A Merlin 1C engine undergoing development test firing at the SpaceX test facility in McGregor Texas. The Merlin 1C engine will power the next Falcon 1 flight, scheduled for Q1 2008.

The Spacex Merlin D has improved performance. Thrust is increased from 95,000 lbf (sea level) to 140,000 lbf (sea level). Added throttle capability for range from 70-100 percent. Currently, it is ...

Merlin engines ignite on the first stage, setting it on a trajectory for the landing site. The second stage releases the satellite into a predetermined orbit.

1 Aluminum-lithium alloy tanks fuel nine Merlin engines with liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene propellant, generating more than 1.7 million pounds of thrust.

SpaceX’s Merlin 1D rumbled for a full mission duration firing, while Orbital’s AJ-26 continued its testing ahead of its debut on their Antares launch vehicle.

When SpaceX began building what would become its Merlin engine, it settled on a relatively simple design it could bring to market quickly and scale upwards over time. Over the last 11 years ...