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Engine · Space

Merlin

Kerosene-oxygen rocket engine family for Falcon launch vehicles.

by SpaceX · Unveiled Mar 19, 2003

FieldedEngineSpaceMilestone2012
Two Merlin 1D engines mounted in a dual test stand

Photo: SpaceX · CC0 1.0

Milestones20032012
  1. UnveiledSpaceX names Merlin engine in first firing announcement, confirmed
  2. MilestoneMerlin 1D full-duration hot firing demonstrated, confirmed

Timeline2

  1. UnveiledConfirmed

    SpaceX names Merlin engine in first firing announcement

    SpaceX's first press release, announcing the initial firing of the Falcon main engine, publicly named the engine Merlin. SpaceX's February 2003 homepage described the Falcon's engines without naming them.

    SourcesSpaceX

  2. MilestoneConfirmed

    Merlin 1D full-duration hot firing demonstrated

    FAA annual report describes a successful launch-duration firing in 2012; not the first test of the earlier Merlin engine family.

    SourcesFederal Aviation Administration

Solid entries are confirmed, outlined reported, dashed estimated or still to come; dotted italic entries are speculative. Dates show only the precision the sources give.

Used in2

  • A Falcon 9 lifting off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on the SES-10 mission

    Falcon 9

    FieldedLaunch vehicle

    Merlin family powers first and second stages, with sea-level and vacuum variants.

    Link Confirmed

  • Falcon Heavy lifting off from Launch Complex 39A on its demonstration flight

    Falcon Heavy

    FieldedLaunch vehicle

    Merlin family powers the Falcon Heavy launch vehicle; individual engine generations are not separate products here.

    Link Confirmed

Sources3

  1. 1.
    CompanySpaceX Performs First Rocket Engine Firing

    SpaceX · Mar 19, 2003 · Supports: System milestone

    “In initial tests, the liquid oxygen and kerosene engine, named Merlin, achieved full expected thrust of 60,000 lbs and a combustion efficiency of 93%.”
  2. 2.
    Government recordAnnual Compendium of Commercial Space Transportation 2012

    Federal Aviation Administration · Supports: System milestone

    “SpaceX successfully hot fired its new Merlin 1D engine”
  3. 3.
    CompanyFalcon User’s Guide

    SpaceX · Supports: System

    “10 Merlin engines (Falcon 9) or 28 engines (Falcon Heavy)”

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