Falcon 1 User's Guide Rev 7

User Manual:

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1. INTRODUCTION
2. FALCON 1 LAUNCH VEHICLES
3. REQUIREMENTS & ENVIRONMENTS
4. FACILITIES
5. LAUNCH OPERATIONS
- 5.1. LAUNCH CONTROL ORGANIZATION
- 5.2. MISSION INTEGRATION
6. SAFETY
7. PAYLOAD QUESTIONNAIRE
8. QUICK REFERENCE

Falcon 1 Launch Vehicle

Payload User’s Guide

Rev 7

TABLEOFCONTENTS

1.Introduction 4

1.1.RevisionHistory4

1.2.Purpose6

1.3.CompanyDescription6

1.4.FalconProgramOverview6

1.5.MissionManagement7

2.Falcon1LaunchVehicles 8

2.1.Overview8

2.1.1.Falcon19

2.1.2.Falcon1e11

2.2.Availability12

2.3.Reliability13

2.4.Performance15

2.5.Pricing16

2.6.StandardServices16

2.7.Non‐standardServices16

2.8.VehicleAxes/AttitudeDefinitions17

3.Requirements&Environments 18

3.1.MassProperties18

3.2.PayloadInterfaces19

3.2.1.FalconPayloadAttachFittings19

3.2.2.TestFittingsandFitcheckPolicy19

3.2.3.ElectricalDesignCriteria19

3.3.DocumentationRequirements21

3.4.PayloadEnvironments23

3.4.1.TransportationEnvironments23

3.4.2.Humidity,CleanlinessandThermalControl23

3.4.3.PayloadAirConditioning24

3.4.4.LaunchandFlightEnvironments24

4.Facilities 32

4.1.Headquarters–Hawthorne,California32

4.2.Washington,DC32

4.3.TestFacility‐CentralTexas32

4.4.LaunchSite–KwajaleinAtoll33

4.4.1.ProcessingServicesandEquipment33

5.LaunchOperations 36

5.1.LaunchControlOrganization36

5.2.MissionIntegration37

5.2.1.PayloadTransporttoLaunchSite38

5.2.2.PayloadIntegration38

5.2.3.ExampleFlightProfiles41

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6.Safety 42

6.1.SafetyRequirements42

6.2.HazardousSystemsandOperations42

6.3.Waivers42

7.PayloadQuestionnaire 43

8.QuickReference 44

8.1.ListofFigures44

8.2.ListofTables44

8.3.ListofAcronyms45

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. REVISIONHISTORY

Revision7,publishedinMay2008,containssignificantupdates,revisionsandorganizationalchanges.Notethat

Falcon1eisnowplannedforflightsinQ22010andlater.Thefollowingtablesprovidefurtherinformationon

notablechangesinthisversion.



Table1‐1mapskeyorganizationalchangesbetweenRevision6andRevision7.Table1‐2providesalistoftables

andfiguresthathavebeenupdatedinRevision7.



TABLE1‐1:ORGANIZATIONALCHANGESTOFALCON1USER'SGUIDE

PreviousVersion(Revision6)CurrentVersion (Revision7)

1.6.1Availability2.2Availability

1.6.2Reliability2.3Reliability

1.6.3Pricing2.5Pricing

2.VehicleOverview2.Falcon1LaunchVehicles

2.2Guidance,ControlandNavigationSystem2.1.1.3Guidance,NavigationandControl

2.3VehicleAxes/AttitudeDefinitions2.8VehicleAxes/AttitudeDefinitions

3.FacilitiesOverview4.Facilities

3.1.1WesternRange:VandenbergAirForceBaseremoved1

3.1.3EasternRange:CapeCanaveralAirForceStationremoved1

3.2OtherFacilities4.1,4.2,and4.3

4.PerformanceCapability2.4Performance

4.2SampleMissionProfile5.2.3ExampleFlightProfiles

4.3MassProperties3.1MassProperties

4.4MissionAccuracyData2.1.1.7MissionAccuracy

5.1PayloadFairingscontainedwithinSection2.Falcon1LaunchVehicles

5.1.3.1PayloadSeparation2.1.1.5PayloadSeparation

5.1.3.2CollisionAvoidance2.1.1.6CollisionAvoidance

5.2PayloadEnvironments3.4Environments&Requirements

5.3.4StandardServices2.6StandardServices

5.3.5Non‐StandardServices2.7Non‐StandardServices

6.LaunchOperations5.LaunchOperations

7.Safety6.Safety

8.PayloadQuestionnaire7.PayloadQuestionnaire

9.QuickReference8.QuickReference



1 Inthefuture,SpaceXintendstoofferadditionallaunchsites,howevertherearenofirmplansatthistime.Further,SpaceXis

willingtolaunchfromanylocationcustomerschose,providedthebusinesscaseforestablishingtherequestedlaunchsite

exists.Toinquireaboutperformancefromaspecificlaunchsite,pleasecontactSpaceX.

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TABLE1‐2:UPDATEDTABLESANDFIGURES

PreviousVersion(Revision6)CurrentVersion (Revision7)

Table2‐1:Falcon1LaunchVehicleFamily

Characteristics

Table2‐1:Falcon1LaunchVehicleFamily

Characteristics

Figure3‐2:OmelekHangarLayoutFigure4‐4:OmelekHangarLayout

Figure4‐1:Falcon1&1eDirectandTwo‐burn

Performance,to9.1°InclinationfromKwajalein

Figure2‐3:Falcon1&1eDirect&Two‐Burn

Performance,to9.1°Inclination

Figure4‐2:Falcon1&1eTwo‐burnPerformanceto

LEOfromKwajalein

Figure2‐4:Falcon1&1eTwo‐BurntoLEO

Figure4‐3:Falcon1&1eDirectandTwo‐burn

PerformancetoSunSynchronousOrbitfromVAFB

containedin Figure2‐4

Table4‐1:LaunchVehicleMassPropertyLimitations Table3‐1:LaunchVehicleMassPropertyLimitations

Figure5‐1:Falcon1StandardFairingandDynamic

Envelope

Figure2‐1Falcon1StandardFairingandDynamic

Envelope

Figure5‐2:Falcon1eStandardFairingandDynamic

Envelope

Figure2‐2Falcon1eStandardFairingandDynamic

Envelope

Figure5‐3:NominalSteadyStateAxialAcceleration

TimeHistoryforFalcon1

Figure3‐4ExampleSteadyStateAxialAcceleration

TimeHistoryforFalcon1

Falcon5‐4:Falcon1PayloadInterfaceRandom

Vibration

Figure3‐5Falcon1PayloadInterfaceRandom

Vibration

Table5‐5:Falcon1RandomVibrationPSDValues Table3‐6Falcon1RandomVibrationMaximum

PredictedEnvironmentPSDValues

Table5‐6:Falcon1PayloadAcousticEnvironment

Assumingnominal5cmacousticblankets

Table3‐7‐ Falcon1PayloadAcousticEnvironment

Assumingnominal5cmacousticblankets

Figure5‐6:SoundPressureLevel(SPL)spectrafor

Falcon1assuming2inchacousticblankets

Figure3‐7SoundPressureLevel(SPL)spectrafor

Falcon1assuming2inchacousticblankets

Figure5‐9:Falcon1ElectricalInterfacetoPayload

RemoteLaunchCenters,Blockhouse‐to‐Spacecraft

Wiring

Figure3‐3:Falcon1ElectricalInterfacetoPayload

RemoteLaunchCenters,Blockhouse‐to‐Spacecraft

Wiring

Table6‐2:ServicesandEquipmentforSatellite

Processing

Table4‐1:ServicesandEquipmentforSatellite

Processing

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1.2. PURPOSE

TheFalcon1User’sGuideisaplanningdocumentprovidedforpotentialandcurrentcustomersofSpaceX.This

documentisnotintendedfordetaileddesignuse.Datafordetaileddesignpurposeswillbeexchangeddirectly

betweenaSpaceXMissionManagerandthePayloadProvider.

1.3. COMPANYDESCRIPTION

Inanerawhenmosttechnology‐basedproductsfollowapathofever‐increasingcapabilityandreliabilitywhile

simultaneouslyreducingcosts,launchvehiclestodayarelittlechangedfromthoseof40yearsago.SpaceXis

changingthisparadigmbydevelopingandmanufacturingafamilyoflaunchvehiclesthatwillultimatelyreducethe

costandincreasethereliabilityofaccesstospacebyafactoroften.



SpaceXwasfoundedwiththephilosophythatsimplicity,reliabilityandlow‐costarecloselycoupled.Thus,we

approachallelementsoflaunchserviceswithafocusonsimplicitytobothincreasereliabilityandlowercost.The

SpaceXcorporatestructureisflatandourbusinessprocessesarelean,whichresultsinfastdecisionmakingand

delivery.Productsaredesignedtorequirelow‐infrastructurefacilities(productionandlaunch)withlow

maintenanceoverhead.Vehicledesignteamsareco‐locatedwithproductionandqualityassurancestafftotighten

thiscriticalfeedbackloop,resultinginhighlyproducibleandlowcostdesignswithqualityembedded.Tobetter

understandhowSpaceXcanachievelowcostwithoutsacrificingreliability;pleaseseetheFrequentlyAsked

Questions2sectionoftheCompanypageontheSpaceXwebsite.



Establishedin2002byElonMusk,thefounderofPayPalandtheZip2Corporation,SpaceXhasalreadydeveloped

andlaunchedalightliftlaunchvehicle‐‐Falcon1,nearlycompleteddevelopmentoftheFalcon9,anddeveloped

stateofthearttestingandlaunchlocations.Ourdesignandmanufacturingfacilitiesareconvenientlylocatednear

theLosAngelesInternational(LAX)airport.Thislocationallowsustoleveragethedeepandrichaerospacetalent

poolavailableinSouthernCalifornia.Ourstateoftheartpropulsionandstructuraltestfacilitiesarelocatedin

CentralTexas.



SpaceXhasbuiltanimpressivelaunchmanifestthatincludesabroadarrayofcommercial,government,and

internationalsatellitemissions.ItisalsobolsteredbyaNASALaunchServices(NLS)contractandselectionto

demonstratedeliveryandreturnofcargototheInternationalSpaceStationforNASA’sCommercialOrbital

TransportationServices(COTS)program.Basedonthesecontracts,SpaceXisonsoundfinancialfooting.

1.4. FALCONPROGRAMOVERVIEW

Drawinguponarichhistoryofpriorlaunchvehicleandengineprograms,SpaceXisprivatelydevelopingtheFalcon

familyofrocketsfromthegroundup,includingmainandupperstageengines,thecryogenictankstructure,

avionics,guidance&controlsoftwareandgroundsupportequipment.



