In 2010, the private space company SpaceX launched the first Falcon 9 rocket, marking a new era in rocketry. Fifteen years later, the Falcon 9 has become the workhorse of global space exploration – one of the most reliable and most used rockets in history. How has this rocket changed in 15 years? Let’s take a look at the technical evolution of the Falcon 9 from the first model in 2010 to the current version in 2025, and how persistent improvements have led SpaceX to success and recognition.
Technical evolution of Falcon 9 (2010-2025)
The Falcon 9 family has gone through five major versions: v1.0, v1.1, Full Thrust (v1.2), Block 4, and Block 5. The first Falcon 9 v1.0, which flew in 2010-2013, was a fully disposable launch vehicle with no reusable stages. Its first stage had 9 Merlin 1C engines installed in a 3×3 configuration, with a total thrust at launch of ~4.9 MN. For its time, the Falcon 9 v1.0 was already a fairly powerful medium-lift vehicle: ~55 m high and capable of launching ~9 tons of cargo into low orbit. However, over the next decade and a half, the rocket has grown significantly in size, power, and capabilities.
Key improvements to the Falcon 9 from 2010 to 2025:
Increase in size and power. The Falcon 9 v1.1 (2013) was longer (~68 m) and 60% more powerful than the original. The engines were upgraded to Merlin 1D, arranged in a new “octagonal” configuration (in a circle), which increased the total thrust at launch to ~5.9 MN. Subsequent upgrades (Full Thrust version in 2015) included supercooled propellants (liquid oxygen and kerosene), which allowed for more fuel to be poured into the tanks and further increase performance. The modern Falcon 9 Block 5 has a height of ~70 m and a launch thrust of about 7.6 MN, almost twice as much as the first version. The payload has also more than doubled – from ~9 tons to 22.8 tons to low orbit (in the case of a launch without a stage return).
Introduction of reusability. The most revolutionary change was the ability to reuse the first stage. The first modifications of the Falcon 9 were launched as disposable – all stages burned or fell into the ocean. However, in December 2015, SpaceX made the first-ever controlled vertical landing of a spent first stage after an orbital launch. For this purpose, the rockets were equipped with folding legs and lattice steering wheels, and the engines were trained to perform re-entry and landing maneuvers. Starting with the Full Thrust version, all Falcon 9s are equipped with such reentry systems. The current version of Block 5 has improved titanium lattice rudders (resistant to heat) and heat protection on the tail section, which reduces damage from overheating during descent. The reuse of the booster has become the Falcon 9’s hallmark: as of 2025, SpaceX has successfully landed the first stages 454 times, and some individual boosters have completed more than 20 flights each! For the first time in history, launch vehicles have a service life similar to airplanes. This made it possible to dramatically increase the rate of launches and reduce costs.
Improved reliability and safety. In 15 years, Falcon 9 has gone from a new, untested system to the most reliable rocket in the United States. The first few dozen Falcon 9 launches went almost flawlessly, although there were some incidents: in 2012, one of the engines exploded during flight (CRS-1 mission) – the main payload was delivered, but a small satellite was not placed into the target orbit. In June 2015, the v1.1 rocket suffered its first accident (CRS-7 mission failure) due to the destruction of the helium tank mount. And in 2016, an explosion occurred before launch (Amos-6 test). These failures were lessons learned – SpaceX finalized the design (in particular, improved the high-pressure cylinders in the second stage tanks) and refueling procedures. Since the end of 2016, the Falcon 9 has been flying without serious accidents until 2023, demonstrating exceptional stability. As of mid-2025, the Falcon 9 family has completed 509 launches with a 99.4% success rate – only 2 full launch failures, 1 prelaunch failure, and 1 partial failure. The latest Block 5 modification has a success rate of ~99.8% (441 successful launches out of 442), which is a market record. Thus, Falcon 9 has earned a reputation as an extremely reliable rocket.
Economic efficiency. From the very beginning, SpaceX aimed to reduce the cost of space launches. In 2010, the announced price of a Falcon 9 launch was about $50 million, which was already less than that of competitors. Over the years, the cost of launching has increased slightly (to about $70 million in 2024), but the cost per kilogram of cargo has decreased, as the rocket’s payload has doubled. In addition, the introduction of reusable stages has significantly reduced the cost of launches. Reusing the first stage, which accounts for most of the costs, saves money. According to estimates, a launch on a rocket with a used accelerator that has already been in flight costs customers about 30-40% less than a new one. This cost-effectiveness has allowed SpaceX to win more and more commercial orders and contracts from government agencies.
