List of worlds largest space launch systems (updated for 2016)

[500]

Since I made my old thread appeared 3 totally new systems (Long March 5, Long March 7, Angara A5) + 1 modification (Falcon 9 FT). So I decided to made a new one:


1. Saturn V (USA)

Weight - 2,965 t,
Height - 110.6 m
Payload to LEO - 118,000 kg
1967-1973

13 successful launches (one partial). Including 6 lunar landings and 3 lunar orbits. Retired.

2. N1 (USSR)

Weight - 2,735 t
Height - 105.3 m
Payload to LEO - 90,000 kg
1969-1972

Part of Soviet moon program. All 4 launches have failed.

3. Energia (USSR)

Weight - 2,400 t
Height - 59 m
Payload to LEO - 105,000 kg
1987-1988

2 successful launches. Retired.

4. Space Shuttle (USA)

Weight - 2,030 t
Height - 56,1 m
Payload to LEO - 109,000 kg/24,400 kg
1981-2011

135 launches total. 1 failed launch and 1 failed landing. Retired.

5. Titan IV (USA)

Weight - 943 t
Height - 44 m
Payload to LEO - 21,680 kg
1989-2005

The last and biggest member of Titan family. 39 launches, 4 failures. Retired.

6. Long March 5 (China)

Weight - 879 t
Height - 57 m
Payload to LEO - 25,000 kg
2016-*

1 successful launch so far.

The largest currently active system in the world.

7. Ariane V (Europe)

Weight - 777 t
Height - 59 m
Payload to LEO - 21,000 kg
1996-*

Active. 88 launches, 2 failures, 2 partial failures.

8. Angara A5 (Russia)

Weight - 773 t
Height - 55.2 m
Payload to LEO - 24,500 kg
2014-*

Active. 1 successful launch.

 

[500]

9. Delta IV Heavy (USA)

Weight - 733 t
Height - 72 m
Payload to LEO - 22,560 kg
2004-*

The largest member of Delta IV family (Delta IV family is completely different from previous Delta series). 9 total launches, 1 partial failure. The only rocket with all stages based on LH2, including boosters. Active.

10. Proton-M (USSR/Russia)

Weight - 705 t
Height - 58.2 m
Payload to LEO - 23,000 kg
1965/2001-*

Active. 98 total launches, 9 failures, 1 partial failure (all versions of Proton had total 412 launches, including 47 failures).

11. Long March 7 (China)

Weight - 594 t
Height - 53.1 m
Payload to LEO - 13,500 kg
2016 -*

Active. 1 successful launch.

12. Saturn IB (USA)

Weight - 590 t
Height - 51 m
Payload to LEO - 18,600 kg
1966-1975

9 successful launches. Retired.

13. Atlas V 551 (USA)

Weight - 587 t
Height - 62.2 m
Payload to LEO - 18,500 kg
2002/2006-*

Atlas V had 65 launches with 1 partial failure. Atlas V 551 had 7 successful launches. Active.

14. Falcon 9 FT (USA)

Weight - 549 t
Height - 70 m
Payload to LEO - 18,500 kg
2010/2015-*

Active. 29 launches total, 2 failures, 1 partial failure.

15. H-IIB (Japan)

Weight - 531 t
Height - 56.6 m
Payload to LEO - 19,000 kg
2009-*

Active. Developed from H-II/A with two first stage engines instead of 1. 5 successful launches.

16. Zenit-3F (USSR/Ukraine/Russia)

Weight - 471 t
Height - 59.6 m
Payload to LEO - 13,740 kg
1985-*

Active. 3 successful launches. All versions of Zenit had total 83 launches, 10 failures and 3 partial failures.

 

[500]

17. Ariane 44L (Europe)

Weight - 470 t
Height - 58.4 m
Payload to LEO - 10,200 kg
1988-2003

Derived from Ariane III. 116 launches total, 3 failures. Retired.

18. Long March 2F (China)

Weight - 464 t
Height - 62 m
Payload to LEO - 8,400 kg
1999-*

13 successful launches. Very similar in size and design to cargo Long March 3B (458 t, payload to LEO 12,000 kg) with 36 launches, 1 failure and 1 partial failure. Both active.

19. GSLV (India)

Weight - 415 t
Height - 49.1 m
Payload to LEO - 5,000+ kg
2001-*

Active. 10 launches total, 4 failures, 1 partial failure.

20. Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) (USA)

Weight - 405 t
Height - 65.9 m
Payload to LEO - 14,140 kg
2003/2009-*

Active. 5 successful launches (all versions of Delta IV Medium had 32 successful launches total).

21. Soyuz-U (USSR/Russia)

Weight - 313 t
Height - 51.1 m
Payload to LEO - 6,900 kg
1973-*

The largest member of Soyuz and R-7 family. 784 launches 21 failures. The most launched space system ever. Active.

The entire R-7 family had 1811 orbital launches so far including 1708 successful.
The Soyuz family had 1017 launches including 990 successful.

22. Delta III 8000 (USA)

Weight - 301 t
Height - 35 m
Payload to LEO - 8,290 kg
1998-2000

Derived from successful Delta II family but much heavier. 3 launches with 2 failures and 1 partial success. Retired.

 

[amardeep mishra]

19. GSLV (India)

Hi dear @500
India has GSLV MK3 as well that can take 8000kgs into LEO and 4000-5000kgs in GTO in itz current form. However once ISRO replace the main stage that currently uses vikas engine with SCE-200(under advanced stages of development),then the payload capacity will go upto 6000-7000kgs in GTO and 12000kgs in LEO.
In fact based on a lot of open seminars ISRO is working to further enhance the capacity of the MK3 launcher to over 12000kgs in GTO.

 

[Genesis]

Hi dear @500
India has GSLV MK3 as well that can take 8000kgs into LEO and 4000-5000kgs in GTO in itz current form. However once ISRO replace the main stage that currently uses vikas engine with SCE-200(under advanced stages of development),then the payload capacity will go upto 6000-7000kgs in GTO and 12000kgs in LEO.
In fact based on a lot of open seminars ISRO is working to further enhance the capacity of the MK3 launcher to over 12000kgs in GTO.

You need to have made at least one successful launch to be on this list. The MK3 does boast 8,000 kg, however, with the way things look, you still be 19th. No change in ranking.

 

[amardeep mishra]

You need to have made at least one successful launch to be on this list. The MK3 does boast 8,000 kg, however, with the way things look, you still be 19th. No change in ranking.

Hi dear @Genesis
The first successful launch of MK3 took place on 18th december 2014! Kindly google before you make a statement. Second launch featuring fully functional "gas generator" based cryogenic engine 220kN of thrust will take place this december. I happen to have interacted with a lot of ISRO folks here and have attended a couple of seminars. In fact couple of weeks back there was a seminar here at IIT madras wherein Chairman ISRO delivered lecture.

 

[Genesis]

Hi dear @Genesis
The first successful launch of MK3 took place on 18th december 2014! Kindly google before you make a statement. Second launch featuring fully functional "gas generator" based cryogenic engine 220kN of thrust will take place this december. I happen to have interacted with a lot of ISRO folks here and have attended a couple of seminars. In fact couple of weeks back there was a seminar here at IIT madras wherein Chairman ISRO delivered lecture.

I am aware, hence the second sentence. What I'm referring to is the improved versions that have not been launched.

 

[amardeep mishra]

I am aware, hence the second sentence. What I'm referring to is the improved versions that have not been launched.

My point was GSLV MK 3, launch has been successful. The new launcher will only enhance its capacity especially when SCE 200 comes online. It'll be more powerful than the Chinese semi cryogenic engine .Ours will have 2000kN thrust

 

[Śakra]

why are payload sizes decreasing as we move away from the 1950s?

 

[Genesis]

why are payload sizes decreasing as we move away from the 1950s?

America was spending an arm and a leg to pay for those. We can sill do it, but now we do what we can with pocket change. Check the budget as a percentage of GDP.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_of_NASA

My point was GSLV MK 3, launch has been successful. The new launcher will only enhance its capacity especially when SCE 200 comes online. It'll be more powerful than the Chinese semi cryogenic engine .Ours will have 2000kN thrust

It has not come online. Sure, it can be more powerful, but ours is operational today. Also, by then our next generation rocket will also be here. See the problem, if we go by what may or may not happen in the future, then we are not ranking anything. We are guessing.

Like any sports league, the MVP is not given to who is going to be the best, but who is the best.

