Recently, Falcon 9, the partially reusable launch vehicle developed by SpaceX, has been in the news due to various events. One notable incident involved the explosion of SpaceX's Starship rocket during its second test flight, resulting in the loss of both the booster and spacecraft. Additionally, U.S. regulators concluded an investigation into a previous Starship test led by SpaceX. These events have brought attention to SpaceX's ongoing efforts in space exploration and technology development.
Falcon 9, designed and manufactured by SpaceX in the United States, is a two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle. It is powered by Merlin engines, developed by SpaceX, which burn cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene. Falcon 9 is known for its partially reusable design, with the ability to land its first stage back on Earth for refurbishment and reuse. This innovation has significantly reduced the cost of space launches and has made SpaceX a key player in the commercial space industry.