Spacex Falcon 9 Block 5 targets 24 hour turnaround, no refurbishment reuse and relaunch a dozen times _ NextBigFuture
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With a cheaper design comes a few tradeoffs. The <strong>Block</strong> 5 has<br />
a single Merlin engine on it, although it’s a fairly sophisticated<br />
version of the engine. It uses some of the same tech — like the<br />
guidance computer — from the <strong>Falcon</strong> 9 (which has 9 Merlin<br />
engines), though. Mueller says the <strong>Block</strong> 5 has a significantly<br />
lower cost but the performance is “marginal.”<br />
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The <strong>Falcon</strong> 9 <strong>Block</strong> 5 is expected to be far more reusable than<br />
the <strong>Block</strong> 3. Shotwell said a <strong>Block</strong> 5 booster could <strong>relaunch</strong> “ a<br />
<strong>dozen</strong> or so <strong>times</strong>.” The <strong>Block</strong> 3, by comparison, has an<br />
estimated life of two or three missions.<br />
Shotwell said the <strong>Block</strong> 5 version of the <strong>Falcon</strong> 9 won’t need<br />
refurbishing, but will mainly undergo inspections prior to<br />
launch, streamlining the process compared to the first <strong>reuse</strong>d<br />
boosters.<br />
<strong>Block</strong> 5 will feature:<br />
For increased payload:<br />
* 7–8% more thrust by upgrading the engines,<br />
* an improved flight control system for an optimized angle of<br />
attack on descent, lowering l<strong>and</strong>ing fuel requirements.<br />
For rapid reusability:<br />
* Forged, more temperature-resistant titanium grid fins,<br />
* a thermal protection coating on the first stage to limit reentry<br />
heating damage,<br />
* a set of retractable l<strong>and</strong>ing legs for rapid recovery <strong>and</strong><br />
shipping,<br />
* a reusable heat shield protecting the engines <strong>and</strong> plumbing at<br />
the base of the rocket.<br />
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