Falcon 9 & IXPE

By Eduarddo

Falcon 9 Block 5 is a partially reusable two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured in the United States by SpaceX. It is the fifth version of Falcon 9 Full Thrust, powered by SpaceX Merlin engines burning rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX).

The main changes from Block 3 to Block 5 are higher-thrust engines and improvements to the landing legs. Numerous other small changes helped streamline recovery and re-usability of first-stage boosters, increase production rate, and optimize re-usability. Each Block 5 booster is designed to fly 10 times with only minor attention and up to 100 times with refurbishment.[11]

In 2018, Falcon 9 Block 5 succeeded the transitional Block 4 version. The maiden flight launched the satellite Bangabandhu-1 on May 11, 2018. The CRS-15 mission on June 29, 2018 was the last Block 4 version of Falcon 9 to be launched. This was the transition to an all-Block 5 fleet.

IXPE

Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, commonly known as IXPE or SMEX-14, is a space observatory with three identical telescopes designed to measure the polarization of cosmic X-rays of black holes, neutron stars, and pulsars. The observatory, which was launched on 9 December 2021, is an international collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). It is part of NASA's Explorers program, which designs low-cost spacecraft to study heliophysics and astrophysics.

Credits of this construction to my friend Guiih

How do you land?

Com, this version does not have 100% landing accuracy but it is possible. Just follow some instructions:

>Perform interstage separation with 10% propellant still in the first stage
>Burn from 10% propellant, up to 5%
>Make an entry burn at around 60km altitude, and unlike real life, use up to 5 engines*
**>After the entry burn, make sure the speed is less than 1000m/s, and the height is greater than 20km
>When doing Entry Burn, slow down using physics, i.e. swing Booster to slow down.
>If you want to try landing with one engine, 1% fuel is fine, but if you prefer 3, 4-5% is fine.
>With a single engine, you will not be able to land if your speed exceeds 200 m/s