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HDE 226868
HDE 226868
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geoffc
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Other than then N-1 (30 engines) has there been a single stage of a rocket with more engines than a Falcon 9?

The Saturn V had 5 engines (F-1) on the first stage, five engines on the second stage (J-2). The N-1 had 30 engines on its first stage (NK-15).

The Falcon 9 (1.0 and 1.1) have 9 Merlin 1 engines on the first stage. (Merlin 1C on F9 1.0, and Merlin 1D on F9 1.1).

Are there any stages on other launchers with more than 9, or even close to 9 engines? (Not in design phase, but metal bent, and possibly an attempt at a launch. Can't ask for success since that kicks out the N-1, just an attempt will make me happy).

I cannot think of any currently launching, but in the past? How would I count the Falcon Heavy with 27 engines firing at liftoff? I think like I would count a Atlas V 551 with 5 GEM Solid rockets firing, as not counting as on a single stage. Same as Energia with 4 strapon Zenit boosters would not really count. Energia would thus have had 4 engines on the first stage.