WiththeFalcon1,Falcon1e,Falcon9andFalcon9Heavylaunchvehicles,SpaceXisabletodeliverspacecraftinto

anyinclinationandaltitude,fromlowEarthorbit(LEO)togeosynchronousorbit(GEO)toplanetarymissions.The

Falcon9andFalcon9HeavyaretheonlyUSlaunchvehicleswithtrueengineoutreliability.Theyarealso

designedsuchthatallstagesmaybereusable.OurDragoncrewandcargocapsule,currentlyunderdevelopment,

willrevolutionizeaccesstospacebyprovidingefficientandreliabletransportofcrewandcargototheISSand

otherLEOdestinations.





2http://www.spacex.com/company.php#frequently_asked_questions

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1.5. MISSIONMANAGEMENT

Tofacilitateandstreamlinecommunication,eachcustomerworkswithasinglepointofcontactatSpaceX.The

MissionManagerworkscloselywiththecustomer,SpaceXtechnicalexecutionstaffandallassociatedlicensing

agenciesinordertoachieveasuccessfulmission,andisresponsibleforcoordinatingmissionintegrationanalysis

anddocumentationdeliverables,planningintegrationmeetingsandreportsandcoordinatingallintegrationand

testactivitiesassociatedwiththemission.



Duringthelaunchcampaign,theMissionManagerwillalsofacilitatecustomerinsightintothelaunchoperations.

ThoughthelaunchoperationsteamisultimatelyresponsibleforcustomerhardwareandassociatedGround

SupportEquipment(GSE),theMissionManagerwillcoordinatealllaunchsiteactivitiestoensurecustomer

satisfactionduringthiscriticalphase.

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2. FALCON1LAUNCHVEHICLES

2.1. OVERVIEW

Falcon1LaunchVehiclesaredesignedtoprovidebreakthroughadvancesinreliability,cost,andtimetolaunch.

Theprimarydesigndriverisandwillremainreliability.SpaceXrecognizesthatnothingismoreimportantthan

gettingourcustomer’sspacecraftsafelytoitsintendeddestination.



TheFalcon1LaunchVehicleFamilyincludestheFalcon1andanenhancedversion,Falcon1e.ThestandardFalcon

1isavailableuntilmid‐2010,uponwhichtimetheFalcon1ewillbecomethevehiclefortransportingsmall

payloads.



Table2‐1offersaside‐by‐sidecomparisonofFalcon1andFalcon1e.



Forclarification,inthisdocumentthephrases‘Falcon1LaunchVehicles’and‘Falcon1LaunchVehicleFamily’refer

inclusivelytobothFalcon1andFalcon1e.However,thetitles‘Falcon1‘and‘Falcon1e’refertotherespective

vehiclesonly.

TABLE2‐1:FALCON1LAUNCHVEHICLEFAMILYCOMPARISONCHART

Falcon1e‐Stage1

(2010+)

Falcon1‐Stage1

(2006‐2010)

Stage2‐common



Length 90feet70feet(bothstageswithfairing&interstage)

Diameter5.5feet5.5feetStage5.5feet;Fairing5feet

DryMass5680lb3000lb1200lb

UsablePropellantMass87000lb47380lb8900lb

FairingCompositeogive:

300lb(approximate)

Aluminumskin&stringer,biconic:320lb

StructureTypeMonocoqueMonocoqueMonocoque

MaterialAluminumAluminumAluminum‐Lithium

EngineLiquid,

Pressurefedongas

generatorcycle

Liquid,

Pressurefedongas

generatorcycle

Liquid,

Pressurefed

EngineDesignationMerlin1C Merlin1CKestrel2

NumberofEngines111

PropellantLOX/KeroseneLOX/KeroseneLOX/Kerosene

Thrust125klbf(SL)78klbf(SL)6.9klbf(vac)

ISP(vac)304s300s317s

PropellantFeedSystemTurbo‐pumpTurbo‐pumpPressure‐fed

RestartCapabilityNoNoYes

TankPressurizationHeatedHeliumHeatedHeliumHeatedHelium

AttitudeControl:

Pitch,Yaw

HydraulicTVCHydraulicTVCElectro‐mechanicalActuatorTVC

AttitudeControl:RollTurbo‐pumpexhaustTurbo‐pumpexhaustColdgasthrusters

NominalBurnTime169s169s418s

ShutdownProcessBurntodepletionBurntodepletionPredeterminedvelocity

StageSeparationExplosiveboltswith

pneumaticpushers

Explosiveboltswith

pneumaticpushers

Marmonclampwithpneumatic

pushers

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Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|9

2.1.1. FALCON1

Falcon1isatwo‐stage,liquidoxygen(LOX)androcketgradekerosene(RP‐1)poweredlaunchvehicle.Itis

designedfromthegroundupforcostefficientandreliabletransportofsatellitestolowEarthorbit.

2.1.1.1. FIRSTSTAGE

Theprimarystructureismadeofaspacegradealuminumalloyinapatentpending,graduatedmonocoque,

commonbulkhead,flightpressurestabilizedarchitecturedevelopedbySpaceX.Thedesignisablendbetweena

fullypressurestabilizeddesign,suchasAtlasIIandaheavierisogriddesign,suchasDeltaII.Asaresult,wehave

beenabletocapturethemassefficiencyofpressurestabilization,butavoidthegroundhandlingdifficultiesofa

structureunabletosupportitsownweight.



AsingleSpaceXMerlinenginepowerstheFalcon1firststage.Afterenginestart,Falcon1ishelddownuntilall

vehiclesystemsareverifiedtobefunctioningnormallybeforereleaseforliftoff.



Heliumtankpressurizationisprovidedbycompositeover‐wrappedinconeltanksfromArdeCorporation,thesame

modelusedinBoeing’sDeltaIVrocket.



Stageseparationoccursviadualinitiatedseparationboltsandapneumaticpushersystem.Allcomponentsare

spacequalifiedandhaveflownbeforeonotherlaunchvehicles.



Thefirststagereturnsbyparachutetoawaterlanding,whereitispickedupbyshipinaproceduresimilartothat

oftheSpaceShuttlesolidrocketboosters.TheparachuterecoverysystemisbuiltforSpaceXbyAirborneSystems

Corporation,whoalsobuildstheShuttleboosterrecoverysystem.

2.1.1.2. SECONDSTAGE

Thesecondstagetankstructureismadeofaluminum‐lithium,analloypossessingthehigheststrengthtoweight

ratioofanyaluminumandcurrentlyusedbytheSpaceShuttleExternalTank.Althoughweintendtocontinue

researchingalternativesinthelongterm,forthisparticularapplicationithasthelowesttotalsystemmassforany

materialwehaveexamined,includingliquidoxygencompatiblesuper‐alloysandcomposites.



Thetanksareprecisionmachinedfromthickplatewithintegralflangesandports,minimizingthenumberofwelds

necessary.Themajorcircumferentialweldsarealldonebyanautomatedweldingmachine,reducingthepotential

forerrorandensuringconsistentquality.

2.1.1.3. GUIDANCE,NAVIGATIONANDCONTROL

TheGuidance,NavigationandControl(GNC)SystemincludesaruggedizedflightcomputerandanInertial

MeasurementUnit(IMU).TheflightcomputerisaPC/104basedPentiumclass586(Geode)withanalogand

digitalinputandoutput.Itprovidesaninterfacetothepayloadonthegroundandtheenginecomputer(onthe

firststage)inflightviaEthernet.AGPSreceiverisflownfornavigationupdates,supportingtheIMU.TheGNC

systemalsoincludesanS‐bandtelemetrysystem,anS‐Bandvideodownlink,aC‐Bandtransponder,abang‐bang

controllerfortankpressureregulation,batteriesandpowerdistribution.

2.1.1.4. FAIRING

Thelaunchvehiclewillprovideasignaltothepayloadatseparationtoinitiatepayloadpower‐up.Alternate

configurationsforseparationsignals(break‐wires,separationswitchesmonitoreddirectlybythepayload,orother

configurations)canbeaccommodatedasoptions.

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A0.2m(8in)diameteraccessdoorisincludedinthefairingforcontingencypurposesonly.Undernominal

operatingconditions,allprocessingthatrequiresaccesstothepayloadmustbecompletedpriortofairing

installation.TheFalcon1fairingis1.54mindiameterandshownbelowinFigure2‐1:Falcon1StandardFairing

andDynamicEnvelope*,meters[inches].



SEPARATION

PLANE

FIGURE2‐1:FALCON1STANDARDFAIRINGANDDYNAMICENVELOPE*,METERS[INCHES]

*Dynamicenvelope(shownasPayloadVolumeabove)indicatesthevolumethatthespacecraftcanmovewithin.



2.1.1.5. PAYLOADSEPARATION

SpaceXisfamiliarwithmanypayloadseparationsystems,includingclampband,non‐explosiveattach‐bolt,and

Lightband®motorizedseparationsystems.Asastandardservice,SpaceXwilleithersupplyandintegratea38inch

(0.9652m)marmonbandpayloadseparationsystemorintegrateaseparationsystemchosenandprovidedbythe

PayloadProvider. Alternatively,asanon‐standardservice,SpaceXcanprocureaseparationsystemforthe

PayloadProvider.



Payloadseparationisatimedeventreferencedtothesecondstageburnout.Separationisinitiatednon‐

explosivelybyseparationspringsthatimpartseparationvelocity.Thesystemmaintainstipoffratesbelow1

degreepersecond.Oncethe2halvesofthesystemseparate,asignalissenttothepayloadusingeithera

breakwireormicroswitch.Ifthecustomerdesires,thepayloadcanbespunuptoapproximately6RPMat

separation.



Thelaunchvehiclewillprovideasignaltothepayloadatseparationtoinitiatepayloadpower‐up.Alternate

configurationsforseparationsignals(break‐wires,separationswitchesmonitoreddirectlybythepayload,orother

configurations)canbeaccommodatedasoptions.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|11

Almostanyattitudecanbeaccommodatedatseparation.However,itmaytakeupto15minutestoobtainsome

attitudespriortoseparation.Inaddition,multipleseparationscanbeachieved.Thesecondstageattitudeand

rateaccuraciesatseparationare:



• Roll ±2°

• Pitch/Yaw±0.5°

• Bodyrates±0.1°/sec/axis

2.1.1.6. COLLISIONAVOIDANCE

IfanalysisshowsaCollisionAvoidanceManeuver(CAM)isnecessary,aCAMwillbeprovidedasastandardservice.

TensecondspostpayloadseparationtheCAMwillbeperformedusingtheheatedheliumpressurantandtheRCS

thrusters.Thethrustersaretiltedforwardby20°andpositionedtominimizegasimpingementonthespacecraft

whilestillprovidingadequateseparation.

