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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Falcon 9

Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.

SpaceXActive
Admin
Variants
5
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
663
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
22,000 kg
Maximum payload capacity across listed variants and orbits.

Launch Cadence

Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.

YearHistorical missionsForecast launches
2019110
2020250
2021310
2022600
2023910
20241320
20251650
202682140
20270157
20280185
20290203
20300211
20310211
20320210
20330209
20340209
20350

Performance Specs

Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Falcon 9
LEO22,000 kgUnknownUnknownSpaceX Capabilities & Services
Falcon 9 FT5
LEO22,000 kgUnknownUnknownSpaceX Capabilities & Services (live vehicle spec sheet)

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch
Starlink-408
Falcon 9 FT5
Jul 11, 2026
Starlink-407
Falcon 9 FT5
Jul 9, 2026
Transporter-17
Falcon 9 FT5
Jul 7, 2026
Starlink-406

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
Falcon 9
Not stated7Retired
Falcon 9 1.1
Not stated14Retired
Falcon 9 FT3
Not stated24Retired
Falcon 9 FT4
Not stated12Retired
209
20360209
20370209
20380209
20390209
20400209
20410209

Forecast Location Split

4 launch locations represented.

YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)8585%SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-sh...
2026Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)1565%LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vand...
2026Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)4085%SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also ...
2026Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)065%SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below...
2027Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)9585%SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-sh...
2027Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)1265%LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vand...
2027Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)4585%SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also ...
2027Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)565%SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below...
2028Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)10585%SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-sh...
2028Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)1065%LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vand...
2028Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)5085%SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also ...
2028Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)2065%SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below...
2029Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)11085%SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-sh...
2029Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)865%LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vand...
2029Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)5085%SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also ...
2029Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)3565%SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below...
2030Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)11085%SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-sh...
2030Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)665%LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vand...
2030Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)5085%SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also ...
2030Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)4565%SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below...
2031Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)11085%SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-sh...
2031Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)665%LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vand...
2031Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)5085%SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also ...
2031Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)4565%SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below...
Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2026 · 85% confidence
85

SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-ship cycles, and Stars...

Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)
2026 · 65% confidence
15

LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vandenberg as Starship i...

Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)
2026 · 85% confidence
40

SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also online.

Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)
2026 · 65% confidence
0

SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below SLC-4E.

Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2027 · 85% confidence
95

SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-ship cycles, and Stars...

Falcon 9 FT5
LEO17,400 kgUnknownUnknownFalcon 9 - Wikipedia (citing SpaceX Capabilities & Services spec sheet, archived 2025-08-06)
Falcon 9 FT5
GTO8,300 kgUnknownUnknownSpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle page
Falcon 9
GTO8,300 kgUnknown28.5 degSpaceX Capabilities & Services
Falcon 9
SSO7,742 kg500 km97.4 degSpaceX Falcon 9 User's Guide 2009, Table 4-3 via Spaceflight Now
Falcon 9 FT5
SSO7,742 kg500 km97.4 degSpaceX Falcon 9 User's Guide 2009, Table 4-3 via Spaceflight Now
Falcon 9 FT5
GTO5,800 kgUnknownUnknownFalcon 9 - Wikipedia (citing SpaceX Capabilities & Services spec sheet, archived 2025-08-06)
Falcon 9
GTO5,500 kgUnknown28.5 degSpaceX Capabilities & Services
Falcon 9 FT5
escape4,020 kgUnknownUnknownSpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle page
Falcon 9
escape4,020 kgUnknownUnknownSpaceX Capabilities & Services
Falcon 9 FT5
Jul 5, 2026
Starlink-405
Falcon 9 FT5
Jul 2, 2026
SXM-11 Mission
Falcon 9 FT5
Jun 29, 2026
Starlink-404
Falcon 9 FT5
Jun 28, 2026
Starlink-403
Falcon 9 FT5
Jun 24, 2026

Forecasted Missions

Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.

MissionVariantAnnounced

No forecasted missions

No upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family.

Falcon 9 FT5
Not stated606Active
Track
Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)
2027 · 65% confidence
12

LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vandenberg as Starship i...

Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)
2027 · 85% confidence
45

SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also online.

Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)
2027 · 65% confidence
5

SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below SLC-4E.

Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2028 · 85% confidence
105

SLC-40 is the Falcon high-throughput workhorse. Base stays below the FAA-analyzed 120/year cap to reflect range weather, maintenance, pad turnarounds, drone-ship cycles, and Stars...

Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida)
2028 · 65% confidence
10

LC-39A remains useful for crewed Dragon, high-priority NASA/commercial missions, and Falcon Heavy, but Falcon 9 single-stick work shifts toward SLC-40 and Vandenberg as Starship i...

Space Launch Complex 4-East, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)
2028 · 85% confidence
50

SLC-4E already supports high polar/SSO and NRO/Starshield cadence. Base rises to about half of the authorized VSFB combined Falcon capacity once SLC-6 is also online.

Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg AFB (South Vandenberg AFB, California)
2028 · 65% confidence
20

SLC-6 provides the main incremental West Coast capacity. Ramp starts after pad modifications and operational shakeout, then reaches a mature cadence just below SLC-4E.

Mentions
2745
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

The Falcon 9 first stage booster that flew Hera previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, Korea 425, Maxar 1, ASBM, and 10 Starlink missions.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Oct 7, 2024SpaceX sends off ESA’s Hera planetary defense mission to study NASA’s astroid redirection
Page55of138

Thaicom launched the Thaicom 6 satellite on a Falcon 9 mission in 2014.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.2Oct 7, 2024SpaceX is enlisted to launch Thaicom-10 satellite

On September 17, 2023, the FAA announced its intent to fine SpaceX approximately $663,000 for violations related to Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch licenses.

LegalFinancialValue 4.0Sep 23, 2024“Pending regulatory approval”: launch companies struggle with licensing

SpaceX argues that it provided notice of the new control center location more than a month ahead of the Falcon 9 launch.

LegalPlanValue 3.0Sep 23, 2024“Pending regulatory approval”: launch companies struggle with licensing

SpaceX allegedly conducted a Falcon 9 launch in June 2023 without FAA approval for a new launch control center.

LegalGeneralValue 4.0Sep 23, 2024“Pending regulatory approval”: launch companies struggle with licensing

The Falcon 9 booster used on the BlueBird 1-5 mission previously launched Crew-6, O3b mPOWER, USSF-124, and nine Starlink missions.

GeneralValue 4.0Sep 12, 2024SpaceX sends BlueBirds flying as AST SpaceMobile’s largest satellite communications array launches in low Earth orbit

Falcon 9 launched AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 1-5 mission to low-Earth orbit on Thursday, 2024-09-12 at 4:52 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 12, 2024SpaceX sends BlueBirds flying as AST SpaceMobile’s largest satellite communications array launches in low Earth orbit

The two Galileo satellites launched on 2024-04-28 were injected into MEO by a Falcon 9 rocket.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 12, 2024SpaceX to launch ESA’s Galileo L13, two more satellites for Europe’s alternative to American GPS

The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting the BlueBird 1-5 mission flew its 13th flight and achieved the 347th successful landing.

CapabilityPlanGeneralValue 4.0Sep 12, 2024SpaceX sends BlueBirds flying as AST SpaceMobile’s largest satellite communications array launches in low Earth orbit

A Falcon 9 carrying the Block 1 BlueBird spacecraft lifted off at 4:52 a.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and released all five satellites into low Earth orbit about 68 minutes later.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 12, 2024AST SpaceMobile deploys first production direct-to-smartphone satellites

Resilience is one of three lunar landers proposing to launch late 2024 or early next year on separate Falcon 9 flights.

PlanGeneralValue 3.6Sep 12, 2024Second ispace lunar lander planned for launch in December

The next Galileo satellites after the recent launches are planned to launch in the coming weeks from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida onboard a Falcon 9.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Sep 12, 2024SpaceX to launch ESA’s Galileo L13, two more satellites for Europe’s alternative to American GPS

The next couple of Galileo satellites are planned to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida onboard a Falcon 9 in the coming weeks.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Sep 10, 2024SpaceX to launch Galileo L13, Europe’s alternative to American GPS

Polaris Dawn launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, 2024-09-10 at 5:23 a.m. ET.

PlanGeneralValue 4.2Sep 10, 2024SpaceX’s Success at last as Polaris Dawn soars to the highest orbit with humans since the Apollo 17

Polaris Dawn launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on a Falcon 9 at 5:23 a.m. Eastern on 2024-09-10.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 10, 2024Crew Dragon launches on Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission

A Falcon 9 rocket injected the April-launched Galileo satellites into Medium Earth Orbit near their final positions.

GeneralPlanValue 4.0Sep 10, 2024SpaceX to launch Galileo L13, Europe’s alternative to American GPS

SpaceX suffered two flight anomalies in the summer, including a leak in an upper stage of the Falcon 9 and a booster breakup during descent.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Sep 9, 2024NASA and safety: more is better

SpaceX deployed Lynk Global’s two latest pizza-box-sized satellites during a Falcon 9 rideshare mission on 2024-03-04.

PlanRelationshipsValue 4.5Sep 9, 2024Lynk Global shakes up leadership amid ongoing funding talks

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, 2024-09-05 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.4Sep 4, 2024SpaceX moves Starlink smallsat launch to Thursday, will include Direct to Cell

SpaceX scheduled Polaris Dawn to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida at 3:38 a.m. EDT (0738 UTC) on 2024-09-01.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Sep 3, 2024SpaceX’s new launch date for Polaris Dawn’s mission that includes risks for astronauts