The Top 10 Largest Rockets in Space Exploration
Space exploration has always pushed the boundaries of human ingenuity, and few achievements exemplify this more than the development of super heavy-lift rockets. These immense machines form the backbone of humanity’s reach into space, launching astronauts, satellites, and cargo far beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Each is a remarkable feat of engineering, representing decades of research, innovation, and ambition.
From Cold War-era giants to modern reusable boosters, the largest rockets ever constructed have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of space. Their size, thrust, and payload capacity are not just figures—they tell the story of missions to the Moon, crewed spaceflight, planetary probes, and bold new ventures like Mars colonisation.
This list ranks the top 10 largest rockets in space history, considering their physical size, lifting capacity, and historical significance. Some, like the Saturn V, have become icons of human achievement, while others, such as SpaceX’s Starship, represent the future of interplanetary exploration.
These rockets are not merely machines—they’re milestones. Each one expanded the boundaries of what was thought possible, opening new frontiers for science, defence, and discovery. Here’s a look at the titans of spaceflight that have defined and will continue to shape the space age.
1. SpaceX Starship
Height: 120 meters (394 feet)
Diameter: 9 meters (30 feet)
Liftoff Mass: ~5,000 metric tons
Payload Capacity: 150 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); up to 250 tons in expendable mode
Thrust: 75 MN (MegaNewtons) from 33 Raptor engines
Status: In development
SpaceX’s Starship marks a significant step forward in rocket engineering and the future of space travel. At 120 meters tall, it is the tallest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built. Designed as a fully reusable system, Starship comprises two stages: the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. Together, they aim to cut launch costs and boost flight efficiency frequency significantly.
With a massive payload capacity of up to 150 metric tons to LEO in reusable mode, Starship is ideal for a wide range of missions, from deploying satellite constellations and transporting cargo to establishing human settlements on the Moon and Mars. Its stainless-steel construction and heat-shield tiles are optimised for atmospheric re-entry, supporting rapid reuse.
Starship’s scale and ambition mark a major shift in space exploration. As development and test flights carry on, it’s expected to support NASA’s Artemis program, private lunar missions, and eventually interplanetary travel, turning what was once science fiction into a real possibility.
2. Saturn V
Height: 110.6 meters (363 feet)
Diameter: 10.1 meters (33.2 feet)
Liftoff Mass: ~2,970 metric tons
Payload Capacity: 140 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); 48.6 tons to trans-lunar injection
Thrust: 34.5 MN (MegaNewtons) at liftoff from five F-1 engines
Stages: Three
Status: Retired
NASA’s Saturn V remains one of the most iconic rockets in spaceflight history. Developed as part of the Apollo program, it was the only rocket to carry humans beyond low Earth orbit, launching 13 missions between 1967 and 1973, including all six Moon landings. Most notably, it delivered Apollo 11 and the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface in 1969.
The Saturn V had a powerful three-stage setup. The first stage (S-IC) produced over 7.6 million pounds of thrust, while the second (S-II) and third (S-IVB) stages pushed the spacecraft into orbit and onwards to the Moon. It could carry 140 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) and nearly 50 tons towards the lunar surface destinations.
Renowned for its reliability and performance, Saturn V never lost a crew or experienced a launch failure. It stood as the tallest, heaviest, and most powerful rocket until SpaceX’s Starship surpassed it in size. Even today, Saturn V remains a pinnacle of aerospace engineering and a symbol of what coordinated ambition, funding, and innovation can achieve. Its legacy endures as a benchmark for future interplanetary missions.
3. Space Launch System (SLS)
Height: 98 meters (322 feet)
Diameter: 8.4 meters (core stage)
Liftoff Mass: ~2,600 metric tons (Block 1); up to ~3,000 metric tons (Block 2)
Payload Capacity: 95 tons to low Earth orbit (Block 1); 130 tons (Block 2)
Thrust: 39.1 MN at liftoff (Block 2, with upgraded boosters)
Stages: Two, with optional upper stage (Exploration Upper Stage)
Status: Operational (first launch: Artemis I, 2022)
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is a next-generation heavy-lift rocket designed to enable deep-space missions, including crewed lunar landings and future journeys to Mars. As the cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis programme, SLS is the most powerful rocket ever built by the agency, drawing on heritage from both the Saturn V and Space Shuttle programmes.