2.1.1.7. MISSIONACCURACY

Asaliquidpropellantvehiclewithre‐startcapability,Falcon1LaunchVehiclesprovideflexibilityrequiredfor

payloadinsertionintoorbitwithhighereccentricityandfordeployingmultiplepayloadsintoslightlydifferent

orbits.Untilverifiedbyactualoperations,SpaceXexpectstoachievethefollowingminimumtargetorbital

insertionaccuracy:



• Inclination±0.1°

• Perigee ±5km

• Apogee ±15km



2.1.2. FALCON1e

BeginninginQ22010,Falcon1ewillofferenhancedperformancecapabilitiesbymakinguseofthefullcapacity

andperformanceofanupgradedMerlinengine.Falcon1ewillhaveanextendedfirststagetanktosupportthe

propellantconsumptionneedsofthisenginewhilealsobeingstrengthenedtodealwiththelargeraxialloads.In

addition,Falcon1ewillhavealarger,lighter1.7mfairing.Thedesignisacompositeogiveversusthestandard

aluminumskinandstringerdesign.



TheenhancedfairingfortheFalcon1eisshownbelowinFigure2‐2.Twoaccessdoorsareprovidedasastandard

service.

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Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|12



SEPARATIONPLANE

FIGURE2‐2:FALCON1eSTANDARDFAIRINGANDDYNAMICENVELOPE*,METERS[INCHES]

*Dynamicenvelope(shownasPayloadVolumeabove)indicatesthevolumethatthespacecraftcanmovewithin.



2.2. AVAILABILITY

Falconhasthehighestpredictedlaunchavailabilityofanycurrentvehicle.Asevidencedbyourmanifest,thereisa

strongmarketforFalcon1LaunchVehicles.Thisallowsforvehicleproductionoperationsratherthanbuildingone

atatimeonaperorderbasis.SpaceXproductionsupportsmanylaunchesperyearincludingsparehardware.



Highavailabilityisalsofacilitatedbyrigorousdesignmarginsresultinginrobustnesstowindandotherweather

conditions.SpaceX’sabilitytolaunchrapidlyalsosupportshighavailability.Oureighteen‐daylaunchcampaign,

shortcountdownsequenceandrobustnesstoweathersupportlowinterferencewithrangescheduling.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|13

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2.3. RELIABILITY

Thevastmajorityoflaunchvehiclefailuresinthepasttwodecadescanbeattributedtothreecauses:engine,

avionicsandstageseparationfailures.AnanalysisbyAerospaceCorporation3showedthat91%ofknownfailures

canbeattributedtothosesubsystems.



Withthisinmind,Falcon1LaunchVehiclesaredesignedtohaverobustpropulsionsystemsandtheminimum

numberofseparationevents:Merlin1Cisaman‐ratedenginewithhighstructuralmarginsandahighlyreliable,

redundantignitionsystem,andFalcon1isatwostagevehiclewhichminimizesseparationevents.Similarlywith

thevehicleavionicssystem,SpaceXhasgonetheextramileinbuildingastate‐of‐the‐artsystemusing21stcentury

electronicsthatwillfeedforwardintolargervehicledevelopmentsfollowingFalcon1.



Falcon1LaunchVehiclesaredesignedforhighreliabilitystartingatthearchitecturallevel.Manydesignchoices

weremadetoensurereliabilitywasnotcompromised.Thesechoicesinclude:



• ROBUSTSTRUCTURALDESIGNMARGINS

Thefirststageisdesignedtoberecoveredandreused,andtherefore,musthavesignificantlyhigher

marginsthananexpendablestage.Todate,wehavetakenaflightfirststagethroughover190cryogenic

pressurecycleswithnoevidenceoffatigue.



• PROPULSIONANDSEPARATIONEVENTDESIGN

Propulsionandseparationeventsaretheprimarycausesoffailuresinlaunchvehicles.Therefore,we

havedesignedFalcon1withtheminimumnumberofengines,inserial,requiredforthemission:onlyone

engineperstageandonlyoneenginethatisstartedoutsideofoperatorcontrol.Wehavealsominimized

thenumberofstages(2)tominimizeseparationevents.Inaddition,asapartofourlaunchoperations,

weholddownthefirststageafterignition,butpriortoreleasetowatchenginetrends.Ifanoff‐nominal

conditionexists,thenanautonomousabortisconducted.Thishelpspreventanengineperformance

issuefromcausingafailureinflight.



• PUMP‐FEDPROPULSION

Althoughapressure‐fedsystemhasthefewestnumberofparts,itreliesoncryogenictankstructuresand

technologythathaveneverbeenproveninfullscaletesting.Therefore,thetradewasmadethatthefirst

stageshouldbepump‐fed,butwiththesimplestpossibleturbopumpdesign:asingleshaftforboththe

LOXandRP,agasgeneratorcycleversusthemorecomplexstagedcombustionandfinally,anablative

chamber.Inaddition,thepintleinjectorwasselectedforbothenginestagesforitsinherentcombustion

stability.



• ETHERNETBACKBONE

SpaceXeliminatedthedesignandintegrationcomplexityandopportunityforhumanerrorassociated

withlargeserialcablebundleswiththeuseoftheEthernetbus.



• FAILUREMODEMINIMIZATION

SpaceXminimizedthenumberoffailuremodesbyminimizingthenumberofseparatesubsystems.Our

firststagethrustvectorcontrol(TVC)systemmakesuseofthepressurizedfuel,rocket‐gradekerosene

(RP‐1),throughalinetappedoffofthehighpressureRPsideofthepumptopowertheTVC.This

eliminatestheseparatehydraulicsystem.Inadditioniteliminatesthefailuremodeassociatedwith

runningoutofpressurizedfluid.Anotherexampleisthefirststagerollcontrolsystem—aredundant

gimbalactuatestheexhaustgasforrollcontrol,again,eliminatingaseparatesystem.





3http://www.aero.org/publications/crosslink/winter2001/03.html.Ahardcopyofthisreferencecanbemadeavailableupon

request.

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• RIGOROUSTESTING

Inadditiontothesedesigndecisions,Falcon1willundergoanexhaustiveseriesoftestsfromthe

componenttothevehiclesystemlevel.Thisincludescomponentlevelqualificationandworkmanship

testing,structuresloadandprooftesting,flightsystemandpropulsionsubsystemleveltesting,fullfirst

andsecondstagetestinguptofullsystemtesting,includinga5secondstaticfiring.Inadditiontotesting

environmentalextremes(plusmargin),allhardwaremustbetestedtoaccountforoffnominalconditions.

Forexample,bothourstageandfairingseparationtestsrequiretestingforoff‐nominalcaseswithrespect

togeometricalmisalignment,anomalouspyrotechnictimingandsequencing.



• LAUNCHOPERATIONS

Amajorcontributortoareliablesystemisitsoperations.Tosupportrobustlaunchoperations,our

countdownisfullyautomatedwiththousandsofchecksmadepriortovehiclerelease.Afterfirststage

ignition,thevehicleisnotreleaseduntilthefirststageengineisconfirmedtobeoperatingnormally.A

safeshutdownisexecutedshouldanyoffnominalconditionsbedetected.Falcon1designandour

operationscrewcanaccommodateveryrapidrecycletorecoverdependinguponthecauseoftheabort.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|15

2.4. PERFORMANCE

TheFalcon1LaunchVehicleFamilyincludestheFalcon1andanenhancedversion,Falcon1e.BeginninginQ2

2010,Falcon1ewillofferenhancedperformancecapabilitiesandpayloadvolume.

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

2400

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Payload Mass (lbm)

Payload Mass (kg)

Orbit Altitude (km

)

Falcon 1e - Two Burn Insertion Falcon 1 - Two Burn Insertion

Falcon 1e - Direct Insertion Falcon 1 - Direct Insertion

F1E87 200SBM0 NB 02/14/08

REVDP 100SBM0 NB 02/14/08



FIGURE2‐3:FALCON1&1eDIRECT&TWO‐BURNPERFORMANCETO9.1°INCLINATION



200

400

600

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1000

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1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

2400

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

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0 20406080100

Payload Mass (lbm)

Payload Mass (kg)

Inclination (deg)

Falcon 1e - 185 km Falcon 1 - 185 km

Falcon 1e - 300 km Falcon 1 - 300 km

Falcon 1e - 500 km Falcon 1 - 500 km

Falcon 1e - 700 km Falcon 1 - 700 km

F1E87 200SBM0 NB 02/14/08

REVDP 100SBM0 NB 02/14/08



FIGURE2‐4:FALCON1&1eTWO‐BURNPERFORMANCETOLEO



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7



Page|16

PricingandPerformance

2.5. PRICING

ThestandardpriceperlaunchforFalcon1LaunchVehiclescanbefoundinthe4section

oftheFalcon1pageontheSpaceXwebsite.Thispricingincludesrange,standardpayloadintegrationandthird

partyliabilityinsurance.Pleaseseebelowforadescriptionofthestandardservicesandexamplenon‐standard

services.Ifnonstandardservicesarerequired,pleaseidentifytheseinthePayloadQuestionnairefoundinSection

ofthisGuide.7

2.6. STANDARDSERVICES

Aspartofanystandardlaunchservice,SpaceXprovidesthefollowing:

• Launchofthepayloadintothespecifiedorbitwithinthespecifiedenvironmentalconstraints

• Personnel,services,hardware,equipment,documentation,reviews,analysesandfacilitiesnecessaryto

supportmissionplanning,launcherproduction,missionandpayloadintegrationandlaunch

• Asingleflightsetofelectricalconnectors

• Class100Kcleanroomintegrationspaceforthespacecraftpriortothescheduledlaunchdateonthe

launchrangewithadditionalfloorspaceforGSEandpersonnel

• Processing,integrationandencapsulationofthepayloadwithinthefairing,testingofelectricalandsignal

interfaceswiththespacecraftatthelaunchsite

• Conditionedairintothepayloadfairing

• Asimple,pyrotechnicmarmonclampseparationsystem

• OneaccessdoorintheFalcon1payloadfairingor2intheFalcon1epayloadfairing

• AMissionSimulationTestexercisingoperationalreadiness,vehicleequipmentandgroundsystems

• AMissionDressRehearsalsimilartothemissionsimulationtestforkeylaunchteammembers

• Provisionofallrangeandsafetyinterfacesincludingrequirementsdocumenttemplatesforthespacecraft

providertocomplete

• Facilitationofrangeandrangesafetyintegrationprocess

• Collisionavoidanceanalysisandmaneuver(asrequired)

• Post‐flightanalysistoverifysuccessfulseparationfromthelaunchvehicleandidentificationofthe

spacecraftorbit

• Provisionofpost‐flightlaunchservices,includingdeliveryofthePostFlightReport,whichshallinclude

payloadseparationconfirmation,ephemeris,payloadenvironment,significanteventsandanomalies

• GenerationofallmissionrequiredlicensingincludingFAAandStateDepartment,withinputfromthe

payloadcustomer

2.7. NON‐STANDARDSERVICES

• Modifyingthelocationorincreasingthequantityofthefairingaccessdoor(s).

