Ajay Kumar at 07:22, 21 August 2023

2023-08-21T07:22:42Z

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{{Short description|Category of space launch vehicle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| perrow = 3/3
| total_width = 300
| image1 = Falcon 9 Demo-2 Launching 6 (3).jpg
| image2 = Soyuz 2 metop.jpg
| image3 = PSLV C-35 at the launch pad (cropped).jpg
| image4 = Long March 2D launching VRSS-1.jpg
| image5 = H IIA No. F23 with GPM on its way to the launchpad.jpg
| image6 = KSLV-II Nuri Launch 2021-10-21.jpg
}}
| Ship caption = Clockwise from top-left: [[Falcon 9]], [[Soyuz-2]], [[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle|PSLV]], [[Nuri (rocket)|Nuri]], [[H-IIA]], [[Long March 2D]]
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = Medium-lift launch vehicle
| Operators = Various space organizations
| Class before = [[Small-lift launch vehicle]]
| Class after = [[Heavy-lift launch vehicle]]
| Built range = 1958–
| Total ships retired = 41
| Total ships active = 23
| Total ships building = 7 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Ship propulsion = Various [[Liquid-propellant rocket|liquid-fueled engines]] and [[Solid-propellant rocket|solid motors]]
| Ship notes =
| Ship capacity = {{unbulleted list|2–20 metric tons (NASA)|5–20 metric tons (Russia)}}
}}
|}

A '''medium-lift launch vehicle''' ('''MLV''') is a [[rocket]] [[launch vehicle]] that is capable of lifting between {{convert|2000|to|20000|kg|abbr=on}} by [[NASA]] classification or between {{Convert|5,000 to 20,000|kg|lb}} by Russian classification<ref>{{Cite book|last=Osipov|first=Yuri|url=https://bigenc.ru/technology_and_technique/text/3492657|title=Great Russian Encyclopedia|publisher=Great Russian Encyclopedia|year=2004–2017|location=Moscow}}</ref> of [[payload]] into [[low Earth orbit]] (LEO).<ref name="classes">[http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/500393main_TA01-LaunchPropulsion-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf NASA Space Technology Roadmaps - Launch Propulsion Systems, p.11]: "Small: 0-2t payloads, Medium: 2-20t payloads, Heavy: 20-50t payloads, Super Heavy: >50t payloads"</ref> An MLV is between [[small-lift launch vehicle]]s and [[heavy-lift launch vehicle]]s.