Rocket features a massive core stage powered by four RS-25 engines, upgraded versions from the Shuttle era, and two five-segment solid rocket boosters for extra thrust. The Block 1 configuration is already proven in flight, while the upcoming Block 2 variant will increase capacity to 130 tonnes to low Earth orbit. SLS
SLS is built to launch the Orion spacecraft, large scientific payloads, and habitat modules for deep-space missions. Its modular design allows for future upgrades, boosting capability as mission requirements develop.
Although it experienced years of delays and cost overruns, SLS is now operational and ready to lead the next chapter of human exploration. It combines raw power, modern avionics, and flight-proven technology to achieve NASA’s long-term objectives, starting with a return to the Moon and paving the way for Mars.
4. N1 Rocket
Height: 105 meters (344 feet)
Diameter: 17 meters (at base)
Liftoff Mass: ~2,735 metric tons
Payload Capacity: 95 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO)
Thrust: 45.4 MN at liftoff from 30 NK-15 engines
Stages: Five
Status: Retired (no successful launches)
The Soviet Union’s N1 rocket was an ambitious counterpart to NASA’s Saturn V, developed in the 1960s for crewed lunar missions during the height of the Cold War space race. Towering at 105 metres and generating more thrust than any rocket of its time, the N1 was designed to deliver heavy payloads to LEO and support lunar landing missions.
Its most distinctive feature was the clustered first stage, which housed 30 NK-15 engines, an unprecedented and highly complex configuration. While this design delivered immense thrust, it also posed significant challenges in control, vibration, and reliability. The N1 flew four times between 1969 and 1972, but all launches ended in failure due to engine malfunctions and design flaws.
Despite its lack of operational success, the N1 remains a milestone in aerospace engineering. It demonstrated the scale of Soviet ambition and the challenges of rapid development under political pressure. Although the program was eventually cancelled in 1976, the lessons learned influenced later Soviet and Russian launch systems. The N1 continues to stand as one of the largest rockets ever built, a symbol of bold innovation that fell short but paved the way for future advancements in rocket design.
5. Energia
Height: 60 meters (196 feet)
Diameter: 7.75 meters (core stage)
Liftoff Mass: ~2,400 metric tons
Payload Capacity: 100 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO)
Thrust: 31.3 MN at liftoff from four strap-on boosters (each with one RD-170 engine)
Stages: Two
Status: Retired
The Soviet Energia rocket was a powerful and innovative heavy-lift launch vehicle developed during the 1980s. Originally designed to carry the Buran space shuttle, it was also capable of launching a wide variety of large payloads, including space station modules and deep-space missions. Energia remains one of the most capable rockets ever flown, with a payload capacity of 100 tonnes to LEO.
Energia’s most distinctive feature was its modular design and the use of four strap-on boosters, each powered by an RD-170 engine, still the most powerful single-chamber liquid-fueled engine ever built. The core stage, powered by four RD-0120 hydrogen-fuelled engines, provided sustained thrust after booster separation.
Unlike the American Shuttle, Energia’s payload was mounted on the side, allowing greater flexibility in mission configurations.
6. Falcon Heavy
Height: 70 meters (229.6 feet)
Diameter: 12.2 meters (including side boosters)
Liftoff Mass: ~1,420 metric tons
Payload Capacity: 63.8 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); 26.7 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO); 16.8 tons to Mars
Thrust: 22.8 MN at liftoff from 27 Merlin engines
Stages: Two
Status: Operational (first flight: February 2018)
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world today and a key player in modern launch operations. Derived from the Falcon 9 platform, it combines three Falcon 9 first stages, two of which act as side boosters, delivering over 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. This reusable architecture significantly reduces launch costs, especially when boosters are recovered successfully.
Capable of lifting 63.8 metric tonnes to LEO, Falcon Heavy supports a wide range of missions, including heavy commercial satellites, scientific probes, and national security payloads. Its upper stage is powered by a single vacuum-optimised Merlin engine, enabling precise orbital insertions.