• AdditionofaGN2purge

• Class10Kcleanroomprocessingandairinthefairing

• VisiblycleanLevel1

• Accommodationforspacecraftfuelinginpayloadprocessingfacility

• Non‐standardelectricalinterfaceservicesarenotedinFigure3‐3

• Othernon‐standardservicescanbeprovidedonacase‐by‐casebasis.



Formoreinformationorinquiriesaboutaspecificnon‐standardserviceyourequire,contactSpaceXor

includetheinformationinthePayloadQuestionnairefoundinSection7ofthisGuide.





4http://www.spacex.com/falcon1.php#pricing_and_performance

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2.8. VEHICLEAXES/ATTITUDEDEFINITIONS



FIGURE2‐5:FALCON1LAUNCHVEHICLELAYOUTANDCOORDINATESYSTEM(ALLSTATIONLOCATIONANDDIMENSIONUNITSARESHOWNININCHES)

Falcon1elayoutandcoordinatesystemdrawingsareinwork.Tobeaddedtothedistributionlistforimmediatenotificationofavailability,clickhere.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|18



3. REQUIREMENTS&ENVIRONMENTS

3.1. MASSPROPERTIES

ThePayloadProviderwillneedtoprovidetheCenterofGravitylocationwithin±¼inchinthePayload

QuestionnaireinSection7.Falcon1canreadilyaccommodatepayloadswiththefollowingmassproperties:

TABLE3‐1:LAUNCHVEHICLEMASSPROPERTYLIMITATIONS

Characteristic Value

MassUpto1010kg(2200lbs)

CGoffsetFromcenterlineFromseparationplane

SeeFigure3‐1 SeeFigure3‐2

StiffnessAxialLateral

>25Hz>25Hz

0.5

1.5

2.5

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Payload Weight(lb)

CGlOffset (In)



FIGURE3‐1:ALLOWABLECGOFFSETFROMCENTERLINE

100

120

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Payload Weight(lb)

CGOffset (In)



FIGURE3‐2:ALLOWABLECGOFFSETFROMSEPARATIONPLANE



Payloadswithlowernaturalfrequenciescanlikelybeaccommodated,butmayrequireanadditionalloadcycleand

enhancedguidancesoftware.



Falcon1emasspropertiesaretobedetermined,butwillbesimilartothoseofFalcon1.

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Page|19

3.2. PAYLOADINTERFACES

Thelaunchvehiclewillprovideasignaltothepayloadatseparationtoinitiatepayloadpower‐up.Alternate

configurationsforseparationsignals(break‐wires,separationswitchesmonitoreddirectlybythepayload,orother

configurations)canbeaccommodatedasoptions.



An8in(0.2m)diameteraccessdoorisincludedinthefairingforcontingencypurposesonly.Undernominal

operatingconditions,allprocessingthatrequiresaccesstothepayloadmustbecompletedpriortofairing

installation.



Payloadswithconsumablesmustincludetheabilitytode‐tankthroughthefairingaccessdoorwhileonthelaunch

pad.



3.2.1. FALCONPAYLOADATTACHFITTINGS

PayloadsinterfacewiththelaunchvehiclebymeansofaPayloadAttachFitting(PAF).Falcon1LaunchVehicles

offerastandardandmodifiablePAFtoaccommodatecustomerneeds.Themechanicalinterfaceforthestandard

serviceis38.81in(0.986m)boltcirclewith60attachpoints.



3.2.2. TESTFITTINGSANDFITCHECKPOLICY

Amechanicalfitcheck(includingelectricalconnectorlocations)maybeconductedwiththespacecraftora

representativespacecrafttemplateusingamechanicaltemplate.Thisistypicallydonepriortoshipmentofthe

spacecrafttothelaunchsite.SpaceXpersonnelwillbeavailabletoconductthisactivityattheSpaceXfacility.

SpecificrequirementsforthefitcheckwillbeworkedwiththeSpaceXMissionManagerduringtheintegration

process.

3.2.3. ELECTRICALDESIGNCRITERIA

TheelectricalinterfaceforgroundandflightoperationsisshowninFigure3‐3.Itispreferredthatthesatelliteis

poweredOFFduringlaunch.Ifthesatelliteison,itmaynottransmitandspecialprecautionsmustbetakento

eliminatethepotentialforinterference.



TheelectricalinterfaceprovidesflexibilityonthegroundthroughEthernetorpassthroughcables.TheEthernetis

asharedresourceandthepayloadshouldthereforenotsaturatethenetwork.Notethatthedistancebetween

MissionControlandthevehicleissignificantandthattheEthernetdatalineservesastheonlyconnectionbetween

MissionControlandthelaunchpad.



Forremotecontrolofbatterychargerslocatedatthelaunchpadandothergroundequipment,upto4relaysare

available(withamaximumloadof3Aat28V)throughthepadcomputer.



Grounding‐Thesatellitemountinginterfacemustbeconductive.Theelectricalresistancewillbeverifiedtobe

<0.1Ωpriortotheassemblyofthepayloadontotheseparationsystem.



Withthestandardinterface,theconnectortypesandpindesignationwillbedeterminedduringtheintegration

process.Asanoptionalservice,anenhancedtelemetrysystemcanbesupplied.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|20



FIGURE3‐3:FALCON1ELECTRICALINTERFACETOPAYLOADREMOTELAUNCHCENTERS,BLOCKHOUSE‐TO‐SPACECRAFTWIRING



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|21

3.3. DOCUMENTATIONREQUIREMENTS

Thefollowingtablesprovideanoverviewofstandardrequiredinformationanddocuments.Theselistsrepresent

minimumrequirementsandmaynotbeinclusive,dependingonthepayload.Inadditiontothefollowingspecific

documents,inputisrequiredtosupportdevelopmentoftheICD,launchcountdownprocedures,andtheLRR

package.

TABLE3‐2:REQUIREDDOCUMENTSFORALLPAYLOADS

ItemDescription

Payload

Questionnaire

ThePayloadQuestionnaire,Section7,isdesignedtoprovideinitialinformationaboutthePayloadto

SpaceXsothatmissionfeasibilitymaybeassessedandinitialrequirementsdefined.

Mathematical

Modelfor

Dynamic

Analysis

ApayloadmathematicalmodelisrequiredforuseinaCoupledLoadsAnalysis(CLA).Requiredmodel

informationsuchasspecificformat,degrees‐of‐freedomrequirementsandothernecessaryinformation

willbesuppliedaspartofthestandardmissionintegrationprocess.

Inputto

InterfaceControl

Document

TheInterfaceControlDocumentdescribesallmission‐specificrequirements.Whilethisdocumentis

generatedandconfigurationcontrolledbySpaceX,inputisrequiredfromtheCustomer.

Environmental

Statement

TheEnvironmentalstatementdefinesthePayloadProvider’sapproachforqualificationandacceptance

tests.Itshouldcontaingeneraltestphilosophy,testingtobeperformed,testobjectives,testspecimen

configuration,testmethodsandaschedule,butdoesnotneedtoincludeactualtestprocedures.

RadioFrequency

(RF)Applications

ThePayloadContractorisrequiredtospecifytheRFtransmittedbythePayloadduringgroundprocessing

andlaunchoperations.AnRFdatasheetspecifyingindividualfrequencies,namesandqualificationsof

personnelwhowilloperatePayloadRFsystems,transmissionfrequencybandwidths,frequencies,

radiateddurationsandwattagewillbeprovidedtoSpaceX.SpaceXwillprovidethisinformationtothe

appropriateagenciesforapproval.

LaunchVehicle

Insignia

Ifmission‐specificinsigniaistobeplacedonthelaunchvehicle,theCustomershouldsubmitthe

proposeddesignnotlaterthan5monthsbeforelaunchforreviewandapproval.Followingapproval,

SpaceXwillhavetheinsigniapreparedandplacedonthelaunchvehicle.



PayloadDesign

Overviewwith

Graphicsand

Models

AdescriptionofthePayloaddesignandassociatedgraphics,configurationdrawings,andsolidmodels

arerequiredasearlyaspossible.Thedrawingsshouldshowexpectedandmaximumdimensions.Any

solidmodelsshouldbedeliveredtoSpaceXinSTEPformat.Detailcanberemovedsolongasouter

dimensionsareaccurate.

LaunchSite

OperationsPlans

andProcedures

LaunchSiteOperationsPlansanddetailedproceduresmustbesubmittedsoSpaceXcanprovideall

governmentagencieswithadetailedunderstandingoflaunchsiteactivitiesandoperationsplannedfor

eachmission.Thedocumentshoulddescribeallaspectsoftheprogramtobeperformedatthelaunch

site.Operatingproceduresmustbesubmittedforalloperationsthatareaccomplishedatthelaunch

site.(Note:HazardousproceduresmustbeapprovedbyRangeSafety.)

Safety

Documentation

Safetydocumentationincludinghazardanalysesandreports,vehiclebreakupmodels(debrisdata)and

detaileddesignandtestinformationforallhazardoussystems(batteries,pressurizedsystemsorother

hazardousorsafetycriticalmaterials,propellantdata)mustbesubmitted.

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Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|22

TABLE3‐3:ADDITIONALREQUIREDDOCUMENTSFORNON‐USPAYLOADS

ItemDescription

Applicationfor

Payload

Determination

Non‐USPayloadsmustsubmitanApplicationforPayloadDetermination.

LaunchSite

VisitorDetails

Toobtainappropriatepermissions,SpaceXrequiresinformationforCustomerpersonnelthatwillvisitthe

launchsite.

LaunchSiteGSE

Details

DetailsonGroundSupportEquipment(GSE)thattheCustomerwillbringtothelaunchsiteisrequiredfor

submittalofimport/exportpaperwork,partofthestandardmissionintegrationprocessfornon‐US

payloads.

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Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|23

3.4. PAYLOADENVIRONMENTS

Falcon1LaunchVehiclesuseallliquidpropellantwithasinglestagingevent,lowthrust‐to‐weight,andlow

dynamicpressureflight.Theenvironmentspresentedhereareintendedtoreflecttypicalmissionlevels;mission

specificanalysesaretobeperformedanddocumentedintheInterfaceControlDocument(ICD)perpayloadneeds.

Specificindividualenvironmentsaredefinedinthefollowingsections.



Throughoutpre‐flightandflightoperations,variousenvironmentalcontributionsmaybecomemoreorless

important.Certainevents,suchaspyrotechnicfiringsandstageburnout,addspecificquasi‐staticordynamic

loadsforspecifieddurations,whichmayormaynotneedtobeaddedtootherenvironmentsexperiencedatthe

sametime.