==Rated launch vehicles==

=== Operational ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! width="120" |Vehicle
! Origin
! Manufacturer
! Mass to [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] (kg)
! Mass to [[List of orbits|other orbits]] (kg)
! Launches
! First Flight
|-
|[[Falcon 9 Block 5]]
|{{USA}}
|[[SpaceX]]
|{{nts|17,400}} reusable 22,800 expendable
|{{nts|5,500}} to GTO reusable 8,300 to GTO expendable 4,020 to Mars
|{{nts|{{Falcon rocket statistics|F9FTBlock5launch}}}}
|2018
|-
|[[Soyuz-2 (rocket)|Soyuz-2]]/Soyuz ST
|{{RUS}}
|[[TsSKB-Progress]]
|{{nts|8200}}
|{{nts|3250}} to GTO 4,400 to SSO
|162
|2006{{efn|name=suborbital-2004|A suborbital test flight was conducted in 2004, without the upper stage.}}
|-
|[[Long March 4B]]/[[Long March 4C|4C]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology|SAST]]
|{{nts|4200}}
|{{nts|1500}} to GTO 2,800 to SSO
|99
|1999
|-
|[[Atlas V]]
|{{USA}}
|[[United Launch Alliance]]
|{{nts|18850}}
|{{nts|8900}} to GTO
|97
|2002
|-
|[[Zenit-3]]
|{{UKR}}
|[[Yuzhmash]]
|{{nts|7000}}
|{{nts|6160}} to GTO
|84
|1999
|-
|[[Long March 3B/E]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|11500}}
|{{nts|5500}} to GTO 6,900 to SSO
|79
|2007
|-
|[[Long March 2D]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology|SAST]]
|{{nts|3500}}
|{{nts|1300}} to SSO
|78
|1992
|-
|[[Long March 2C]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|3850}}
|{{nts|1900}} to SSO
|71
|1982
|-
|[[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle|PSLV]]
|{{IND}}
|[[ISRO]]
|{{nts|3800}}
|{{nts|1200}} to GTO {{nts|1750}} to SSO
|58
|1993
|-
|[[H-IIA]]
|{{JPN}}
|[[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries|Mitsubishi]]
|{{nts|10,000}}-15,000
|{{nts|4,100}}-6,000 to GTO
|46
|2001
|-
|[[Long March 3A]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|6000}}
|{{nts|2600}} to GTO 5,000 to SSO
|27
|1994
|-
|[[Long March 2F]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|8400}}
|{{nts|3500}} to GTO
|20
|1999
|-
|[[Long March 3C]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|9100}}
|{{nts|3800}} to GTO 6,500 to SSO
|18
|2008
|-
|[[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle|GSLV]]
|{{IND}}
|[[ISRO]]
|{{nts|5000}}
|{{nts|2700}} to GTO
|15
|2010
|-
|[[Long March 7|Long March 7/7A]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|13500}}
|{{nts|5500}} to SSO {{nts|7000}} to GTO
|12
|2016
|-
|[[Soyuz-2.1v]]
|{{RUS}}
|[[TsSKB-Progress]]
|{{nts|2800}}
|{{nts|1400}} to SSO
|9
|2013
|-
|[[GSLV Mk.III|LVM 3]]
|{{IND}}
|[[ISRO]]
|{{nts|10000}}
|{{nts|4000}} to GTO
|7
|2017{{efn|name=suborbital-2014|A suborbital test flight was conducted in 2014, without the upper stage.}}
|-
|[[Nuri (rocket)|Nuri]]
|{{KOR}}
|[[KARI]]
|{{nts|3300}}
|{{nts|1900}} to SSO (700 km)
|3
|2022{{efn|name=failed-2021|A flight in 2021 failed to reach orbit.}}
|-
|[[Long March 8]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|8100}}
|{{nts|4500}} to SSO
|2
|2020
|-
|[[Angara (rocket family)#Angara 1.2|Angara 1.2]]
|{{RUS}}
|[[Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center|Khrunichev]]
|{{nts|3500}}<ref name="khru_angara">{{cite web |title=Angara Launch Vehicle Family |url=http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=44&lang=en |access-date=2 September 2018 |publisher=[[Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center]]}}</ref>
|
|2
|2022{{efn|name=suborbital-2014}}
|-
|[[Zhuque-2]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[LandSpace]]
|{{nts|6000}}
|{{nts|4000}} to SSO (500 km)
|2
|2022
|-
|[[Vega-C]]
|{{EU}}
|[[Avio]]
|
|{{nts|2200}} to SSO (700 km)<ref>{{cite web |title=Vega C |url=https://www.arianespace.com/vega-c/ |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>
|1
|2022
|-
|[[H3 (rocket)|H3]]
|{{JPN}}
|[[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
|
|{{nts|7900}} to GTO {{nts|4000}} to SSO
|1
|2023
|}

=== Under development ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! width="120" |Vehicle
! Origin
! Manufacturer
! Mass to [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] (kg)
! Mass to [[List of orbits|other orbits]] (kg)
! Expected Flight
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Ariane 6]] (A62)
|{{flagicon|European Union}} {{FRA}}
|[[Arianespace]]
|{{nts|10350}}
|{{nts|5000}} to GTO
|2023
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Irtysh (rocket)|Irtysh]]
|{{RUS}}
|[[Progress Rocket Space Centre]]
|{{nts|18000}}
|{{nts|5000}} to GTO
|2025
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Long March 10|Long March 10A]]
|{{China}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|14,000
|
|>2026
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Unified Launch Vehicle]]
|{{IND}}
|[[Indian Space Research Organization]]
|{{nts|4500}}-15000
|{{nts|1500}}-6000 to GTO
|2023
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Rocket Lab Neutron|Neutron]]
| {{NZ}} {{USA}}
|[[Rocket Lab]]
|{{nts|8000}}
|
|2024
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Firefly Aerospace#MLV|MLV]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Firefly Aerospace]]
|{{nts|14000}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fireflyspace.com/mlv/ |title=Medium Launch Vehicle |work=Firefly Aerospace |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref>
|
|2025
|- style="background:khaki;font-style:italic"
|[[Pallas-1]]
|{{China}}
|[[Galactic Energy]]
|{{nts|5000}}
|3,000 to [[Sun-synchronous orbit|SSO]]
|2024
|}

=== Retired ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! width="120" |Vehicle
! Origin
! Manufacturer
! Mass to [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] (kg)
! Mass to [[List of orbits|other orbits]] (kg)
! Launches
! First Flight
! Last Flight

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Vostok (rocket family)|Vostok]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[RSC Energia]]
|{{nts|4730}}
|
|{{nts|163}}
|1958
|1991

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Saturn I]]
| nowrap="" |{{USA}}
|[[Chrysler]] & [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas]]
|{{nts|9000}}
|
|{{nts|10}}
|1961
|1965
long
|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Atlas-Centaur]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Lockheed Martin|Lockheed]]
|{{nts|5100}}
|
|{{nts|61}}
|1962
|1983

