FALCON HEAVY
THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL ROCKET
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total launching total landings reflown rockets
Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. With the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb) Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy. Falcon Heavy is composed of three Falcon 9 nine-engine cores whose 27 Merlin engines together generate more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft.
FALCON HEAVY

FIRST STAGE
OVERVIEW| ENGINE| LANDING LEGS
Falcon 9’s first stage incorporates nine Merlin engines and aluminum-lithium alloy tanks containing liquid oxygen and rocket- grade kerosene (RP-1) propellant. Falcon 9 generates more than 1.7 million pounds of thrust at sea level.

VIDEO

FALCON HEAVY FIRST
FLIGHT

UNMATCHED
PERFORMANCE

With more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, Falcon Heavy is
the most capable rocket flying. By comparison, the liftoff thrust of
the Falcon Heavy equals approximately eighteen 747 aircraft at full
power. Falcon Heavy can lift the equivalent of a fully loaded 737
jetliner—complete with passengers, luggage and fuel—to orbit.

ENGINES

MERLIN
SEA LEVEL| VACCUM
Merlin is a family of rocket engines developed by SpaceX for use on its Falcon 1, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. Merlin engines use RP-1 and liquid oxygen as rocket propellants in a gas-generator power cycle. The Merlin engine was originally designed for recovery and reuse.
PROPELLANT LOx / RP-1
diameter 845 kN / 190,000 lbf