Heavy-lift launch vehicles

The Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle Index is your go-to resource for rockets capable of carrying payloads exceeding 20,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. These powerful vehicles are essential for the most demanding missions, including crewed spaceflight, deep-space exploration, space station assembly, and interplanetary probes. Heavy-lift rockets deliver the performance required to transport large satellites, scientific instruments, and cargo beyond Earth’s orbit. As space agencies and commercial providers pursue ambitious goals like lunar bases and Mars missions, heavy-lift systems are at the core of these efforts. This index covers key specifications and capabilities of leading rockets, showcasing how they enable the next frontier of space exploration.

Angara-5

Angara 5

Angara-5 Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre RUSSIA

The Angara-A5 is a heavy-lift, five-module launch vehicle designed for geostationary, interplanetary, and high-altitude LEO missions. It stands 64.0 m (210 ft) tall, has a diameter of 8.86 m (29 ft) with boosters, and a launch mass of ~773,000 kg (1,704,000 lb). It consists of five URM-1 first-stage cores and a central URM-2 second stage, with an optional Briz-M or KVTK upper stage for extended missions.

LEO (200 km): 24,500 kg (54,000 lb)

SSO: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb)

GTO: 5,400 kg (11,900 lb) with Briz-M

8,000 kg (17,600 lb) with KVTK

TLI (Lunar Injection): 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) with KVTK

Current launch operations occur at Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 35, with Vostochny Cosmodrome planned for future missions.

Ariane 5

Ariane 5 rocket on the launch pad at night, surrounded by scaffolding and tall antenna towers, with a dark sky in the background.

Ariane 5 Arianespace ESA

The Ariane 5 was a heavy-lift launch vehicle designed for geostationary, interplanetary, and human-rated missions. It stood 52 m (171 ft) tall, had a diameter of 5.4 m (18 ft), and a launch mass of ~780,000 kg (1,720,000 lb). It featured a cryogenic core stage (EPC) powered by the Vulcain 2 engine, two solid rocket boosters (EAPs), and an optional upper stage (ESCA or ES) for high-energy missions.

LEO (200 km altitude): 21,000 kg (46,300 lb)

GTO: 10,865 kg (23,960 lb) with dual payload configuration

TLI (Lunar Injection):~8,500 kg (18,740 lb)

Ariane 5 launched from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, completing 117 missions between 1996 and 2023, before being succeeded by Ariane 6.

Ariane 6

Ariane 6 on a launch pad being prepared for takeoff with gas emitting from the base, surrounded by tall towers under a clear blue sky.

Ariane 6 Arianespace ESA

The Ariane 6 is a next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to replace Ariane 5, offering modular configurations for diverse mission requirements. It stands 63 m (207 ft) tall, has a core stage diameter of 5.4 m (18 ft), and a launch mass of ~900,000 kg (1,984,000 lb). It features a liquid-fueled core stage (Vulcain 2.1 engine), with two or four solid rocket boosters (P120C), and a restartable Vinci upper stage for extended missions.

LEO (200 km altitude): 21,650 kg (47,750 lb) with A64

GTO: 10,350 kg (22,820 lb) with A64

4,500 kg (9,920 lb) with A62

SSO:5,000 kg (11,020 lb) with A62

7,600 kg (16,755 lb) with A64

Launches will take place from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, with Ariane 6 expected to debut in 2024, enhancing Europe’s independent access to space.

Falcon 9

Falcon 9 rocket on a launch pad with tall support towers and bright floodlights, set against a dark sky at dusk.

Falcon 9 SpaceX USA

The Falcon 9 is a partially reusable, medium-to-heavy lift launch vehicle developed by SpaceX for commercial, government, and crewed space missions. It features a two-stage design, with a first stage capable of landing and reuse. The rocket stands 70 m (229.6 ft) tall, has a diameter of 3.7 m (12 ft), and a launch mass of ~549,000 kg (1,210,000 lb). It is powered by nine Merlin 1D engines on the first stage and a vacuum-optimized Merlin 1D on the second stage, both using RP-1/LOX propellants.

LEO Payload Capacity: 22,800 kg (50,265 lb)

GTO Payload Capacity: 8,300 kg (18,300 lb)

TLI (Lunar Injection): 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)

Mars Injection: ~4,020 kg (8,860 lb)

Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center, and Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Falcon Heavy

Falcon Heavy launching from a space center with a cloud of smoke and fire.

Falcon Heavy SpaceX USA

The Falcon Heavy is a partially reusable, heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by SpaceX for high-mass payloads, deep-space missions, and crewed exploration. It consists of three Falcon 9 first-stage boosters strapped together. The rocket stands 70 m (229.6 ft) tall, has a diameter of 12.2 m (40 ft) including boosters, and a launch mass of ~1,420,788 kg (3,130,000 lb). It is powered by 27 Merlin 1D engines on the first stage and a single vacuum-optimized Merlin 1D on the second stage, using RP-1/LOX propellants.

