launch.
Image credit: SpaceX

Merlin Engines 

 

The Merlin engine powers the Falcon 9, with 9 of them under the booster. The engine uses RP-1 and liquid oxygen to produce thrust. The engine size is quite small, compared to other engines such as the RS-25 which is used in the Space Launch System and the Space Shuttle.

Some parts of the engine is 3D printed to reduce the cost. It's special because it has a very high thrust-to-weight ratio, around 180.1. That's a lot!! 

The Merlin 1D engine.
Image credit: SpaceX

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Landing

After separating the second stage from the first stage (booster), the booster starts to either continue cruising to land on droneship or make a boost-back burn to head back to landing site. 

Then those 4 waffle-looking grid fins will be deployed. It is used to adjust and to land the booster precisely. 

To prevent the booster from ending up burning in the atmosphere, the booster will perform an entry burn. Only 1 ~ 3 engines will ignite for this burn. This will slow it down but this is also what makes the booster black and sooty. 

Cold-gas thrusters will also be used to control its descend. Then, 1~3 engines will relight again for its final burn, the landing burn. 

Due to its very powerful thrust, it cannot hover at all. So, it has to perform what's called a hover slam or suicide burn. What that means is that it has to relight the engines at the perfect time. The engines will gradually slow the rocket down and reach 0 velocity right at 0 altitude! If not, the booster will either crash to hard to the land or fly back up!

Video of Falcon 9 booster landing on OCISLY droneship on May 16.

Video credit: SpaceX, Scott Manley

Fairing Recovery

After fairing separation, the fairing don't just burn up in the atmosphere. Interestingly, it has tiny thrusters to adjust its orientation and reenter Earth's atmosphere! 

It used to be recovered on ships, but the ships retired on April 6 2021. Now, it will just splash down into the sea without any cool ships catching it. The catching video is below!

They will be used again on another launch. If you observe the Falcon 9 launches these days, you can see the fairing is dark and brownish. 

Ms.Tree catches fairing half.

Video credit: SpaceX

Reliabilty

Falcon 9 has a very high reliability. The rocket has about 98% success rate. As of May 27 2021, Falcon 9 launched 119 times and the 66th time of a refurbished one. The Starlink mission that launched on May 27 also marks the 100th consecutive successful flight of Falcon 9! 

Falcon 9 is capable of flying 100 times repeatedly. Recently on May 10, the B1051 booster reached its 10th flight. It's the first booster in the Falcon 9 family to do so. What a huge milestone!

10th flight of B1051 booster.

Video credit: SpaceX

Conclusion

So, it's surely one of the best rocket ever made, and ever launched. With their Starship in development, I believe Starship will soon overtake Falcon 9 or even Falcon Heavy.

Falcon 9 booster landing.
Image credit: SpaceX