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PROPULSIVE LANDING
Merlin Engine Relight System
Mass
45 kg
Dimensions
Integrated into engine igniter assembly
Material
Inconel 718, OFHC Copper
First Use
Sep 29, 2013
Usage Statistics
300
Successful Uses
99%
Success Rate
How It Works
TEA-TEB hypergolic fluid is injected into the combustion chamber to initiate ignition of the RP-1/LOX propellants, enabling three sequential relights: boostback (3 engines), entry (3 engines), and landing (1 engine).
Key Specifications
Relights per flight3
Ignition typeTEA-TEB hypergolic
Landing burn duration~20 seconds
Landing thrust~570 kN (single engine)
Compatible Vehicles
Falcon 9 Block 5Falcon Heavy
Details
The Merlin engine relight system enables the Falcon 9 first stage to perform three critical burns after stage separation: boostback, entry, and landing. The TEA-TEB (triethylaluminium-triethylborane) hypergolic ignition system can restart the engines multiple times in flight. This triple-burn profile is the core innovation enabling Falcon 9 propulsive landing.
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