 

[Dungeness]

Hi dear @Genesis
The first successful launch of MK3 took place on 18th december 2014! Kindly google before you make a statement. Second launch featuring fully functional "gas generator" based cryogenic engine 220kN of thrust will take place this december. I happen to have interacted with a lot of ISRO folks here and have attended a couple of seminars. In fact couple of weeks back there was a seminar here at IIT madras wherein Chairman ISRO delivered lecture.

It was a suborbital launch and the launch vehicle didn't equip a upper stage.

 

[500]

Updated list only with active launchers:


1. Long March 5 (China)

Weight - 879 t
Height - 57 m
Payload to LEO - 25,000 kg
2016-*

1 successful launch so far.

2. Ariane V (Europe)

Weight - 777 t
Height - 59 m
Payload to LEO - 21,000 kg
1996-*

93 launches, 2 failures, 2 partial failures.

3. Angara A5 (Russia)

Weight - 773 t
Height - 55.2 m
Payload to LEO - 24,500 kg
2014-*

1 successful launch.

4. Delta IV Heavy (USA)

Weight - 733 t
Height - 72 m
Payload to LEO - 22,560 kg
2004-*

9 total launches, 1 partial failure. The only rocket with all stages based on LH2, including boosters.

5. Proton-M (USSR/Russia)

Weight - 705 t
Height - 58.2 m
Payload to LEO - 23,000 kg
1965/2001-*

99 total launches, 9 failures, 1 partial failure (all versions of Proton had total 413 launches, including 47 failures).

6. GSLV Mk III (India)

Weight - 640 t
Height - 43.43 m
Payload to LEO - 8,000 kg
2017 -*

1 Successful launch

7. Long March 7 (China)

Weight - 594 t
Height - 53.1 m
Payload to LEO - 13,500 kg
2016 -*

2 successful launches.

8. Atlas V 551 (USA)

Weight - 587 t
Height - 62.2 m
Payload to LEO - 18,500 kg
2002/2006-*

Atlas V had 71 launches with 1 partial failure. Atlas V 551 had 7 successful launches.

9. Falcon 9 FT (USA)

Weight - 549 t
Height - 70 m
Payload to LEO - 18,500 kg
2010/2015-*

36 launches total, 2 failures, 1 partial failure.

10. H-IIB (Japan)

Weight - 531 t
Height - 56.6 m
Payload to LEO - 19,000 kg
2009-*

Developed from H-II/A with two first stage engines instead of one. 6 successful launches.

11. Zenit-3F (USSR/Ukraine/Russia)

Weight - 471 t
Height - 59.6 m
Payload to LEO - 13,740 kg
1985-*

3 successful launches. All versions of Zenit had total 83 launches, 10 failures and 3 partial failures.

12. Long March 2F (China)

Weight - 464 t
Height - 62 m
Payload to LEO - 8,400 kg
1999-*

13 successful launches. Very similar in size and design to cargo Long March 3B (458 t, payload to LEO 12,000 kg) with 39 launches, 1 failure and 1 partial failure.

13. GSLV (India)

Weight - 415 t
Height - 49.1 m
Payload to LEO - 5,000+ kg
2001-*

Active. 11 launches total, 4 failures, 1 partial failure.

14. Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) (USA)

Weight - 405 t
Height - 65.9 m
Payload to LEO - 14,140 kg
2003/2009-*

Active. 7 successful launches (all versions of Delta IV Medium had 26 successful launches total).

15. Soyuz-U (USSR/Russia)

Weight - 313 t
Height - 51.1 m
Payload to LEO - 6,900 kg
1973-*

The largest member of Soyuz and R-7 family. 786 launches 21 failures. The most launched space system ever.

The entire R-7 family had 1813 orbital launches so far including 1708 successful.
The Soyuz family had 1019 launches including 990 successful.

 

[oFFbEAT]

Updated list only with active launchers:


1. Long March 5 (China)

Weight - 879 t
Height - 57 m
Payload to LEO - 25,000 kg
2016-*

1 successful launch so far.

2. Ariane V (Europe)

Weight - 777 t
Height - 59 m
Payload to LEO - 21,000 kg
1996-*

93 launches, 2 failures, 2 partial failures.

3. Angara A5 (Russia)

Weight - 773 t
Height - 55.2 m
Payload to LEO - 24,500 kg
2014-*

1 successful launch.

