Falcon 9 Block 5 is a partially reusable two-stage-to-orbit medium-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured in the United States by SpaceX. It is the fifth version of Falcon 9 Full Thrust, powered by SpaceX Merlin engines burning rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX).
The Block 5 variant of the Falcon 9 launching Crew Dragon during the Demo-2 mission from Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020. The rocket's distinguishing black thermal-protection coating on the interstage is discernible.
Bangladeshi satellite Bangabandhu-1 is the first payload launched by Falcon 9 Block 5.
Medium-lift launch vehicle
A medium-lift launch vehicle (MLV) is a rocket launch vehicle that is capable of lifting between 2,000 to 20,000 kg by NASA classification or between 5,000 to 20,000 kilograms by Russian classification of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO). An MLV is between small-lift launch vehicles and heavy-lift launch vehicles.
Image: Falcon 9 Demo 2 Launching 6 (3)
Image: Soyuz 2 metop
Image: PSLV C 35 at the launch pad (cropped)
Image: Long March 2D launching VRSS 1