Since its iconic maiden flight in 2018, famously launching Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster toward deep space, Falcon Heavy has demonstrated remarkable reliability and versatility. It has since carried out key missions for NASA, including the Psyche asteroid mission, and is scheduled to support the Artemis programme by delivering components of the Lunar Gateway.
Falcon Heavy bridges the gap between medium and super heavy-lift rockets, providing a more affordable option for high-mass payloads. It exemplifies SpaceX’s commitment to reusability, innovation, and mission flexibility, paving the way for future interplanetary travel with its successor, Starship.
7. Long March 9 (CZ-9)
Height: ~93 meters (305 feet)
Diameter: ~10.6 meters (core stage)
Liftoff Mass: ~4,000 metric tons (estimated)
Payload Capacity: ~140 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); ~50 tons to trans-lunar injection (TLI)
Thrust: ~55 MN at liftoff (estimated)
Stages: Three (original design); updated versions may include reusable first stages
Status: In development (targeted for first flight in early 2030s)
The Long March 9 (Changzheng-9 or CZ-9) is China’s next-generation super heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed to compete with NASA’s SLS and SpaceX’s Starship. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the CZ-9 is a key component of China’s plans for crewed lunar landings, Mars sample return missions, and the construction of large orbital infrastructure.
Early designs feature a three-stage, expendable rocket capable of launching up to 140 tonnes to LEO and 50 tonnes to trans-lunar trajectories, making it one of the most powerful rockets ever conceived. The core stage is expected to be powered by newly developed high-thrust kerosene- and hydrogen-fuelled engines. China has also proposed future upgrades with reusable boosters and modular designs.
The CZ-9 will play a vital role in achieving China's aims for a sustained lunar presence and further solar system exploration. It is expected to support the planned International Lunar Research Station in collaboration with Russia and other international partners. Although still in development, the Long March 9 signifies China’s rise as a global space power, ready to influence the next chapter of space exploration alongside the United States and private industry leaders.
8. Ariane 6
Height: 63 meters (207 feet)
Diameter: 5.4 meters (core stage)
Liftoff Mass: ~870 metric tons (Ariane 64 configuration)
Payload Capacity: Up to 20 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); 11.5 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
Thrust: ~10.9 MN at liftoff (Ariane 64, with four boosters)
Configurations: Ariane 62 (two boosters), Ariane 64 (four boosters)
Stages: Two
Status: In development (first launch expected 2024)
Ariane 6 is the European Space Agency’s next-generation launch vehicle, developed in partnership with Arianespace to provide a cost-effective and adaptable successor to the long-standing Ariane 5. Although smaller than the super heavy-lift rockets on this list, Ariane 6 plays a crucial role in Europe’s independent access to space, supporting a wide range of commercial, institutional, and scientific missions.
Offered in two main variants, Ariane 62 and Ariane 64, the rocket's modular design allows it to suit different payload needs. The core stage uses a Vulcain 2.1 engine, while the upper stage is equipped with a re-ignitable Vinci engine, enabling accurate orbital placement and multiple payload deployments.
Ariane 6 is built to improve affordability and boost launch frequency compared to its predecessor, with simplified manufacturing processes and more efficient operations. Its missions will include launching communications satellites, Earth observation payloads, and supporting European science missions and global navigation systems.
With its combination of dependability, versatility, and reduced costs, Ariane 6 is expected to be Europe's main workhorse for space launches through the 2030s, maintaining Europe’s competitive position in the global launch market and ensuring ongoing access to orbit for both public and private missions.
9. Delta IV Heavy
Height: 72 meters (236 feet)
Diameter: 5.1 meters (core stage)
Liftoff Mass: ~733 metric tons
Payload Capacity: 28.8 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); 14.2 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
Thrust: ~9.4 MN at liftoff from three RS-68A engines
Stages: Two
Status: Retired (final launch in 2023)
The Delta IV Heavy, developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA), was one of the most powerful expendable rockets ever built in the United States. Showcasing a distinctive triple-core design—three Common Booster Cores (CBCs) powered by RS-68A engines—it provided high thrust and mission flexibility for more than 15 years.
First launched in 2004, the Delta IV Heavy was designed to lift heavy and high-priority payloads into orbit, particularly for the U.S. Department of Defence and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). It also supported major NASA missions, including the Parker Solar Probe and the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1.