4. Delta IV Heavy (USA)

Weight - 733 t
Height - 72 m
Payload to LEO - 22,560 kg
2004-*

9 total launches, 1 partial failure. The only rocket with all stages based on LH2, including boosters.

5. Proton-M (USSR/Russia)

Weight - 705 t
Height - 58.2 m
Payload to LEO - 23,000 kg
1965/2001-*

99 total launches, 9 failures, 1 partial failure (all versions of Proton had total 413 launches, including 47 failures).

6. GSLV Mk III (India)

View attachment 402519

Weight - 640 t
Height - 43.43 m
Payload to LEO - 8,000 kg
2017 -*

1 Successful launch

7. Long March 7 (China)

Weight - 594 t
Height - 53.1 m
Payload to LEO - 13,500 kg
2016 -*

2 successful launches.

8. Atlas V 551 (USA)

Weight - 587 t
Height - 62.2 m
Payload to LEO - 18,500 kg
2002/2006-*

Atlas V had 71 launches with 1 partial failure. Atlas V 551 had 7 successful launches.

9. Falcon 9 FT (USA)

Weight - 549 t
Height - 70 m
Payload to LEO - 18,500 kg
2010/2015-*

36 launches total, 2 failures, 1 partial failure.

10. H-IIB (Japan)

Weight - 531 t
Height - 56.6 m
Payload to LEO - 19,000 kg
2009-*

Developed from H-II/A with two first stage engines instead of one. 6 successful launches.

11. Zenit-3F (USSR/Ukraine/Russia)

Weight - 471 t
Height - 59.6 m
Payload to LEO - 13,740 kg
1985-*

3 successful launches. All versions of Zenit had total 83 launches, 10 failures and 3 partial failures.

12. Long March 2F (China)

Weight - 464 t
Height - 62 m
Payload to LEO - 8,400 kg
1999-*

13 successful launches. Very similar in size and design to cargo Long March 3B (458 t, payload to LEO 12,000 kg) with 39 launches, 1 failure and 1 partial failure.

13. GSLV (India)

Weight - 415 t
Height - 49.1 m
Payload to LEO - 5,000+ kg
2001-*

Active. 11 launches total, 4 failures, 1 partial failure.

14. Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) (USA)

Weight - 405 t
Height - 65.9 m
Payload to LEO - 14,140 kg
2003/2009-*

Active. 7 successful launches (all versions of Delta IV Medium had 26 successful launches total).

15. Soyuz-U (USSR/Russia)

Weight - 313 t
Height - 51.1 m
Payload to LEO - 6,900 kg
1973-*

The largest member of Soyuz and R-7 family. 786 launches 21 failures. The most launched space system ever.

The entire R-7 family had 1813 orbital launches so far including 1708 successful.
The Soyuz family had 1019 launches including 990 successful.

Please rank them in order, according to payload capacity and successful launches......that way, it would be easier to compare and comprehend (don't mind the Indian fanboys bugging you to improve GSLV's rank).

My point was GSLV MK 3, launch has been successful. The new launcher will only enhance its capacity especially when SCE 200 comes online. It'll be more powerful than the Chinese semi cryogenic engine .Ours will have 2000kN thrust

Every country is trying to enhance the capability of their launchers. Should the rankings be based on current capability or estimated future capability??
Yes, I understand that, with few modifications GSLV is going to be more powerful, but let those happen first, Let GSLV fly successfully with those modifications......until then, please 'hold your horses'.

 

[I S I]

Thanks @500
Very informative.

Please rank them in order, according to payload capacity and successful launches......that way, it would be easier to compare and comprehend (don't mind the Indian fanboys bugging you to improve GSLV's rank).

I was about to object why GSLVIII was on top when better systems are listed below it. Thanks for not being a blind fanboy. Kudos.

I envy ISRO. Wish our junk Sparco could achieve the half of ISRO.

 

[amardeep mishra]

Every country is trying to enhance the capability of their launchers. Should the rankings be based on current capability or estimated future capability??
Yes, I understand that, with few modifications GSLV is going to be more powerful, but let those happen first, Let GSLV fly successfully with those modifications......until then, please 'hold your horses'.

I think you didn't get the gist of it. My main point was SCE200 is in advanced stages of development and a GSLV flight with this new engine can be had in next 2-3 years-- which in my view is immediate future.