Mercedes Mullins
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has been in use since 2009 and has achieved a 99.4% success rate as of August 2025. The rocket is fueled by liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel, with a total thrust at liftoff of approximately 1.3 million pounds. The Falcon 9's payload capacity varies depending on the orbit, with a maximum payload capacity of 28,991 pounds to Low-Earth Orbit and 10,692 pounds to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The rocket's fuel consumption and mileage have been analyzed by various sources, with calculations considering the percentage of RP-1 and LOX in the fuel mix, as well as the rocket's power output and stage separation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel (a type of rocket-grade kerosene) |
| Fuel in lbs | 3,200 lbs of fuel per second at full power |
| Total fuel | 64,000 gallons of fuel mixture |
| Liquid oxygen in fuel mixture | 39,000 gallons |
| RP-1 liquid fuel in fuel mixture | 25,000 gallons |
| Total thrust at liftoff | 1.323 million pounds |
| First stage thrust | 1.71 million pounds |
| Second stage thrust | 210,000 pounds |
| Maximum payload to Low-Earth Orbit | 50,265 pounds |
| Maximum payload to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit | 18,300 pounds |
| Maximum payload on a Mars trajectory | 8,860 pounds |
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What You'll Learn
Falcon 9's fuel consumption at full power
The Falcon 9 rocket has nine engines that, at full power, consume 3,200 lbs of fuel per second. This works out at 18,596.704 gallons of liquid oxygen and 4,638 gallons of rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) per second. The rocket's first stage uses fuel to land and the total thrust at liftoff is approximately 1.323 million pounds. The first stage burns for about 180 seconds after launch. The Falcon 9 Version 1.1 first stage burned liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel. Its nine Merlin engines burned for a nominal 180 seconds. The stage's thrust rose to 1.5 million pounds as the booster climbed out of the atmosphere.
The Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) is the current iteration of the rocket. It employs denser, super-cold liquid oxygen, which, along with an extended fuel tank, allows more fuel to be loaded into the rocket. This increases liftoff thrust and burn time. The first stage thrust is increased to 1.71 million pounds at liftoff, while the second stage thrust is 210,000 pounds. The rocket is designed to fly up to ten times without refurbishing and up to 100 times with periodic refurbishing.
The Falcon 9's first stage uses liquid oxygen and RP-1 fuel to land. Elon Musk has stated that around 30% of fuel is typically left upon landing. The first stage of the current Block 5 Falcon 9 uses 45,419g of liquid oxygen and 27,002g of RP-1. The second stage ignites at 2 minutes and 48 seconds after launch and ends its burn at 9 minutes and 6 seconds after launch.
SpaceX has noted that the Falcon 9's first stage is designed for "engine-out" capability. During the CRS-1 mission in October 2012, engine number 1 lost pressure at 79 seconds and shut down. To compensate for the loss of acceleration, the first stage burned for an extra 28 seconds, and the second stage burned for an additional 15 seconds. This extra burn time reduced fuel reserves, decreasing the likelihood of sufficient fuel to execute the mission from 99% to 95%.
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The rocket's fuel mixture
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket manufactured by SpaceX, which was founded in 2002 with the goal of revolutionizing space technology. The rocket's first stage is powered by nine Merlin engines, each capable of producing an initial thrust of 125,000 pounds. This combination provides a total liftoff thrust of about 1.1 million pounds for the Falcon 9 Version 1.0 and 1.323 million pounds for the Falcon 9 Version 1.1. The Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5), which is currently in use, has an even higher first-stage thrust of 1.71 million pounds.
The Falcon 9's first stage burns a mixture of liquid oxygen and RP-1 (a type of kerosene) fuel. This liquid fuel mixture is crucial for the rocket's operation and performance. The liquid oxygen is super cold, nearly at its freezing point, which makes it denser. This denser fuel, coupled with an extended fuel tank, allows more fuel to be loaded into the rocket, resulting in increased liftoff thrust and burn time.
Each of the nine Merlin engines in the first stage contributes significantly to the overall thrust and performance of the Falcon 9 rocket. These engines are arranged in a unique pattern that SpaceX calls Octaweb, which simplifies and streamlines manufacturing. The Octaweb configuration also enhances the rocket's reliability and stability during flight.
The first stage of the Falcon 9 burns for approximately 180 seconds after launch, providing the initial boost and acceleration needed to lift the rocket and its payload to a predetermined speed and altitude. During this short but critical period, the combination of the powerful Merlin engines and the dense liquid fuel mixture enables the Falcon 9 to achieve the required velocity and altitude for its mission.
The second stage of the Falcon 9 is powered by a single Merlin engine, which produces a thrust of 180,000 pounds for the Falcon 9 Version 1.1 and 210,000 pounds for the Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5). This stage burns for about 375 seconds and can be restarted multiple times as needed to deliver the payload to its target orbit. The extended burn time and restart capability of the second stage provide flexibility and precision in delivering payloads to their intended destinations.
