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Small-lift launch vehicle
Rocket able to lift less than 2,000 kg to low Earth orbit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A small-lift launch vehicle is a rocket orbital launch vehicle that is capable of lifting 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb) or less (by NASA classification) or under 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb) (by Roscosmos classification)[1] of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO). Small launch vehicles can meet the requirements of some spacecraft and can be less expensive than a larger launch vehicle would be.[2] The next larger category is medium-lift launch vehicles.[3]
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Small-lift launch vehicle |
| Preceded by | Sounding rocket |
| Succeeded by | Medium-lift launch vehicle |
| Built | Since 1957 |
| General characteristics | |
| Capacity |
|
History
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The first small-lift launch vehicle was the Sputnik rocket, launched by the Soviet Union, which was derived from the R-7 Semyorka ICBM. On 4 October 1957, the Sputnik rocket was used to perform the world's first satellite launch, placing the Sputnik 1 satellite into a low Earth orbit.[4][5][6] The US responded by attempting to launch the Vanguard rocket.[7][8] However, the Vanguard TV3 launch attempt failed, with the 31 January 1958 launch of the Explorer 1 satellite using the Juno I rocket being the first successful US orbital launch. The Vanguard I mission was the second successful US orbital launch. This was the start of the space race.[9][10]
Since the late 1950s, small-lift launch vehicles have continued launching payloads into orbits including LEO, Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), and geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Medium-lift launch vehicles, heavy-lift launch vehicles, and super heavy-lift launch vehicles have also been extensively developed but have not completely superseded small launch vehicles.
Rated launch vehicles
Operational
Under development
Retired
Notes
- OS-M1 Variant of OS-M was launched
- Includes 2 Kuaizhou-1 launches and 26 Kuaizhou-1A launches.
- The lead manufacturer is from Italy, but the rocket has significant contributions from companies based in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine.
See also
- Sounding rocket, suborbital launch vehicle
- Medium-lift launch vehicle, capable of lifting between 2,000 and 20,000 kg to low Earth orbit
- Heavy lift launch vehicle, capable of lifting between 20,000 and 50,000 kg to low Earth orbit
- Super heavy-lift launch vehicles, capable of lifting more than 50,000 kg (110,000 lb) to low Earth orbit
- Comparison of orbital launch systems
- List of orbital launch systems
- Comparison of orbital rocket engines
- Comparison of space station cargo vehicles
- Rocket
- Spacecraft propulsion