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SpaceX's journey into rocket engine development began with the Merlin engine, which, despite its early limitations in power and efficiency, allowed the company to focus on producing a simple yet effective design. The original Merlin engine produced a modest 340 kN (76,000 lbs) of thrust. However, due to its simplicity, the design could be easily refined, eventually culminating in the much more powerful and efficient Merlin 1D engine, which boasts 845 kN (190,000 lbs) of thrust.