3.4.1. TRANSPORTATIONENVIRONMENTS

SpaceXisintheprocessofquantifyingthetransportationenvironmentsthataspacecraftwillencounterwhile

beingtransportedfromthepayloadreceivingsitetothepayloadprocessinghangarandlaunchpad.Forlaunches

fromReaganTestSite,transportationwillbebybothwheeledvehicleandoceanvessel.Untilthetransportation

environmentsarefullyquantified,SpaceXrecommendsthatallpayloadsusetheTransportationEnvironment

GuidelinesasspecifiedinMIL‐STD‐810.



Theambienttemperature,humidity,andcleanlinessenvironmentswillnotbecontrolledduringtransportationto

thelaunchsite.Allpayloadtransportationcontainersshouldbedesignedtoprotectthepayloaduntilitisfinally

removedfromthecontainerintheenvironmentallycontrolledpayloadprocessingfacility.

3.4.2. HUMIDITY,CLEANLINESSANDTHERMALCONTROL

Thepayloadwillbeexposedtothermalenvironmentsandcleanlinesslevelsforthevariousmissionphases,as

summarizedinTable3‐4.Allbulkmaterialinthepayloadcompartmentmeetstotalmassloss(TML)oflessthan

1.0%andacollectedvolatilecondensablemass(CVCM)oflessthan0.1%.StandardcleanlinessisVCII,butVC1

canbeaccommodated.Thetemperaturesofthecylindricalsectionofthefairingwillnotexceed93.3°C(200°F).

TABLE3‐4:SUMMARYOFTHERMALANDHUMIDITYENVIRONMENTS



Temperature

HeatingLevelCleanlinessLevel

Humidity

Level

Encapsulated

during

transport*

Airpurgeat21°C±5.5°CVisiblyclean30‐60%RH

Encapsulated

andstacked

Airpurgeat21°C±5.5°CVisiblyclean

Filtered(3micron)purified

airpurge

Positivepressurewillkeep

fairingenvironmentclean.

30‐60%RH

LaunchRadiatedenvironment:15‐150°CTBD

Conductedenvironment:15‐150°CTBD

Timehistorywillbeprovided.

Positivepressurewillkeep

fairingenvironmentclean.

N/A

Fairing

Separation

Fairingseparatedwhenaero‐thermalheatingis

lessthan1135W/m2.

N/A



N/A

*Conditionedairmaybedisconnectedfornomorethan2hrsduringlaunchvehicleerectionprocedures



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|24



3.4.3. PAYLOADAIRCONDITIONING

Bothwithinthecleanroomandafterencapsulation,thepayloadwillbeprovidedwithconditionedairmaintained

at21degC+/‐ 5.5deg,andbetween30‐60%humidity.Conditionedairwillbefilteredto3microns.After

encapsulation,conditionedairwillbeprovidedviaaflexibleductsystemtoafairingportconfiguredtodirectthe

airintothefairing.Adiverterwillpreventdirectimpingementonthepayload.Thisflexibleductwillprovide

conditionedairwhilestillresidentinthecleanroom,andaftermatingtothelaunchvehicle.Theremaybeashort

breakinconditionedairduringthemovementoftheencapsulatedpayloadformthecleanroomtothevehicleof

notmorethan2hour.Conditionedairwillalsobeprovidedcontinuouslyonceatthepad.SpaceX’spayload

conditioningsystemisredundanttoensureminimalinterruptionintheeventofafailure.

3.4.4. LAUNCHANDFLIGHTENVIRONMENTS

Thissectionprovidesdetailsonthemaximumpredictedenvironments(MPE)thepayloadwillexperienceduring

Falcon1LaunchVehiclegroundoperations,integration,flight,andinitialorbitaloperations.Theenvironmental

designandtestcriteriapresentedherehavebeencalculatedusingthemostsophisticatedandaccuratemethods

availableand,wherepossible,havebeencorrelatedwithlaunchdataand/orscaledwithdatafromvehicleswith

similarenginetypes,materials,construction,andsize.Becausethedataisprimarilybasedoncalculationand

verifiedthroughgroundandflighttesting,appropriatemarginsareaddedandindicated.(Additionalmarginsover

thosepresentedherearenotrecommended,butareuptouserdiscretion).



Launchloadsexperiencedinthefirsttenminutesofapayload’slifedriveitsstructuraldesignanditsmass.After

separation,thesatellitespendstherestofitstimeinmicrogravityanddoesnottypicallyexperiencesuchloads

againduringitsusefullife.Asaresult,SpaceXhasgonetogreatlengthstominimizelaunchloads.Amongother

importantfactors,Falcon1LaunchVehiclesusenosolidfuelboosters,havelowthrustlevels,andalowthrust‐to‐

weightratio.Table3‐5,below,specifiestherelativeperiodsofloadingeventsanddetailedinformationabout

specificloadscanbefoundinsubsequentsections.BecausetheFalcon1LaunchVehicleFamilyisstillintheearly

stage,theseenvironmentswillbeupdatedasnewdatabecomesavailable.Tobeupdatedwhenthisinformation

isavailable,clickhere5.

TABLE3‐5:SUMMARYOFENVIRONMENTALCONDITIONSATVARIOUSFLIGHTEVENTS

FlightEvent

TypicalFlight

Time(s)

Steady/Quasi‐

StaticLoading

Transientor

ShockLoadsAcousticLoads

Random

Vibration

Liftoff0‐5LowYes Yes Yes

Subsonic5‐50YesVeryLow VeryLowVeryLow

Transonic50‐65YesVeryLow Yes Yes

Maxq65‐80YesVeryLow Yes Yes

Stage1Burnout170YesYes Low Low

StageSeparation172LowYes VeryLowVeryLow

Stage2Burn174‐540YesLow No Low

Stage2Burnout542YesLow No VeryLow

PayloadSeparation560YesYes No No







5Email:Lauren@spacex.com

Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|25

3.4.4.1. QUASISTATICLOADS

Duringflight,thepayloadwillexperiencearangeofaxialandlateralacceleration.Axialaccelerationisdetermined

bythevehiclethrusthistoryanddrag,whilemaximumlateralaccelerationsareprimarilydeterminedbywind

gusts,enginegimbalmaneuversandothershort‐durationevents.Conservativeloadsusedforpayloaddesignare

summarizedinTable3‐6,andanexampletrajectorytimehistoryaxialaccelerationisshowninFigure3‐4.These

loadfactorsweredevelopedforapayloadwithfirstfundamentalfrequenciesat25Hzorabovewhenmountedto

theseparationplane.Forspacecraftthataremoreflexible,thedesignlimitloadfactorswillbehigher.



TABLE3‐6:SUMMARYOFPAYLOADDESIGNCGLIMITLOADFACTORS,NOMINALFALCON1MISSION

FlightEvent

Quasi‐staticLoadFactors

Axial(g):Steady±Dynamic(Total)Lateral(g)

GroundHandling0.52.0

LiftOff1.2±0.4(0.8/1.6)0.50

Maxqα2.0±1.0(3.0/1.0)0.75

Stage1burnout6.4±1.25(7.7/5.2)0.75

Stage2Ignition3.2±.25(3.0/3.4)to6.0±.25(5.75/6.25)0.25

Stage2burnout4.5±0.5(5.0/4.0)to6.5±0.5(7.0/6.0)0.25



0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Acceleration(g)

Time(s)



FIGURE3‐4:EXAMPLESTEADYSTATEAXIALACCELERATIONTIMEHISTORYFORFALCON1

Notethataccelerationsarepayloadweightandtrajectorydependentandwillvary.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|26

TheprocesstodetermineloadsforanyspecificpayloadistoexecuteaCoupledLoadsAnalysis(CLA).Formore

flexiblespacecraft,SpaceXwillcompleteacoupledloadscycleasearlyaspossibletoidentifyanyissuesassociated

withdynamiccoupling.Theanalysisshouldbedonewithamodelverifiedbytest(sinesweep,modalsurvey,etc.)

Ifcouplingexists,thendesignsolutionsmustbeidentifiedtoreduceoreliminatetheimpactofthecoupling.The

newlydesignedsystemwillbecharacterizeddynamicallybyupdatingstructuraldynamicsmodelsandrunning

anotherloadscycle.Thisprocesscontinuesuntilasolutionisidentifiedandproventohaveadequatestructural

strength.ThefollowingmodeshavebeendeterminedfortheFalcon1LaunchVehicles:

TABLE3‐7:FALCON1MODES

LiftoffMaxQ@73.5secBurnout@168.1s

1stBending~5Hz~6Hz~13Hz

2ndBending~14.5Hz~20Hz~27Hz

Axial~16&~17Hz~17&~22Hz~35&~43Hz



Inadditiontostructuralimpacts,theguidanceandcontrolassociatedwithamoreflexiblesystemmustbe

addressed. Inthiscase,oncethecombinedbendingmodesareidentified,aguidancesimulationwillberunto

ensureadequatecontrolauthorityexistsforthedynamicsystem.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|27

3.4.4.2. RANDOMVIBRATIONENVIRONMENT

Thepayloadvibrationenvironmentisgeneratedbyacousticnoiseinthefairingandbyengineandaero‐induced

vibrationthatistransmittedthroughthevehiclestructure.Themaximumpredictedenvironment(MPE)was

derivedfrommeasurementsrecordedatthepayloadinterfaceduringthefull‐scalefairingacoustictestandduring

thefirstFalcon1flight.Variouspayloadweightswereusedduringtheacoustictesttoquantifythevibrationlevel

dependenceonpayloadmass.ThepayloadMPEwassubsequentlyverifiedwithdatafromthesecondFalcon1

flight.TherandomvibrationMPEforFalcon1isshownbelowinFigure3‐5. Notethatthesevaluesinclude

appropriatemarginsduetouncertaintyandthatthisdatawillbecontinuouslyrefinedasadditionalflightdatais

collected.ThecornerfrequenciesaresummarizedinTable3‐8.

.



0.0001

0.001

0.01

0.1

10 100 1000 10000

Falcon 1 Payload Interface Random Vibration MPE, 4.7 grms (g^2/Hz)

MIL-STD-1540E Minimum Vibration ATP for Spacecraft (3.8 grms)

Frequency (Hz)

PSD(g

/HZ)



FIGURE3‐5:FALCON1PAYLOADINTERFACERANDOMVIBRATION

NotethatPSDvaluesaremassdependentandthoseshownherecorrespondtoapayloadwithamassof1000lbs

(454kg).PleasecontactSpaceXforpayloadspecificPSDvalues.



TABLE3‐8:FALCON1RANDOMVIBRATIONMAXIMUMPREDICTEDENVIRONMENTPSDVALUES

Frequency

(Hz)

PSD*

(g2/Hz)

20 0.003

100 0.02

700 0.02

2000 0.0025

Grms4.7

*PSDvaluescorrespondtoapayloadwithamassof1000lbs(454kg).



