Comparison of heavy lift launch systems

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For this article, heavy lift launch systems are determined as being those capable of lifting at least 20,000 kg to low Earth orbit.

Vehicle Space Agency Manufacturer Mass to
LEO
(kg)		 Mass to
GTO
(kg)		 Cost
(Mil US$)		 Cost/kg
(LEO)		 Cost/kg
(GTO)		 Record Status
Angara A5 RVSN/RSA Khrunichev 24,500 6,600 0/0 Development
Ares V NASA Alliant Techsystems
TBD (Stage two)		 130,000 0/0 Development
Ariane 5 ECA Flag of Europe ESA EADS Astrium 21,000[1] 9,600 [2] 12/13 Operational
Ariane 5 ES ATV Flag of Europe ESA EADS Astrium 21,000[1] 8,000 [2] 1/1 Operational
Delta IV Heavy NASA United Launch Alliance 22,950[3] 12,980[3] 1/2 Operational
Energia Flag of the Soviet Union RVSN NPO Energia 30,000 - 98,000[4] 1/2[5][6]
[dubious – discuss]		 Retired
Falcon 9 Heavy NASA SpaceX 27,500[7] 12,000[7] 90[7] 3,273 7,500 0/0 Development
Long March 5 CNSA 25,000[8] 14,000[8] 0/0 Development
N1 Flag of the Soviet Union RVSN NPO Energia 70,000 0/4 Retired
Proton Flag of the Soviet Union/Flag of Russia RVSN Khrunichev 21,600 [9] 6,000 85 [10] 4,302 [10] 18,359 [10] 290/330 Operational
Space Shuttle NASA Thiokol (SRBs)
Martin Marietta (ET)
Rockwell International (Orbiter)		 24,400 3,810* 300 [10] 10,416 [10] 50,874* [10] 118/120[11] Operational
Saturn V NASA Boeing (S-IC)
North American (S-II)
Douglas (S-IVB)		 118,000 12/12 Retired
Saturn INT-21 NASA Boeing (S-IC)
North American (S-II)		 75,000 1/1 Retired
Titan IVB NASA Lockheed Martin 21,682[12] 5,761[12]
(9,000 with upper stage)		 250 - 350[12] 11,530 - 13,836 43,395 - 60,753 15/17 Retired
* - with upper stage

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Ariane 5 Users Manual, Issue 4, P. 39 (ISS orbit). Arianespace. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  2. ^ a b Ariane 5 ECA Overview. Arianespace. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  3. ^ a b Delta Product Sheet, FINAL. United Launch Alliance. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  4. ^ S.P.Korolev RSC Energia - LAUNCHERS. Energia.
  5. ^ Petrovitch, Vassili. Polyus Description.
  6. ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica - Energia
  7. ^ a b c FALCON 9 HEAVY OVERVIEW. SpaceX. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
  8. ^ a b "New carrier rocket series to be built", CHINAdaily, 2007-10-31. Retrieved on 2007-11-12. 
  9. ^ Proton Launch System Mission Planner’s Guide, LKEB-9812-1990. International Launch Services. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Space Transportation Costs: Trends in Price Per Pound to Orbit 1990-2000. Futron. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  11. ^ Space Launch Report - Active Launch Vehicle Reliability Statistics
  12. ^ a b c Fact Sheet - TITAN IVB. United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
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