Which specific propellant combination famously powers the first stage engines of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket?

Answer

Liquid Oxygen ($ ext{LOX}$) and RP-1

SpaceX's Falcon 9 first stage utilizes a combination of Liquid Oxygen ($ ext{LOX}$) as the oxidizer and RP-1 as the fuel. RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene, similar to jet fuel. This pairing represents a deliberate trade-off in engine design philosophy compared to the higher-performing, but more difficult to handle, $ ext{LH}_2/ ext{LOX}$ system. Although RP-1 yields a lower specific impulse than hydrogen, its superior density allows the fuel tanks to be structurally smaller and lighter for the same mass of energy stored. This density simplifies the overall vehicle structure and reduces complexity associated with containing super-cold cryogenic fuels.

Which specific propellant combination famously powers the first stage engines of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket?

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