The Space Shuttle program featured the first reusable spacecraft, SpaceX continues the tradition of reusable spacecraft. With the Falcon 9 Rocket Series, SpaceX demonstrates that it is possible to launch, land, and reuse a rocket.

Continuing the Tradition
On June 3, 2017, A Falcon 9 rocket (B1035) launched a Dragon capsule, filled with supplies, to the International Space Station (ISS). After lifting the Dragon capsule into orbit, B1035 returned safely to Earth. Marking the first time that a reuseable rocket stage transported supplies to the ISS.

B1035 is about 156 feet long, 12 feet in diameter, houses nine Merlin 1D engines. The booster is equiped with extendable landing legs that deploy when the booster returns to Earth, during the approach two retro burns are performed to ease the rocket into a safe landing. B1035 flew its second, and final, mission on Dec. 15, 2017.

Plan your visit to Space Center Houston and get a close-up view of the future with this space-flown marvel. The Falcon 9 First-Stage Booster is on display near Independence Plaza at Space Center Houston and is included with your general admission ticket.