Although not reusable, Delta IV Heavy was valued for its reliability and precision. Its upper stage, powered by an RL10B-2 engine, enabled complex orbital manoeuvres and high-energy transfers. Despite these capabilities, the rocket's high cost and lengthy preparations ultimately led to its retirement in favour of ULA’s next-generation Vulcan Centaur.
Delta IV Heavy’s final launch took place in 2023, marking the end of an era in American heavy-lift launch services. It leaves a legacy of supporting some of the most sensitive and ambitious space missions of the 21st century.
10. Vulcan Centaur
Height: 61 meters (200 feet)
Diameter: 5.4 meters (core stage)
Liftoff Mass: ~546 metric tons (with two solid boosters)
Payload Capacity: 27.2 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO); 13.1 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
Thrust: ~7.6 MN at liftoff (with two GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters)
Stages: Two
Status: In development (first launch: January 2024)
The Vulcan Centaur, developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA), is the next-generation replacement for the aging Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. Designed to meet evolving national security, commercial, and scientific launch needs, Vulcan Centaur combines advanced technologies with a solid track record of reliability.
The rocket’s first stage is powered by two BE-4 engines, developed by Blue Origin, which burn liquid methane and liquid oxygen, a cleaner and more efficient fuel mix than previous ULA rockets. The upper stage, known as Centaur V, has two RL10C engines and provides precise orbit insertion, long-duration burns, and multiple restart capabilities.
Modular in design, Vulcan can be configured with zero, two, four, or six GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters, allowing it to handle various payload sizes and mission profiles. It’s also built with future reuse in mind, with plans to recover and reuse the BE-4 engine section via ULA’s SMART reuse system.
With its combination of modern efficiency, high-performance design, and mission versatility, Vulcan Centaur is set to become a key part of U.S. launch capabilities, supporting military payloads, deep-space science missions, and commercial satellites well into the 2030s.
The Evolution of Rocket Technology
The evolution of rocket technology reflects decades of engineering progress driven by both geopolitical rivalry and the commercialisation of space. Early heavy-lift launch vehicles, such as the Saturn V and N1, relied on brute thrust, multi-stage design, and analogue systems to reach orbit, prioritising raw capability over efficiency. In contrast, modern rockets now utilise advanced materials, precise avionics, and reusable propulsion systems to enhance performance, reduce costs, and increase launch frequency.
Key innovations include the shift to reusable first stages (e.g., Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy), which significantly cut per-launch costs and turnaround times. Miniaturisation of onboard electronics has enabled more precise guidance, navigation, and control systems, boosting mission reliability and adaptability. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is streamlining the production of complex components like engine parts and turbopumps, while also decreasing mass and manufacturing lead times.
Modular design approaches, used in rockets such as Ariane 6 and Vulcan Centaur, allow for flexible configurations tailored to mission requirements. Meanwhile, next-generation vehicles like Starship and Long March 9 are pushing the boundaries with integrated methane-based propulsion, full-stage reusability, and large payload capacities for deep-space exploration.
Rocket technology is advancing faster than ever, ushering in a new era of efficient, scalable, and more autonomous access to space.
Conclusion
The largest rockets in space exploration history are not just mechanical giants; they are powerful symbols of human curiosity, courage, and vision. From the legendary Saturn V, which propelled astronauts to the Moon, to SpaceX’s Starship, designed for interplanetary travel, these rockets mark defining moments in our journey beyond Earth. Each one embodies decades of research, innovation, and the collective effort of thousands of engineers, scientists, and dreamers.
As space technology progresses, so does our ability to reach further and achieve more. The rise of commercial spaceflight, international collaboration, and advancements in reusability and propulsion are ushering in a new era of launch systems. Rockets like China’s Long March 9, NASA’s SLS, and ULA’s Vulcan Centaur are being developed not just to place satellites in orbit, but to support lunar habitats, deep-space science missions, and eventual human settlement on Mars.
The race to develop more powerful and cost-effective launch vehicles is intensifying, and with it, our access to space expands. These rockets are not the end goal, but the enablers of our future. The story of these titans is still unfolding, and their legacy will shape the next chapter of humanity’s exploration of the cosmos.