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Titan II GLV]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]]
|{{nts|3580}}
|
|{{nts|12}}
|1964
|1966

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Titan IIIC]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]]
|{{nts|13100}}
|{{nts|3000}} to GTO 1,200 to TMI
|{{nts|36}}
|1965
|1982

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Molniya-M]]
|{{USSR}} {{RUS}}
|[[TsSKB-Progress]]
|{{nts|2400}}
|
|{{nts|280}}
|1965
|2010

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Proton-K]]
|{{USSR}} {{RUS}}
|[[Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center|Khrunichev]]
|{{nts|19760}}
|
|{{nts|311}}
|1965
|2012

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Soyuz (rocket)|Soyuz original]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[OKB-1]]
|{{nts|6450}}
|
|{{nts|32}}
|1966
|1975

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Tsyklon|R-36 Tsyklon]]
|{{USSR}} {{UKR}}
|[[Yuzhmash]]
|{{nts|2,820}}-5,250 (depends on variant)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/t/tsiklon-2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227195141/http://astronautix.com/t/tsiklon-2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2016|title = Tsiklon-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.astronautix.com/t/tsiklon-4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822034720/http://www.astronautix.com/t/tsiklon-4.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 August 2016 |title=Tsiklon-4 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |access-date=8 August 2016}}</ref>
|{{nts|500}}-910 to GTO<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/tsyklon4m.html|title=Tsyklon-4M (Cyclone-4M) prepares a move to Canada}}</ref>
|{{nts|236}}
|1967
|2009

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Soyuz-L]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[OKB-1]]
|{{nts|5500}}
|
|{{nts|3}}
|1970
|1971

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Titan IIID]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]]
|{{nts|12300}}
|
|{{nts|22}}
|1971
|1982

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Soyuz-M]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[OKB-1]]
|{{nts|6600}}
|
|{{nts|8}}
|1971
|1976

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Soyuz-U]]
|{{USSR}} {{RUS}}
|[[TsSKB-Progress]]
|{{nts|6900}}
|
|{{nts|786}}
|1973
|2017

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Feng Bao 1]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology|Shanghai Bureau No.2]]
|{{nts|2500}}
|
|{{nts|8}}
|1973
|1981

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Long March 2A]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|2000}}
|
|{{nts|4}}
|1974
|1976

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Titan IIIE]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Martin Marietta]]
|{{nts|15400}}
|{{nts|3700}} to TMI
|{{nts|7}}
|1974
|1977

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Delta (rocket family)|Delta]] 3920–5920
|{{USA}}
|[[McDonnell Douglas|Douglas]]
|{{nts|3452}}–3,848
|
|{{nts|30}}
|1980
|1990

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[N-II (rocket)|N-II]]<ref name="N-2">{{cite web|title=N-2|url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/n2.htm|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|access-date=12 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108110724/http://astronautix.com/lvs/n2.htm|archive-date=8 November 2013}}</ref>
|{{JPN}}
|[[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries|Mitsubishi]]
|{{nts|2000}}
|
|{{nts|8}}
|1981
|1987

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Soyuz-U2]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[TsSKB-Progress]]
|{{nts|7050}}
|
|{{nts|72}}
|1982
|1995
|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Atlas G]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Lockheed Martin|Lockheed]]
|{{nts|5900}}
|
|{{nts|7}}
|1984
|1989

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Long March 3]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|5000}}
|{{nts|1340}} to GTO
|{{nts|14}}
|1984
|2000

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Zenit-2]]
|{{USSR}} {{UKR}}
|[[Yuzhnoye Design Bureau|Yuzhnoye]]
|{{nts|13740}}
|
|{{nts|36}}
|1985
|2004

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[H-I]]
|{{JPN}}
|[[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries|Mitsubishi]]
|{{nts|3200}}
|{{nts|1100}} to GTO
|{{nts|9}}
|1986
|1992

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Long March 4A]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology|SAST]]
|{{nts|4000}}
|
|{{nts|2}}
|1988
|1990

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Ariane 4]]
|{{flagicon|European Union}} {{FRA}}
|[[Aérospatiale]]
|{{nts|7600}}
|{{nts|4800}} to GTO
|{{nts|116}}
|1988
|2003

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Delta II]]
|{{USA}}
|[[United Launch Alliance]]
|{{nts|6100}}
|{{nts|2170}} to GTO 1,000 to HCO
|{{nts|156}}
|1989
|2018

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Atlas I]], [[Atlas II|II]], [[Atlas III|III]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Lockheed Martin|Lockheed]]
|{{nts|5900}}–8,686
|{{nts|2340}}–4,609 to GTO
|{{nts|80}}
|1990
|2005