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Fuel tank capacity
The Falcon 9 rocket, designed, manufactured, and launched by American aerospace company SpaceX, employs liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel. The Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) uses liquid oxygen that is super cold, nearly at its freezing point. This denser fuel, coupled with an extended fuel tank, allows more fuel to be loaded into the rocket, increasing liftoff thrust and burn time.
The Falcon 9's nine engines burn approximately 3,200 lbs of fuel per second at full power, with a total burn time of about 180 seconds after launch. The first stage of Falcon 9 Version 1.1 burned for about 180 seconds after launch, while the second stage burned for about 375 seconds after ignition and could be restarted multiple times. The first stage of Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) produces a thrust of 1.71 million pounds, while the second stage produces 210,000 pounds of thrust.
The Falcon 9 can carry a significant amount of fuel, with estimates ranging from 64,000 to 64,885 gallons of fuel mixture. This includes about 39,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and approximately 25,000 gallons of RP-1 rocket-grade kerosene. The percentage of RP-1 in the fuel mixture is approximately 39%, with liquid oxygen making up the remaining 61%.
The fuel capacity and performance of the Falcon 9 have evolved over time, with the V1.1 version offering a 60% increase in thrust compared to the v1.0. The improvements in fuel tank capacity and engine design have contributed to the increased payload capability of the Falcon 9, allowing it to carry heavier payloads to Low-Earth Orbit and Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
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Fuel type
Falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen and a refined kerosene called RP-1 as fuel. The liquid oxygen needs to be cooled to cryogenic temperatures to be compressed and fit more into the rocket. In fact, the use of denser fuel, along with an extended fuel tank, allows more fuel to be loaded into the rocket, increasing liftoff thrust and burn time.
Liquid oxygen makes up more than two-thirds of the overall fuel load and is the cheapest of the two fuels, at just 20 cents per kilogram. On the other hand, RP-1 is more expensive, with SpaceX initially paying around $2 for every kilogram of RP-1 before renegotiating to lower the cost to around 70 cents per kilogram.
The Falcon 9 Version 1.1 first stage burned liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel and was comprised of nine Merlin engines. The first stage burned for about 180 seconds after launch, while the second stage burned for about 375 seconds after ignition and could be restarted multiple times.
The Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) is currently in use. This version has a denser fuel load and an extended fuel tank, increasing liftoff thrust to 1.71 million pounds and second-stage thrust to 210,000 pounds.
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Fuel weight
Falcon 9 is a partially reusable rocket designed, manufactured, and launched by SpaceX, an American aerospace company founded in 2002. The rocket is used to carry cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station.
The Falcon 9 rocket uses liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene as fuel. The rocket's first stage burns for about 180 seconds after launch, and the entire first-stage array is designed to be recovered on a barge at sea or on land for refurbishment and reuse. The first stage of Falcon 9 Version 1.1 burned liquid oxygen and RP-1 liquid fuel, and it was comprised of nine Merlin engines, offering a total sea-level thrust at liftoff of 1,323,000 lbf. The first stage of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) offers an increased thrust of 1.71 million pounds at liftoff due to denser fuel and an extended fuel tank.
The fuel weight of Falcon 9 depends on various factors, such as the payload weight and the duration of the first-stage burn. According to calculations by a Reddit user, the Falcon 9 burns approximately 3,200 lbs of fuel per second at full power, which includes 1,248 lbs of RP-1 (rocket-grade kerosene) and 1,952 lbs of LOX (liquid oxygen). This calculation assumes a fuel mixture of 39% RP-1 and 61% LOX.
Another Reddit user provided a different set of calculations, suggesting that the Falcon 9's first stage uses approximately 45,419 grams of LOX and 27,002 grams of RP-1. These calculations are based on Elon Musk's statement that the first stage typically has about "30%" of fuel remaining upon landing.
SpaceX has also mentioned the challenge of flying additional fuel to perform the landing of the Falcon 9 rocket on an ocean pad, which could save millions of dollars as it can be reused for future travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Falcon 9 carries about 39,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and about 25,000 gallons of rocket-grade kerosene, for a total of 64,000 gallons of fuel mixture.
Falcon 9 burns 3,200 lbs of fuel per second at full power.
Falcon 9 burns 561.46279 gallons of fuel per second in the first stage if at full power.
Falcon 9 Version 1.1 has a total thrust at liftoff of 1,323,000 lbs, while the Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) has a first-stage thrust of 1,710,000 lbs.
Falcon 9 can carry a maximum payload of 28,991 lbs to Low-Earth Orbit and a maximum of 10,692 lbs to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The Falcon 9 Full Thrust Version (Block 5) can carry up to 50,265 lbs to Low-Earth Orbit.