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|28

3.4.4.3. SHOCKENVIRONMENT

Therearefoureventsduringflightthatarecharacterizedasshockloads:

1)Vehiclehold‐downreleaseatlift‐off

2)Stageseparation

3)Fairingseparation

4)Payloadseparation



Oftheshockevents,(1)and(2)arenegligibleforthepayloadrelativeto(3)duetothelargedistanceandnumber

ofjointsoverwhichshocks(1)and(2)willtravelanddissipate.Maxshockloading(3)and(4)ismeasuredand

scaledforvariouspayloadweightsusingindustrystandardpractices.Theresultingmaximumshockenvironment

predictedatpayloadinterfaceisshowninFigure3‐6.Note:Enginestart‐upandshut‐downtransientsaresmallin

magnitudecomparedto(1)–(4).



100

1000

100 1000 10000

Frequency(Hz)

SRS (g‐peak)



FIGURE3‐6:FALCON1BASELINESHOCKRESPONSEATSEPARATIONPLANEDUETOFAIRINGSEPARATION

Note:TheSRSvaluesaremassdependentandthoseshownherecorrespondstoapayloadwithamassof1000lbs

(454kg).PleasecontactSpaceXforpayloadspecificSRSvalues.Also,Figure3‐6doesnotincludeshockassociated

withpayloadseparationbecausemultipleseparationsystemsareaccommodated.IfastandardSpaceXseparation

systemisused,SpaceXcanprovidepayloadseparationshocklevels.



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|29

3.4.4.4. ACOUSTICENVIRONMENT

Duringflight,thepayloadwillbesubjectedtoavaryingacousticenvironment.Levelsarehighestatliftoffand

duringtransonicflightduetoaerodynamicexcitation.Falcon1willmakeuseofacousticblanketingtoreducethe

acousticenvironmentandanominal(minimal)5cmthickblanketconfigurationisassumedforthepredicted

environment.Flightdatawereusedtopredicttheworst‐caseacousticenvironmentbelow.Asummaryof

acousticMPEisshowninTable3‐9andplottedinFigure3‐7.



TABLE3‐9:FALCON1PAYLOADACOUSTICENVIRONMENTASSUMINGNOMINAL5CMACOUSTICBLANKETS

Frequency

(Hz)

Falcon1Payload

AcousticMPE*

Frequency

(Hz)

Falcon1Payload

AcousticMPE*

20103  500122

25106  630122

31109  800122

40112  1000121

50113.5  1250120

63115  1600118

80116  2000117

100117  2500116

125118  3150115

160119  4000114

200120  5000113

250121  6300112

315121.5  8000111

400122  10000110

OASPL132.6

*EmptyFairing(133dBOASPL)



100

110

120

130

140

10 100 1000 10000

Falcon 1 Payload Acoustic MPE - Empty Fairing (133 dB OASPL)

SPL(dB,ref20uPa)

Frequency(Hz)



FIGURE3‐7:SOUNDPRESSURELEVEL(SPL)SPECTRAFORFALCON1ASSUMING2INCHACOUSTICBLANKETS



Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|30

3.4.4.5. RFENVIRONMENT

PayloadcustomersmustensurethatspacecraftmaterialsorcomponentssensitivetoanRFenvironmentare

compatiblewithboththelaunchpadenvironmentandtheRFenvironmentduringflight.



TheFalcon1fairingattenuatesthelaunchvehicletransmissionsduringlaunchpadoperationsandflight,upto

fairingseparation.Afterfairingseparation,theC‐bandtransmissionswillnotexceed3.38dbm(pulsed)atthe

CenterofGravity(CG)ofthefairing.TheS‐bandtransmissionsatthistimewillnotexceed‐4.87dbm(continuous)

attheCGofthefairing.WerecommendpoweringthepayloadOFFduringlaunchtominimizetheriskof

interferenceanddamagetothepayload.ThespacecraftRFcharacteristicsshouldbesuchthatthereisno

interferencewiththelaunchvehicleRFsystemslistedinTable3‐10.



TABLE3‐10:LAUNCHVEHICLERFSYSTEMCHARACTERISTICS

    Source 

1234567

FunctionCommand

Destruct

Tracking

Transponder

Tracking

Transponder

Stg1Launch

VehicleTelem

Stg2Launch

VehicleTelem

Launch

VehicleVideo

GPS

RoleReceiveTransmitReceive Transmit Transmit TransmitReceive

BandUHFC‐BandC‐Band S‐Band S‐Band S‐BandL‐Band

Frequency

(MHz)

416.5

or425

57655690 2221.5 2213.5 2251.51575.42

BandwidthN/AN/A14MHz@

3dB

0.6MHz@

3dB

1.2MHz@

3dB

8MHz@3dB20.46MHz

Power

Output

N/A400WpeakN/A 5W 10W 10WN/A

Sensitivity‐107dBmN/A‐70dBm N/A N/A N/AN/A

ModulationTonePulseCodePulseCode PCM/FM PCM/FM FM/FMPRNCode



FIGURE3‐8:FALCON1WORSTCASERADIATEDENVIRONMENT

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3.4.4.6. FAIRINGINTERNALPRESSUREENVIRONMENT

ThefairingflightpressureprofileisdefinedintheFigure3‐9.Theascentpressuredecayratewillnotexceed0.23

psi/sec.



020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Pressure (psi)

020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

-0.3

-0.2

-0.1

Time since Lift-Off (sec)

Depressurization Rate (psi/sec)

Rev K vb002



FIGURE3‐9:EXAMPLEDEPRESSURIZATIONENVIRONMENTSANDDEPRESSURIZATIONRATES



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

4. FACILITIES

4.1. HEADQUARTERS–HAWTHORNE,CALIFORNIA

SpaceXheadquartersareconvenientlylocatedinHawthorne,California,afewmilesinlandfromLosAngeles

InternationalAirport.The500,000+squarefootdesignandmanufacturingfacilitymeasuresoverhalfamillion

squarefeet–rankingamongthelargestmanufacturingfacilitiesinCalifornia.TwocompleteFalcon9swillfitend

toendalongtheshortlengthofthebuilding.Forproduction,therearethreeFalcon1lines,threeparallelFalcon9

lines,nearlytwodozenMerlinengineassemblystations,andDragoncapsuleproductionareas.Currentand

potentialcustomersareencouragedtoarrangeatour6whenintheLosAngelesarea.



FIGURE4‐1:HAWTHORNE,CALIFORNIAHEADQUARTERS

4.2. WASHINGTON,DC

SpaceX’sgovernmentoutreachandlicensingteamislocatedinWashington,DC.

4.3. TESTFACILITY‐CENTRALTEXAS

Structuralandpropulsiontestsareconductedattherapidlygrowingandexpandingtestfacilitylocatedin

McGregor,Texas,justwestofWaco.Convenientlylocated2hoursfrombothAustinandDallas,thesiteisfully

staffedwithtestengineers,techniciansandmanagementpersonnel.Duringpreparationandtesting,thesitealso

playshosttoengineersfromCaliforniaandmissionassurancepersonnel.



FIGURE4‐2:MERLINENGINEINTESTINGATSPACEX’STEXASTESTFACILITY





6 Email:Lauren@spacex.com

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4.4. LAUNCHSITE–KWAJALEINATOLL

SpaceXiswillingtolaunchfromanylocationcustomerschoose,providedthebusinesscaseforestablishingthe

requestedlaunchsiteexists.SpaceXhasanoperationalFalcon1launchsiteattheKwajaleinAtoll,about2500

milessouthwestofHawaii.TheFalcon1launchfacilitiesaresituatedonOmelekIsland,partoftheRonaldReagan

BallisticMissileDefenseTestSite(RTS)atUnitedStatesArmyKwajaleinAtoll(USAKA).Agenerallayoutofthe

launchfacilityispresentedinFigure4‐3,below.



FIGURE4‐3:OMELEKISLANDLAUNCHFACILITIESATREAGANTESTSITE

4.4.1. PROCESSINGSERVICESANDEQUIPMENT

TheservicesandequipmentprovidedforsatelliteprocessinginthecleanroomareaareshowninTable4‐1.

Spacecraftlimitationsfortheprocessingfacilityrequirethatnomonoorbi‐propellantsbeonboard.SpaceX

baselinesa100,000classcleanroomfacilityforpayloadprocessing.HangaronOmelekhousesthePayload

ProcessingFacility(PPF).TheinteriordimensionsaregiveninTable4‐1.



NearthePPF,acustomerofficeareawillbeprovidedthatcontainsdesks,officechairs,oneclassAtelephoneline,

andhighspeedinternetconnectivity.Faxserviceisalsoavailable.Portableunitswillsupplysanitationneedsfor

bothSpaceXandpayloadsupportpersonnelatthelaunchpad.Payloadsupportpersonnelarewelcometoshare

smallamountsofrefrigeratorspace,coffeemachines,microwaves,andotherconveniencesthatmaybeavailable.

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TABLE4‐1:SERVICESANDEQUIPMENTFORSATELLITEPROCESSINGATREAGANTESTSITE

CleanRoom

Dimensions(HxDxW)–(m)5.1x5.4x3.0

Class100k

Temperature(°C)21.0+/‐5.5

Humidity(%RH)30‐60

OverheadCrane

Hookheight(m)4

Capacity(ton)1

Liftrate(m/min)<3.0

HydrosetavailableYes

Electrical(groundingperMIL‐STD1542)

110VAC8

208VAC1

OfficeSpace

Desks2

Ethernet/Internet120Kbps

ShopAir

Yes

Security

LockingFacilityYes

Communications

AreaWarningSystemYes

AdministrativePhoneYes



4.4.1.1. FUELING

SpacecraftfuelingisnotprovidedasastandardserviceintheSpaceXpayloadprocessingareafortheFalcon1

LaunchVehicleFamily.PleasecontactSpaceX7ifthisnon‐standardserviceisrequired.

4.4.1.2. ELECTRICALPOWERSUPPLY

TheelectricalpowersuppliedinthepayloadprocessingareaisshowninTable4‐1.ThePayloadProvidershall

providethenecessarycablestointerfaceGSEtopayloadprocessingroompower.ThePayloadProvidershallalso

definethepowerrequirementsforthepayloadinthelaunchvehicleICD.

