Is the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket reusable?

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 (RP-1) as propellants.

How much does a Falcon 9 second stage cost?

SpaceX charges $62 million for a new, unflown Falcon 9 system. This includes the booster and second stage capable of sending 22.8 tonnes to low Earth orbit, or 8.3 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit.

What is helium used for on Falcon 9?

The new helium bottles are known as composite overwrapped pressure vessels, or COPVs, and they store cold helium at high pressures for injection into the rocket’s propellant tanks, maintaining their pressure as the Falcon 9’s engines consume kerosene and liquid oxygen in flight.

What happens to Stage 2 of the rocket?

Stage II is restartable, and fires twice. The first burn occurs during the final portion of the boost phase and is used to insert the second and third stage spacecraft stack into a low Earth orbit. The second stage is programmed to shut itself off once the rocket and spacecraft are in orbit around Earth.

Why is helium used in rockets?

Helium is used to pressurize and stiffen the structure of rockets before takeoff and to pressurize the tanks of liquid hydrogen or other fuel in order to force fuel into the rocket engines. It is useful for this application because it remains a gas even at the low temperature of liquid hydrogen.

What does SpaceX use helium for?

Helium, used to pressurize the tanks on Falcon 9, reportedly costs more than the actual fuel that powers the rocket. A finite and ever-decreasing resource (at least until we can start cloud mining on Jupiter….), this could be a major stumbling block for operating at the scale that SpaceX wants to do with Starship.

Does Falcon 9 second stage return to Earth?

While the main booster returns to Earth for a landing (so SpaceX can refurbish and reuse it on future launches), once the second stage has completed its role in the mission, it is either intentionally destroyed or left to linger in orbit.

Is the second stage reusable?

The reusable second-stage program appears to have drawn inspiration from SpaceX for more than just its stainless steel materials. In making both the first and second stages of New Glenn fully reusable, Bezos is emulating Musk’s ambitious plan to land and reuse both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage.