What fuel does Falcon use?
SpaceX's Falcon rockets use RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen, while Dassault's Falcon business jets rely on Jet A-1 aviation fuel. The exact fuel depends on which Falcon platform is in question.
The name “Falcon” covers more than one family of vehicles. This article outlines the fuel choices for the two most prominent Falcon platforms: SpaceX’s rockets and Dassault’s civil aircraft.
SpaceX Falcon rockets
SpaceX’s Falcon line, including Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, relies on a kerosene-based fuel system paired with liquid oxygen as the oxidizer. The Merlin engines burn RP-1/LOX, a combination chosen for performance, reusability, and cost efficiency across booster and upper-stage operations.
Propellant basics
Key facts about Falcon propellants and engine design:
- Fuel: RP-1, a refined kerosene; Oxidizer: liquid oxygen (LOX).
- Engines: Merlin family burn RP-1/LOX and power both stages of Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy core cores.
- Operational rationale: RP-1/LOX offers a good balance of density, energy, and reusability for horizontal landing and repeated flights.
Conclusion: RP-1/LOX is the defining propellant combination for the SpaceX Falcon family.
Dassault Falcon business jets
Dassault’s Falcon family—ranging from mid-size to long-range business jets—uses Jet A-1 aviation fuel, the global standard for civil turbine-powered aircraft. Jet A-1 is a kerosene-based fuel formulated for reliable engine performance and wide airport compatibility.
Fuel characteristics
Important points about Jet A-1 and its use in Falcon jets:
- Jet A-1 is a kerosene-based aviation fuel with a freezing point of -47°C, lower than the US Jet A (-40°C), enabling reliability in cold, high-altitude flight.
- Jet A-1 is the standard fuel for Dassault Falcons and most civil turbine aircraft worldwide.
- Engines on Falcon jets are certified to operate exclusively on Jet A-1 (and similar aviation kerosenes); mixing automotive fuels or other grades is not permitted.
Conclusion: Jet A-1 is the standard fuel for the Dassault Falcon line and is designed for global civil aviation operations.
Summary
When someone asks “What fuel does Falcon use?” the answer depends on which Falcon is in question. In spaceflight discussions, Falcon refers to SpaceX rockets that burn RP-1 kerosene with liquid oxygen. In aviation discussions, Falcon refers to Dassault business jets that run on Jet A-1 aviation fuel. Both platforms share a name but use distinctly different propellant systems tailored to their operational contexts.