Modern version: Falcon 9 Block 5
As of 2025, the Falcon 9 Block 5 version, the pinnacle of this rocket’s evolution, is in service. It was first launched in May 2018 and has been used for all Falcon 9 launches since then. Block 5 has incorporated all the experience of previous years and has been specially modified for reusability and the requirements of the most important missions. The first stages of Block 5 are designed for at least 10 flights without major repairs (only with technical inspections between launches) and up to 100 flights with periodic parts upgrades. By comparison, previous versions usually flew no more than twice due to the need for modernization. Therefore, Block 5 has brought the Falcon 9 reusability program to its practical maximum – individual units have already flown successfully 28 times, which doubles the initially planned service life of 10 launches.
Image: SpaceX
Technical features of Block 5. Externally, it is recognizable by its black elements: the interstage adapter and the first stage supports are covered with a black heat shielding layer. The Merlin 1D engines have been upgraded to the Merlin 1D+ version, with an increase in thrust of approximately 8% compared to their predecessors. The heat shielding materials in the tail section of the stage (engine area) have been improved to withstand the intense heat load during reentry. Such measures have made reusable flights more reliable and faster to prepare: the time for servicing the returned booster has been significantly reduced. SpaceX notes that Block 5 is the quintessence of all reusability developments and at the same time a “reliability upgrade” of the rocket. This version is also certified for launching NASA astronauts, so each of its elements meets increased safety requirements and system redundancy. In May 2020, the Falcon 9 Block 5 was used to launch people on the Crew Dragon commercial spacecraft for the first time in history (Demo-2 mission) – the Falcon 9 became the first private rocket to send people into orbit.
Excellent performance. The Falcon 9 has set several records in recent years. In 2022, it made 60 successful launches in one year, breaking the record of the Soviet Soyuz rocket (47 launches in 1979). And in 2024, SpaceX broke its record: 134 Falcon 9 launches (133 successful) during the year, more than half of all orbital launches in the world that year! This pace was made possible thanks to the rapid preparation of reusable stages and the reliability of the rocket. The Falcon 9 Block 5 is now a kind of “shuttle bus” to space – it regularly launches Starlink satellites, spacecraft for customers from around the world, Dragon cargo ships, and also delivers NASA astronauts and private tourists to the ISS. Thanks to a combination of high reliability and frequent launches, the Falcon 9 has become the most frequently launched American orbital rocket in history.
Persistence and development are the keys to success
The history of Falcon 9 development demonstrates that persistent engineering improvements lead to outstanding results. In the early 2010s, many people were skeptical about the idea of vertical rocket landing and rapid reuse – such plans were considered fantastic. It took SpaceX several years of experimentation (failed ocean landings in 2013-2014, an explosion during the landing on the platform in 2015) before it succeeded. But within a few years of the first successful landing in 2015, the company had made the process routine. Today, each Falcon 9 launch is accompanied by an automatic return of the first stage to the ground or an offshore platform, which delights the public and saves millions of dollars. The persistence of SpaceX engineers has helped overcome early failures (such as the 2015-2016 accidents) and make the rocket more reliable – Falcon 9 has an almost flawless launch record in recent years.
The success of the Falcon 9 has brought SpaceX worldwide recognition. The rocket has been certified by the US Air Force for launching military satellites and trusted by NASA for the most critical missions – from delivering cargo to the ISS since 2012 to launching astronauts since 2020. NASA has awarded the Falcon 9 the highest reliability category (Category 3), which allows it to launch the most expensive and important scientific vehicles. Elon Musk’s company has changed the market: Falcon 9 has made launches cheaper, more frequent, and more reliable, setting a new standard for the space industry.
Now, in 2025, looking back at 15 years of Falcon 9 development, we can confidently say that the constant striving for the best has paid off. The rocket, which began as a relatively small carrier with ambitious goals, has become the main “workforce” of orbital launches. The persistence of engineers and the boldness of decisions (such as the bet on reusability) have made the Falcon 9 a symbol of success in space. This story is inspiring: the gradual development of technology and the ability to learn from mistakes can lead to revolutionary changes and universal recognition. The Falcon 9 paved the way for a new era when rockets are reusable and spaceflight becomes commonplace. This is a vivid example of how persistent development leads to success and recognition.
Comparing the Falcon 9 of 2010 and the Falcon 9 of 2025, we see striking progress in all aspects – from technical characteristics to launch statistics. In 15 years, the rocket has become taller, stronger, “smarter” and more reusable. Its successes have convinced the global community of the effectiveness of new approaches. And although the story of Falcon 9 is still ongoing, today it is rightfully considered a game-changer in space exploration.
