Flight hardware for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has arrived at its Florida facility in preparation for launch.

Falcon 9 is a two-stage, liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) powered launch vehicle.

The firm will carry out full integration of the rocket following the delivery, which includes the rocket’s second stage.

The rocket will also house a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit and will be subjected to static firing to demonstrate flight readiness and confirm operation of ground control systems.

Under a $1.9bn contract, Falcon 9 and the Dragon spacecraft will resupply the International Space Station (ISS) after the shuttle missions.

The rocket and the spacecraft will conduct at least 12 flights carrying a minimum of around 20t of cargo to and from the ISS.

The first demonstration flight will begin this year.