LEO Payload Capacity: 63,800 kg (140,660 lb)

GTO Payload Capacity: 26,700 kg (58,860 lb)

TLI (Lunar Injection): 16,800 kg (37,000 lb)

Mars Injection: 16,800 kg (37,000 lb)

Falcon Heavy launches from Kennedy Space Center (Launch Complex 39A).

Gravity-2

Three different types of space rockets standing upright against a dark background, branded with 'ORIENSPACE.'

Gravity-2 Orienspace China

The Gravity-2 is a partially recoverable heavy-lift launch vehicle, is expected to debut in 2025. It will be a 60-meter-tall heavy-lift rocket with a liquid-fuel core stage and solid boosters.

LEO: 25.600 kg

SSO: 19,100 kg (500km)

GTO: 7,700 kg

The Gravity-2 launch site is yet to be disclosed

Long March 5

Long March 5 rocket launching on a launch pad, with flames and smoke billowing from the engines.

Long March 5 China National Space Administration (CNSA) CHINA

The Long March 5 (CZ-5) features a modular design with two core stages and four liquid-fueled boosters. The rocket stands 57 m (187 ft) tall, has a core diameter of 5.0 m (16.4 ft), and a launch mass of ~867,000 kg (1,912,000 lb). It is powered by YF-100 and YF-77 engines, using RP-1/LOX for boosters and LH2/LOX for core stages.

LEO Payload Capacity: 25,000 kg (55,100 lb)

GTO Payload Capacity: 14,000 kg (30,860 lb)

TLI (Lunar Injection): 8,200 kg (18,080 lb)

Mars Injection: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb)

The Long March 5 launches from Wenchang Space Launch Site.

New Glenn

Rocket launching from space station at night with bright flames and billowing smoke.

New Glenn Blue Origin USA

The New Glenn is designed to have a partially reusable, two-stage design. It stands 98 m (322 ft) tall, has a diameter of 7 m (23 ft),

LEO: 45,000 kg (99,000 lb)

GTO: 13,600 kg (30,000 lb)

TLI: 7,000 kg (15,000 lb)

Current launch operations occur at Cape Canaveral, LC‑36 with

Vandenberg, SLC‑9 planned for future missions.

Proton-M

A rocket on a launch pad at a spaceport, standing horizontally on a tilted green and concrete platform, with a clear blue sky in the background. The rocket features several engines at the rear and orange markings on its body.

Proton-M Khrunichev Russia

The Proton-M is an expendable Russian heavy-lift launch vehicle derived from the Soviet-developed Proton. The Proton-M launch vehicle consists of three stages, all of them powered by liquid rocket engines. Height 58.2 m (191 ft) Diameter 7.4 m (24 ft) Mass 705,000 kg (1,554,000 lb). Most Proton-M launches have used a Briz-M upper stage to propel the spacecraft into a higher orbit.

LEO Payload Capacity: 23,000 kg (51,000 lb)

GTO Payload Capacity: 6,920 kg (15,260 lb)

Proton-M launches from sites 81/24 and 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Commercial launches are marketed by International Launch Services (ILS), and generally use Site 200/39.

Terran R

Large rocket inside an industrial hangar being worked on by engineers and workers, with a yellow overhead crane and an American flag in the background.

Terran R Relativity Space USA

The Terran R is a heavy-lift two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle under development. The vehicle is partially constructed with 3D printing technologies, like its predecessor, the small-lift Terran 1. Height 82 m (270 ft) Diameter 5.5 m (18 ft).

LEO Payload Capacity: 33,500 kg (73,900 lb) (expected)

GTO Payload Capacity: UNKNOWN

The Terran R is expected to launch from Cape Canaveral, LC-16.

Vulcan Centaur

Vulcan Centaur United Launch Alliance USA

Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle consisting of the Vulcan first stage and the Centaur second stage with 0, 2, 4, or 6 Boosters. The Vulcan Centaur replaces ULA's Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. Height Standard 61.6 m (202 ft) Long: 67.3 m (221 ft), Diameter 5.4 m (18 ft), Mass 546,700 kg (1,205,300 lb).

LEO Payload Capacity: 27,200 kg (60,000 lb)

GEO Payload Capacity: 7,000 kg (15,000 lb)

TLI (Lunar Injection): 12,100 kg (26,700 lb)

The Vulcan Centaur launches from Cape Canaveral, SLC‑41 with

Vandenberg, SLC‑3 planned

rocket on a launch pad surrounded by trees and clear sky

Zhuque-3

A group of people observing a large rocket in an indoor facility, with the Chinese flag in the background.

Zhuque-3 LandSpace China

The Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) is under-development but expected to be a two-stage medium-to-heavy launch vehicle made of stainless steel and powered by liquid methane fuel. The reusable first stage is equipped with nine Tianque-12B engines. The rocket will be 76.6 meters long, 4.5 meters in diameter, and have a liftoff weight of approximately 660 tonnes.

LEO Payload Capacity: 21,000 kg (18,000 kgs when recovered)

GTO Payload Capacity: UNKNOWN

Zhuque-3 is expected to launch from Jiuquan.