4.4.1.3. PAYLOADMONITORINGANDCONTROLSPACE

Formonitoringofspacecrafttelemetryduringtestandlaunchoperations,oneconsoleisprovidedforthePayload

ProviderintheSpaceXcommandcenter,andstationsforuptofiveotherpayloadsupportpersonnelwillbe

available(duringlaunchoperations,eitherinthepayloadprocessingareaorinotherfacilities).Theseadditional

stationswillconsistofaconnectiontotheSpaceXtelemetryserver–PayloadProvidersshouldbringcomputersfor

thesestations(PCsystems).AllstationswillbeabletomonitoranytelemetryreceivedthroughtheFalcon1

VehicleFamily’svehicletelemetrystreamorviathepayloadEthernetconnection.Currently,twostationsinoff

padlocationswillincludecommunicationsconsoles,aswilltheconsoleinthecontrolcenter.Ifpayloadcommand

controlcapabilityisrequiredbythePayloadProvider,itwillbeprovisionedforbySpaceXonacase‐by‐casebasis.







7Lauren@spacex.com

Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7Page|35



FIGURE4‐4:OMELEKHANGARLAYOUT



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5. LAUNCHOPERATIONS

5.1. LAUNCHCONTROLORGANIZATION

Themaindecisionmakingcomponentsofthelaunchcontrolorganizationareshowninthetablebelow.Notethat

thisisnotaninclusivelistofparticipants,butonlythosethathaveinputtothedecision‐makingprocess.

TABLE5‐1:LAUNCHCONTROLORGANIZATION

PositionAbbrev.ResponsibleOrganization

MissionDirectorMDSpaceX(standard)

Customer(non‐standardservice)

MissileFlightControlOfficerorFlight

SafetyOfficer

MFCO/FSOLaunchRange

OperationsSafetyManagerorGround

SafetyOfficer

OSM/GSOLaunchRange

LaunchDirectorLDSpaceX

PayloadManagerPMPayloadCustomer

FlowDirector(PadOperations)FDSpaceX



Thelaunchcontrolorganizationanditslinesofdecisionmakingareshowninthefigurebelow.Pleasenotethat

thisorganizationmayvaryslightlybaseduponthemissionandcustomer.Thepayloadmanagerorhis/her

representativewillsitatthePayloadStationintheSpaceXcontrolcenter.



LVSupport

Stations

LaunchDirector

PadSupervisorLaunch

Conductor

PayloadSupport

Stations

Operations

SafetyManager

MFCO

MissionDirector

PayloadManager

DashedLines–CommunicationsPaths

Solidlines–DecisionTree



FIGURE5‐1:LAUNCHCONTROLORGANIZATION



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5.2. MISSIONINTEGRATION

TheLaunchVehicletopayloadinterfaces,payloadenvironmentalconditions,andgeneralcapabilitiesaredescribed

inthisUserGuide.SpaceXwillsupplyasinglePointofContact,theMissionManager,fromcontractaward

throughlaunch..TheMissionManagerwillassessthelaunchvehiclecapabilitiesagainstpayloadrequirements.

Throughouttheintegrationprocess,thecapabilitieswillbemergedwithpayloadrequirements.Thisprocesswill

beaccomplishedbyteleconferences,integrationmeetingsandmissionuniquedesignreviews,asrequired.The

resultofthisprocessisdocumentedintheLaunchVehicletoSpacecraftICD—theMasterdocumentforanySpaceX

mission.FollowingsignatureapprovaloftheICD,configurationcontrolismaintainedbySpaceX.SpaceXalso

coordinatesallaspectsofthelaunchvehicleproduction,rangeandrangesafetyintegration,andallmission

requiredlicensing.TheMissionManagerfacilitatestheseinterfacesforthePayloadProvider.Oncethepayload

arrivesatthelaunchsite,thephysicalaccommodationforthespacecraftisturnedovertothePayloadIntegration

Manager—partoftheoperationscrew.TheMissionManagerwillcontinuetomanagethecustomerinterfaceat

thelaunchsite.

TABLE5‐2:STANDARDLAUNCHINTEGRATIONPROCESS

Launch–8monthsormoreContract signingandauthoritytoproceed

• Estimatedpayloadmass,volume,mission,operationsandinterface

requirements

• Safetyinformation(SafetyProgramPlan;Designinformation:

battery,ordnance,propellants,andoperations)

• MissionanalysissummaryprovidedtotheCustomerwithin30days

ofcontract

Launch–6monthsFinalpayloaddesign,including:mass,volume,structuralcharacteristics,

mission,operations,andinterfacerequirements

• Payloadtoprovidetestverifiedstructuraldynamicmodel

Launch–4monthsPayloadreadinessreview forRangeSafety

• Launchsiteoperationsplan

• Hazardanalyses

Launch–3monthsVerification

• ReviewofpayloadtestdataverifyingcompatibilitywithFalcon1

environments

• CoupledpayloadandFalcon1loadsanalysiscompleted

• ConfirmpayloadinterfacesasbuiltarecompatiblewithFalcon1

• Missionsafetyapproval

Launch–4‐6weeksSystemReadinessReview(SRR)

• Pre‐shipmentreviewshaveoccurred,orareabouttooccur.

• Verifylaunchsite,Range,Regulatoryagencies,launchvehicle,

payload,peopleandpaperareallinplaceandreadytobegin

launchcampaign

Launch–2weeksPayloadarrivalatlaunchlocation

Launch–8‐9daysPayloadmating toLaunchVehicleandfairingencapsulation

Launch–7daysFlightReadinessReview(FRR)

• ReviewofLVandpayloadcheckoutsinhangar.Confirmationof

readinesstoproceedwithVehiclerollout.

Launch–1dayLaunchReadinessReview (LRR)

Launch 

Launch+4hoursPost‐LaunchReports‐Quicklook

Launch+4weeksPost‐LaunchReport‐FinalReport

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5.2.1. PAYLOADTRANSPORTTOLAUNCHSITE

UponarrivalofthePayloadatKwajalein,thepayloadcontainerandallassociatedtest/supportequipmentareoff‐

loadedfromtheplanebyKwajaleinAirportcargohandlers.SpaceXarrangesfortransportationfromtheairportto

thelaunchsiteontheislandofOmelek.Thistransporttakesplacebyboat.



Boththepayloadandequipmentwillmakethreemajormovesbetweenfacilities:

o FromKwajaleinAirporttotheKwajaleinmarinaviatruck

o FromtheKwajaleinmarinatotheOmelekIslandloadingrampviacargoship

o FromtheOmelekIslandloadingramptothevehicleassemblyhangarcleanroomviaforklift



IfshipmenttoOmelekIslandcannotbecompletedonthesamedayasSCandequipmentarrivalonKwajalein(due

tolateplanearrival,seastate,orotherwise)thentheequipmentandSCwilleitherstayovernightintheplaneor

betransportedviatrucktoadesignatedSpaceXstoragefacility.Thisfacilitywillbeprovidedwithstandardoffice

gradeairconditioning,buttheconditioningisnotguaranteed.TheSCwillbetransportedinitsownshipping

containeruntilitreachesthevehicleassemblyhangaronOmelekIsland.

5.2.2. PAYLOADINTEGRATION

SpaceXmakespre‐launchoperationsassimpleandstreamlinedaspossible.Figure5‐3showsnominallaunch

operationsflowforLaunchVehicleOperations,GSEOperationsandPayloadOperations,beginningatL‐18days.

SpaceXrequiresthatthepayloadbebroughttothelaunchsiteonlytwoweekspriortolaunch.Forcustomer

convenience,SpaceXprovidesClass100Kcleanroomfacilitiesfornon‐hazardousprocessingforuptothreeweeks

asastandardservice.Oncethepayloadarrivesatthelaunchsite,attachmentandfairingencapsulationcanbe

completedinlessthantwenty‐fourhours.



SpaceXintegratesthepayloadontheadapterintheverticalconfiguration,followedcloselybyfairing

encapsulation.Oncefullyencapsulated,thesystemisrotatedhorizontallyandthenintegratedtothesecond

stage.Post‐matecheckoutsareconductedfollowedbyaFlightReadinessReview(FRR).OncetheFRRis

completed,thevehicleisrolledouttothepad.Notethattheintegratedpayloadandlaunchvehiclegovertical

withinsixdaysofliftoff.Accessuntilrolloutisavailableasastandardservice.



Falcon1LaunchVehiclemissionsandassociatedoperationshavebeendesignedforminimalcomplexityand

minimaltimeatthepad.Thepayloadwillbeintegratedhorizontallytothelauncherapproximatelysevendays

priortolaunch.Onceintegrated,thevehicleismovedtothepadandiserectedusingtheFalcon1LaunchVehicle

transporter.Finalsystemclose‐out,fuelingandtestingisthencompleted.Twenty‐fourhourspriortolaunch,the

LaunchReadinessReview(LRR)isheld.Oncethelaunchapprovalisgiven,thetwenty‐fourhourcountdownbegins.

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

FIGURE5‐2:ERECTIONOPERATIONONOMELEKISLANDWITHLAUNCHVEHICLEANDTRANSPORTERERECTOR

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

Flight

Readiness

Review

Flight

Readiness

Review

Flight

Readiness

Review

FIGURE5‐3:NOMINALKWAJALEINLAUNCHOPERATIONSFLOW

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5.2.3. EXAMPLEFLIGHTPROFILES

OnceFalcon1islauncheditfollowsaprofilesimilartothosedescribedinFigure5‐4orFigure5‐5,below.(Note:

eachflightprofileisuniqueandwillvarydependingonthetrajectory.)Fordirectinjectedmissions,payload

separationoccursatapproximately570seconds.Fortwoburnmissions,thepayloadisreleasedapproximately

3270secondsintothemission.



FIGURE5‐4:FALCON1SAMPLEFLIGHTPROFILE,DIRECTINSERTIONMISSION



FIGURE5‐5:FALCON1SAMPLEFLIGHTPROFILE,TWO‐BURNMISSION



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6. SAFETY

6.1. SAFETYREQUIREMENTS

Falcon1customersarerequiredtomeetAFSPC91‐710RangeSafetyManualrequirementsinthedesignand

operationoftheirflightandgroundsystems.Theserequirementsencompassmechanicaldesign,electricaldesign,

fluidandpressurantsystems,liftingandhandlingsystems,ordnanceandRFsystems,groundsupportequipment,

andotherdesignandoperationalfeatures.SpaceXcanassistthecustomerindeterminingwhichrequirementsin

particularpertaintothecustomerssystems,andcanalsoassistincompletingrequireddocumentation.

6.2. HAZARDOUSSYSTEMSANDOPERATIONS

Mostrangesconsiderhazardoussystemsoroperationstoincludeordnanceoperations,pressurizedsystemsthat

operatebelowa4to1safetyfactor,liftingoperations,operationsorsystemsthatincludetoxicorhazardous

materials,highpowerRFsystems,lasersystems,andavarietyofothersystemsandoperations.Thedetailsofthe

systemdesignanditsoperationwilldeterminewhetherthesystemoritsoperationareconsideredhazardous.

