Skip to content
79,433 pages · 13,741 images · since 1994 Browse A–Z Today in space history
Encyclopedia Astronautica The full story of spaceflight
Encyclopedia entry

Merlin 1Cvac

Engine · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

SpaceX LOx/Kerosene rocket engine. Hardware. Upper stage version of the Merlin developed for the Falcon 9 second stage. Based on the Merlin 1C and using a regeneratively cooled combustion chamber. First flight 2009.

However, the vacuum engine featured a larger exhaust section than the Merlin 1C and a much larger radiatively cooled expansion nozzle, in order to maximize performance in the vacuum of space.

Propellant Formulation: Lox/RP-1. Chamber Pressure: 40.81 bar. Area Ratio: 8.2. Thrust to Weight Ratio: 70.66.

Country
USA
Propellants
Lox/Kerosene
Agency
SpaceX