---
title: "The Digest: SpaceX Just Launched a Last-of-Its-Kind Falcon Rocket"
description: "Today marked the final launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket, with all future Falcon launches to make use of a Block 5 version."
date: "2018-06-29"
modified: "2018-06-29"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/falcon-9-block-4-launch-spacex"
categories:
  - "Falcon"
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
tags:
  - "elon musk"
  - "falcon 9"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "the digest"
---

# The Digest: SpaceX Just Launched a Last-of-Its-Kind Falcon Rocket

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/25557987937_0e0c6c6893_k-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/25557987937/in/dateposted/" target="\_blank"\>SpaceX/Flickr\</a\>\</em\>*

**SAYING GOODBYE.** At 5:42 am EDT Friday, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Everything went according to plan; the only things that blew up were the ones that should blow up. At the time of writing, the rocket is helping its payload — the Dragon capsule — enter low Earth orbit. By Monday, it should rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS), dropping off 5,900 pounds' worth of supplies and gear in what's now become a somewhat-routine mission for SpaceX.

While the objective itself isn't necessarily anything out of the ordinary, today's launch *was* special for SpaceX: it marked the last time the company would launch a Falcon 9 Block 4.

**A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FALCON 9.** The Falcon 9 is SpaceX's workhorse rocket, completing 55 successful missions since its initial launch in 2010. In December 2015, the launch of the Falcon 9 v1.2, also known as the Falcon 9 Full Thrust, kicked off the era of the reusable rocket.

SpaceX started launching updated versions of the first Falcon 9 Full Thrust, known as Block 3, in 2017, eventually landing on its Block 4 design. SpaceX had already [announced in 2016](<https://www.geekwire.com/2016/spacex-elon-musk-geeks-out-mars-reddit/>) that it had plans for a Block 5 version, and the company [successfully launched](<https://www.space.com/40582-elon-musk-explains-spacex-falcon-9-block-5.html>) the first Falcon 9 Block 5 on May 11 this year.

**A BETTER BLOCK.** In a [briefing with reporters](<https://www.space.com/40582-elon-musk-explains-spacex-falcon-9-block-5.html>) just prior to the first Falcon 9 Block 5 launch, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said it would be the final version of the Falcon 9. He also described the various ways it was an improvement over its predecessors.

Block 5 is about twice as powerful as the Falcon 9 that first launched in 2010, according to Musk. It is also far more reusable than the Block 3 and Block 4 versions. SpaceX has never launched a Falcon 9 rocket more than twice (though Musk estimates a Falcon 9 Block 4 could probably launch upwards of 10 times with enough maintenance).

In contrast, a Block 5 should be able to launch 10 times with *no* refurbishment — just like an airplane. With *some* refurbishment every 10 or so launches, Musk estimates the rocket could handle *100 flights*. The potential cost savings for a rocket that reusable [are staggering](<https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/9/17254384/spacex-falcon-9-block-5-upgrade-rocket-reusability-savings>).

**LOOKING AHEAD.** Now that SpaceX is officially retiring Block 4, it can focus on completing the seven successful launches Block 5 needs for NASA to allow it to carry people. SpaceX's goal is to knock those out by December so it can launch its first crewed [Dragon capsule](<https://futurism.com/spacexs-dragon-capsule-was-recovered-from-the-pacific-after-a-successful-mission>) before the [end of the year](<http://www.spacex.com/dragon>). So, while today's launch marked an end to one era of SpaceX rocketry, it opens the door for us to enter the next.

**READ MORE:** [SpaceX Is About to Launch Its Final Block 4 Falcon](<https://www.wired.com/story/spacex-is-about-to-launch-its-final-block-4-falcon/>) \[Wired\]

*Update June 29, 2018 at 5:54 AM ET:*

The Dragon capsule has successfully entered orbit to rendezvous with the ISS in a matter of three days, and has unfurled its solar arrays to power its three day trip. By Monday morning Pacific time (about 5:30 AM ET), it should be close enough for the Canadarm of the ISS to pluck it out of empty space.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)