Typically,additionalprecautionsarerequiredforoperatingsystemsthatareconsideredhazardous–thesewillbe

determinedduringthesafetyapprovalprocesswithSpaceXandthelaunchrange.Allhazardousoperationswill

requireproceduresthatareapprovedbybothSpaceXandthelaunchrangepriortoexecution.Ordnance

operationsinparticularrequirecoordinationtoprovidereducedRFenvironments,clearedareas,safetysupport,

andotherrequirements.

6.3. WAIVERS

Forsystemsoroperationsthatarenotabletomeetsafetyrequirementsandyetarebelievedtobeacceptablefor

groundoperationsandlaunch,awaiveristypicallyproducedforapprovalbythelaunchrangesafetyauthority.

Waiversarealastresortsolutionandrequireconsiderablecoordinationandshouldnotbeconsideredastandard

practice.SpaceXwillassistthecustomerindeterminingwhetheranissueshouldbeelevatedtorequireawaiver

astheintegrationprocessevolves.

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7. PAYLOADQUESTIONNAIRE

CompletionofthefollowingPayloadQuestionnaireisnecessaryforuseinevaluatingthecompatibilityofanynew

payloadwithFalcon1LaunchVehicles.IfyouareconsideringusingFalcon1LaunchVehicles,thenplease

completeasmuchofthequestionnaireaspossibleandreturnitto:



SpaceX

ATTN:LaurenDreyer

1RocketRd.

Hawthorne,CA90250



Lauren@spacex.com



PleaseNote:SpaceXwilltreatallcustomersupplieddataasproprietaryinformationandwillnotdiscloseor

retransmitanypartoftheinformationcontainedhereintoanyoutsideentitywithouttheexpressedwritten

consentofyourorganization.



PayloadInformation

PayloadName/Title/Acronym

PayloadContractororSponsor

PointsofContactandContactInformation



PayloadMissionInformation

DesiredLaunchDate/Timeframe

MissionTimelineDescription

LaunchWindowConstraints



Item  StowedConfigurationTolerance

CenterofGravity

(mm)

X±

Y±

Z±

MomentofInertia

(kg.mm2)

IXX±

IYY±

IZZ±

ProductofInertia

(kg.mm2)

IXY±

IYZ±

IXZ±



PayloadTrajectoryRequirements

ParameterValueSIUnits

DesiredOrbitApogeekm

Accuracykm

DesiredOrbitPerigeekm

Accuracykm

DesiredOrbitInclinationdeg

Accuracydeg

DesiredRightAscensionofAscendingNodedeg

Accuracydeg

DesiredArgumentofPerigeedeg

Accuracydeg



PayloadOrbitalInjectionConditions

SIUnits

MaximumAllowableTip‐OffRatedeg/sec

DesiredSpin‐UpRaterpm

PointingRequirement(PleaseSpecify)

MaximumAllowablePointingErrordeg



PayloadMassProperties

SIUnits

SpacecraftMass(Maximum)kg

SpacecraftCoordinateSystem



PayloadMechanicalInterface

SIUnits

SpacecraftHeight(Maximum)mm

SpacecraftDiameter(Maximum)mm

FairingAccessDoorLocationPreference

MechanicalAttachmentBoltCircleDiametermm



DoyouhaveaSpacecraftSeparationSystem?Ifso,providedetailshere:

Note:SpaceXcandesign/providetheSpacecraftSeparationSystemifdesired.



PayloadThermalEnvironment

SIUnits

Pre‐launchTemperatureRange°C

Pre‐launchAllowableWaterVaporinAirgrains/lb

air

MaximumPre‐launchGasImpingementVelocitym/sec

MaximumAscentHeatFluxW/m2

MaximumFree‐MolecularHeatFluxW/m2

MaximumFairingAscentDepressurizationRatembar/sec



PayloadContaminationControl

SIUnits

DesiredPayloadProcessingCapabilitiesClass

DesiredFairingAirCleanlinessClass



PayloadDynamicEnvironment

SIUnits

MaximumAllowableAcousticSoundPressureLeveldB

OASPL

MaximumAllowableSineVibrationGrms

MaximumAllowableShockg

MaximumLateralAccelerationg

MaximumAxialAccelerationg

FundamentalFrequency‐LateralHz

FundamentalFrequency‐LongitudinalHz

AdditionalData:

1. Pleaseprovideadescriptionofthepayloadtestingplannedduringpayloadprocessingat

thelaunchsite,aswellasanytestingplannedwhileencapsulated.Pleasedescribeeach

testintermsofpersonnelrequired,durationoftest,tools/GSErequired,andanypossible

safetyconcernsthatshouldbeconsidered.



2. Pleasedescribeanysafetyissuesassociatedwiththespacecraft.



3. Pleasedescribethepropulsionsystemstobeusedonthespacecraft.



4. Pleasedescribethepressurevesselstobeusedonthespacecraft.



5. Pleasedescribethepowersystems(batteries,solarcells,etc).



6. PleasedescribetheRFsystemstobeusedonthespacecraft.PleasedetaileachRF

transmitterorreceiver,itsfunction,frequency,sensitivity,poweroutput,andbandwidth.



7. Pleaseprovidethespacecraftallowableortestacousticprofile,randomvibration

spectrum,shockspectrum,andsinevibrationcurve.



8. PleaseprovideDimensionalDrawingsand/orCADmodelsofthespacecraftifavailable.

Thesedrawings/modelsshouldincludethespacecraftseparationsystem.Ratherthan

attachingtothisPDF,ifyouprefertosendtheseviaemail,pleasesubmitto

Lauren@spacex.com.



9. Pleasedescribeanysecurityconcernsorrequirementsyouhave.



10. Pleasedescribeanyadditionalspacecraftrequirementsthatweshouldbemadeawareof.

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Page|44

8. QUICKREFERENCE

8.1. LISTOFFIGURES

Figure2‐1:Falcon1StandardFairingandDynamicEnvelope*,meters[inches]........................................................10

Figure2‐2:Falcon1eStandardFairingandDynamicEnvelope*,meters[inches]......................................................12

Figure2‐3:Falcon1&1eDirect&Two‐BurnPerformanceto9.1°Inclination...........................................................15

Figure2‐4:Falcon1&1eTwo‐BurnPerformancetoLEO...........................................................................................15

Figure2‐5:Falcon1LaunchVehicleLayoutandCoordinateSystem(allstationlocationanddimensionunits

areshownininches).................................................................................................................................17

Figure3‐1:AllowableCGOffsetfromCenterline........................................................................................................18

Figure3‐2:AllowableCGOffsetfromSeparationPlane..............................................................................................18

Figure3‐3:Falcon1ElectricalInterfacetoPayloadRemoteLaunchCenters,Blockhouse‐to‐Spacecraft

Wiring........................................................................................................................................................20

Figure3‐4:ExampleSteadyStateAxialAccelerationTimeHistoryforFalcon1.........................................................26

Figure3‐5:Falcon1PayloadInterfaceRandomVibration..........................................................................................27

Figure3‐6:Falcon1BaselineShockResponseatSeparationPlaneduetoFairingSeparation..................................28

Figure3‐7:SoundPressureLevel(SPL)SpectraforFalcon1Assuming2inchAcousticBlankets...............................29

Figure3‐8:Falcon1WorstCaseRadiatedEnvironment.............................................................................................30

Figure3‐9:ExampleDepressurizationEnvironmentsandDepressurizationRates.....................................................31

Figure4‐1:Hawthorne,CaliforniaHeadquarters........................................................................................................32

Figure4‐2:MerlinEngineinTestingatSpaceX’sTexasTestFacility...........................................................................32

Figure4‐3:OmelekIslandLaunchFacilitiesatReaganTestSite.................................................................................33

Figure4‐4:OmelekHangarLayout..............................................................................................................................35

Figure5‐1:LaunchControlOrganization.....................................................................................................................36

Figure5‐2:ErectionoperationonOmelekIslandwithlaunchvehicleandtransportererector.................................39

Figure5‐3:NominalKwajaleinLaunchOperationsFlow.............................................................................................40

Figure5‐4:Falcon1SampleFlightProfile,DirectInsertionMission...........................................................................41

Figure5‐5:Falcon1SampleFlightProfile,Two‐BurnMission....................................................................................41



8.2. LISTOFTABLES

Table1‐1:OrganizationalChangestoFalcon1User'sGuide........................................................................................4

Table1‐2:UpdatedTablesandFigures.........................................................................................................................5

Table2‐1:Falcon1LaunchVehicleFamilyComparisonChart......................................................................................8

Table3‐1:LaunchVehicleMassPropertyLimitations.................................................................................................18

Table3‐2:RequiredDocumentsforAllPayloads........................................................................................................21

Table3‐3:AdditionalRequiredDocumentsforNon‐USPayloads...............................................................................22

Table3‐4:SummaryofThermalandHumidityEnvironments....................................................................................23

Table3‐5:SummaryofEnvironmentalConditionsatVariousFlightEvents...............................................................24

Table3‐6:Falcon1Modes...........................................................................................................................................26

Table3‐7:SummaryofPayloadDesignCGLimitLoadFactors,NominalFalcon1Mission........................................26

Table3‐8:Falcon1RandomVibrationMaximumPredictedEnvironmentPSDValues..............................................27

Table3‐9:Falcon1PayloadAcousticEnvironmentassumingNominal5cmAcousticBlankets................................29

Table3‐10:LaunchVehicleRFSystemCharacteristics................................................................................................30

Table4‐1:ServicesandEquipmentforSatelliteProcessingatReaganTestSite........................................................34

Table5‐1:LaunchControlOrganization......................................................................................................................36

Table5‐2:StandardLaunchIntegrationProcess.........................................................................................................37

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Falcon1User’sGuide‐D000973Rev.7

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Page|45

8.3. LISTOFACRONYMS

CAM................................................................................................................................CollisionAvoidanceManeuver

CVCM.................................................................................................CollectedVolatileCondensableMass(Material?)

FAA................................................................................................................................FederalAviationAdministration

FRR............................................................................................................................................FlightReadinessReview

GN2......................................................................................................................................................GaseousNitrogen

GPS.........................................................................................................................................GlobalPositioningSystem

GSE......................................................................................................................................GroundSupportEquipment

ICD......................................................................................................................................InterfaceControlDocument

LRR..........................................................................................................................................LaunchReadinessReview

LV.............................................................................................................................................................LaunchVehicle

MPE..........................................................................................................................MaximumPredictedEnvironments

OASPL...............................................................................................................................OverallSoundPressureLevel

PPF........................................................................................................................................PayloadProcessingFacility

RTS........................................................................................................................................................ReaganTestSite

SLC3W..................................................................................................................................SpaceLaunchComplex3W

SpaceX..........................................................................................................................SpaceExplorationTechnologies

SPL.................................................................................................................................................SoundPressureLevel

SRR..........................................................................................................................................SystemReadinessReview

TML.........................................................................................................................................................TotalMassLoss



Falcon 1 User's Guide Rev 7

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