SpaceX's Falcon 1e Rocket Replaces Cheaper Falcon 1

摘要

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., will replace its Falcon 1 rocket by the end of2010 with the more capable and more expensive Falcon le rocket, the company said Aug. 6.rnThe upgraded version of the rocket uses a more powerful engine than the one originally designed for Falcon 1 and will be able to put larger, heavier payloads into orbit. A Falcon le launch will cost "under $11 million," Rob Peckham, SpaceX vice president of business development, said in an e-mailed response to questions. Originally marketed as a $6-million rocket, SpaceX more recently pegged a Falcon 1 launch at $8 million.