# Falcon 9 v1.1

> second version of SpaceX's Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q15215794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15215794)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9_v1.1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/falcon-9-v1-1

## Summary
Falcon 9 v1.1 was the second version of SpaceX's Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle, featuring significant upgrades over its predecessor. It introduced Merlin 1D engines and stretched fuel tanks, increasing payload capacity to 13,150 kg to low Earth orbit and 4,850 kg to geostationary transfer orbit.

## Key Facts
- First flight: September 29, 2013 at 16:00 UTC
- Manufacturer: SpaceX
- Powered by: 9 Merlin 1D engines (first stage) and 1 Merlin 1D Vacuum engine (second stage)
- Payload capacity: 13,150 kg to low Earth orbit, 4,850 kg to geostationary transfer orbit
- Service retirement: January 17, 2016
- Replaced by: Falcon 9 Full Thrust
- Replaced: Falcon 9 v1.0
- Country of origin: United States
- Instance of: rocket model
- Subclass of: Falcon 9

## FAQs
### Q: What was the main improvement of Falcon 9 v1.1 over the previous version?
A: Falcon 9 v1.1 featured Merlin 1D engines which provided increased thrust and efficiency, along with stretched fuel tanks that increased overall performance and payload capacity compared to the v1.0 version.

### Q: How many Merlin 1D engines did Falcon 9 v1.1 use?
A: Falcon 9 v1.1 used nine Merlin 1D engines in the first stage and one Merlin 1D Vacuum engine in the second stage for a total of ten engines.

### Q: When was Falcon 9 v1.1 retired from service?
A: Falcon 9 v1.1 was retired on January 17, 2016, after being replaced by the more advanced Falcon 9 Full Thrust version.

## Why It Matters
Falcon 9 v1.1 represented a critical evolutionary step in SpaceX's rocket development, bridging the gap between the initial Falcon 9 v1.0 and the highly successful Full Thrust variant. This version demonstrated SpaceX's ability to rapidly iterate and improve their launch vehicle technology, increasing payload capacity by over 50% while maintaining reliability. The Merlin 1D engines introduced in this version became the foundation for SpaceX's subsequent launch vehicles, proving essential for the company's competitive pricing and frequent launch cadence. Falcon 9 v1.1's success helped establish SpaceX as a major player in the commercial launch market and validated their approach to vertical integration and in-house engine development.

## Notable For
- First Falcon 9 version to use Merlin 1D engines, which became the standard for SpaceX's launch vehicles
- Introduced stretched fuel tanks that significantly increased payload capacity
- Successfully launched numerous commercial and government payloads including Jason-3, DSCOVR, and various AsiaSat and TurkmenÄlem satellites
- Demonstrated SpaceX's rapid development cycle with major upgrades between versions
- Served as the transitional platform between v1.0 and the Full Thrust variant that continues to fly today

## Body
### Development and Design
Falcon 9 v1.1 was developed as a major upgrade to the original Falcon 9 v1.0, incorporating numerous improvements based on operational experience. The most significant change was the replacement of the Merlin 1C engines with the more powerful Merlin 1D engines, which provided approximately 50% more thrust. The first stage diameter was increased from 3.6 meters to 3.66 meters, and the fuel tanks were stretched to accommodate more propellant.

### Performance Characteristics
The vehicle stood approximately 68.4 meters tall with a diameter of 3.66 meters. The nine Merlin 1D engines in the first stage produced a combined thrust of 5,885 kN at sea level. The second stage's single Merlin 1D Vacuum engine produced 801 kN of thrust in vacuum conditions. These improvements allowed Falcon 9 v1.1 to deliver significantly more payload to orbit than its predecessor.

### Launch History
Falcon 9 v1.1 made its maiden flight on September 29, 2013, successfully delivering the Canadian CASSIOPE satellite to orbit. Over its service life, the vehicle completed numerous successful launches, including commercial communications satellites for AsiaSat and TurkmenÄlem, as well as scientific missions like Jason-3 and DSCOVR. The version demonstrated high reliability throughout its operational period.

### Technical Innovations
Beyond the engine upgrades, Falcon 9 v1.1 introduced several other improvements including enhanced avionics, upgraded structures, and improved thermal protection systems. These changes laid the groundwork for future reusability efforts, though full reusability capabilities would come with later versions.

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