Medium-lift launch vehicle

Summary

A medium-lift launch vehicle (MLV) is a rocket launch vehicle that is capable of lifting between 2,000 to 20,000 kg (4,400 to 44,100 lb) by NASA classification or between 5,000 to 20,000 kilograms (11,000 to 44,000 lb) by Russian classification[1] of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO).[2] An MLV is between small-lift launch vehicles and heavy-lift launch vehicles.

Clockwise from top left: Falcon 9, Soyuz-2, LVM3, Nuri, H-IIA, Long March 2D
Class overview
NameMedium-lift launch vehicle
Preceded bySmall-lift launch vehicle
Succeeded byHeavy-lift launch vehicle
BuiltSince 1958
General characteristics
Capacity
  • US definition: 2,000 to 20,000 kg (4,400 to 44,100 lb)
  • Russian definition: 5,000 to 20,000 kg (11,000 to 44,000 lb)

Rated launch vehicles

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Operational

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Under development

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Retired

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Notes

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  1. ^ When launched with an expendable first stage, Falcon 9 has the capacity of a heavy-lift launch vehicle
  2. ^ A suborbital test flight was conducted in 2004, without the upper stage.
  3. ^ a b A suborbital test flight was conducted in 2014, without the upper stage.
  4. ^ A flight in 2021 failed to reach orbit.
  5. ^ The lead manufacturer is from Italy, but the rocket has significant contributions from companies based in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine.
  6. ^ The lead manufacturer is from France, but the rocket has significant contributions from companies based in Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden.
  7. ^ Some vehicles were made by multiple manufacturers during their lifespan due to mergers and acquisitions. For brevity, only the final manufacturer is shown.
  8. ^ The lead manufacturer is from France, but the rocket has significant contributions from companies based across Europe.
  9. ^ The lead manufacturer is from France, but the rocket has significant contributions from companies based across Europe.
  10. ^ When launched with an expendable first stage, Falcon 9 Full Thrust has the capacity of a heavy-lift launch vehicle

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Osipov, Yuri (2004–2017). Great Russian Encyclopedia. Moscow: Great Russian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  2. ^ NASA Space Technology Roadmaps – Launch Propulsion Systems, p.11 Archived 24 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine: "Small: 0-2t payloads, Medium: 2-20t payloads, Heavy: 20-50t payloads, Super Heavy: >50t payloads"
  3. ^ "Angara Launch Vehicle Family". Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Rocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test Campaign". www.businesswire.com. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Medium Launch Vehicle". Firefly Aerospace. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b Jones, Andrew (11 December 2023). "China's (reusable) rocket race heats up with new hop test". SpaceNews. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  7. ^ "三年回望:我们为什么坚定投资星河动力" [Three-year review: Why we firmly invest in Galactic Energy]. 3sNews (in Chinese). Taibo. 20 February 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  8. ^ Jones, Andrew (22 July 2023). "Galactic Energy registers sixth consecutive successful launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Tsiklon-2". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Tsiklon-4". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Tsyklon-4M (Cyclone-4M) prepares a move to Canada".
  12. ^ "N-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  13. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "Antares (Taurus-2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  14. ^ "SpaceX and Cape Canaveral Return to Action with First Operational Starlink Mission". NASASpaceFlight.com. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  15. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Telstar 19V (Telstar 19 Vantage)". Gunter's Space Page. Gunter. Retrieved 7 August 2018.