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Long March 2E]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|9200}}
|
|{{nts|7}}
|1990
|1995
|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[H-II]] / IIS
|{{JPN}}
|[[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries|Mitsubishi]]
|{{nts|10060}}
|{{nts|4000}} to GTO
|{{nts|7}}
|1994
|1999

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Ariane 5]]
|{{flagicon|European Union}} {{FRA}}
|[[Arianespace]]
|{{nts|16000}}
|{{nts|6950}} to GTO
|{{nts|117}}
|1996
|2023

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Long March 3B]]
|{{CHN}}
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{nts|11200}}
|{{nts|5100}} to GTO 5,700 to SSO
|{{nts|12}}
|1996
|2012

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Delta III]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Boeing]]
|{{nts|8290}}
|{{nts|3810}} to GTO
|{{nts|3}}
|1998
|2000

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Dnepr (rocket)|Dnepr]]
|{{UKR}}
|[[Yuzhmash]]
|{{nts|4500}}
|{{nts|2300}} to GTO 550 to TLI
|{{nts|22}}
|1999
|2015
|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Soyuz-FG]]
|{{RUS}}
|[[TsSKB-Progress]]
|{{nts|6900}}
|
|{{nts|70}}
|2001
|2019

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle|GSLV Mk.I]]
|{{IND}}
|[[ISRO]]
|{{nts|4,000}}
|{{nts|2,150}} to GTO
|{{nts|6}}
|2001
|2010
|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[H-IIB]]
|{{JPN}}
|[[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
|{{nts|19000}}
|{{nts|8000}} to GTO
|{{nts|9}}
|2009
|2020

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Falcon 9 v1.0]]
|{{USA}}
|[[SpaceX]]
|{{nts|10450}}
|{{nts|4540}} to GTO
|{{nts|5}}
|2010
|2013
|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Antares (rocket)|Antares 110–130]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Orbital Sciences]]
|{{nts|5100}}<ref name="gunter-antares" />
|{{nts|1500}} to SSO
|{{nts|5}}
|2013
|2014

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Falcon 9 v1.1]]
|{{USA}}
|[[SpaceX]]
|{{nts|13150}}
|{{nts|4850}} to GTO
|{{nts|15}}
|2013
|2016

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Falcon 9 Full Thrust]]
(before Block 5)
|{{USA}}
|[[SpaceX]]
||{{nts|15600}}+<ref name="SLNov19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/11/spacex-cape-return-first-operational-starlink-mission/|title=SpaceX and Cape Canaveral Return to Action with First Operational Starlink Mission|date=2019-11-11|website=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref>
|{{nts|7075}}+<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krebs |first1=Gunter |title=Telstar 19V (Telstar 19 Vantage) |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/telstar-19v.htm |website=Gunter's Space Page |publisher=Gunter |access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref> to GTO
|{{nts|63}}
|2015
|2018

|- style="background:lightgray;"
|[[Antares 230]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Northrop Grumman]]
|{{nts|8000}}<ref name="gunter-antares">{{cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter |title=Antares (Taurus-2) |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/antares_osc.htm |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=Gunter's Space Page}}</ref>
|{{nts|3000}} to SSO
|13
|2016
|2023
|}
{{notelist}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Atlas-B ICBM.jpg|Launch of an Atlas B intercontinental ballistic missile
File:Launch of Friendship 7 - GPN-2000-000686.jpg|Launch of the first American crewed orbital space flight Atlas and [[Friendship 7]]
File:SpX CRS-2 launch - further - cropped.jpg|A Falcon 9 v1.0 launches with an uncrewed [[Dragon spacecraft]], 2012
File:SpaceX factory Falcon 9 booster tank.jpg|Falcon 9 booster tank at the SpaceX factory, 2008
File:02 Launch of GSLV Mk III D2 with GSAT-29 from Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (SDSC SHAR).jpg|Launch of GSLV Mk lll D2 with GSAT-29 from SHAR, India.
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Sounding rocket]], suborbital launch vehicle
* [[List of orbital launch systems]]
* [[Small-lift launch vehicle]], capable of lifting up to 2,000 kg to low Earth orbit
* [[Heavy lift launch vehicle]], capable of lifting between 20,000 and 50,000 kg to low Earth orbit. (Includes [[Ariane 5]])
* [[Super Heavy lift launch vehicles]], capable of lifting more than 50,000 kg (110,000 lb) of payload into LEO
* [[Comparison of orbital launch systems]]
* [[Comparison of orbital rocket engines]]
* [[Comparison of space station cargo vehicles]]
* [[Rocket]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Mallove, Eugene F. and Matloff, Gregory L. ''The Starflight Handbook: A Pioneer's Guide to Interstellar Travel'', Wiley. {{ISBN|0-471-61912-4}}.

[[Category:Space launch vehicles]]

Medium-lift launch vehicle - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 07:22, 21 August 2023