Rocket evolution from the Saturn V to Starship
The article discusses how the design of rockets has changed since the 1960s, with a focus on SpaceX's new Starship rocket.
Photo: REUTERS/Joe Skipper
The Falcon 9 is the first vehicle to have a booster that can be reused. The booster can land autonomously after delivering spacecraft into orbit and be reused. The first major vehicle to be developed by SpaceX was designed in partnership with NASA in order to replace the Space Shuttle in low-Earth orbit. Falcon 9 is the most affordable and widely used rocket in the world, capable of launching satellites and space probes as well as astronauts.