This article compares different orbital launcher families (launchers which are significantly different from other members of the same 'family' have separate entries). The article is organized into two tables: the first contains a list of currently active and under-development launcher families, while the second contains a list of retired launcher families.
The related article "Comparison of orbital launch systems" lists each individual launcher system within any given launcher family, categorized by its current operational status.
Same cores are grouped together (like Ariane 1, 2 & 3, but not V).
| Family | Country | Payload (kg) | Cost (US$, millions) | Launches reaching... | Status | Date of flight | Notes | Refs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEO | GTO | TLI | Total | Space | Any orbit | Target orbit | First | Last | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agnibaan |  India | AgniKul Cosmos | -- | -- | -- | NET 2023 | Expected launch in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alpha |  United States | Firefly Aerospace | -- | Active | 2021 | [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Russian Federation | Khrunichev | 3,800–35,000 | –12,500 | -- | -- | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | Active | 2014 | [2] [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Antares | United States | Orbital ATK | -- | -- | Active | 2013 | Cygnus launcher. : 110, 120, 130, 230, 230+, 330 | [4] [5] [6] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ariane 6 | ArianeGroup | (A64) | + (A64) | (A64) | Active | 2024 | Ariane 62, Ariane 64. | [7] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Astra Rocket | United States | Astra | –150 (to SSO) | -- | Active | 2020 | 2 suborbital test launches in 2018. | [8] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlas V | United States | ULA | –153 | Active | 2002 | 2029 (planned) | Launched Juno & New Horizons | [9] [10] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blue Whale 1 | Perigee Aerospace | 170 (to SSO) | -- | -- | -- | NET 2024 | [11] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceres-1 |  China | Galactic Energy | (LEO) 300 (SSO) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2020 | [12] [13] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chollima-1 | NADA | ~ | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2023 | UDMH/N2O4 fueled carrier | [14] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cyclone-4M |  Ukraine | Yuzhnoye Yuzhmash | -- | -- | unknown | [15] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darwin-1 | China | Rocket Pi | -- | -- | -- | NET 2024 | methalox launcher | [16] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electron |  New Zealand United States | Rocket Lab | Active | 2017 | [17] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Epsilon |  Japan | IHI Corporation | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2013 | [18] [19] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eris |  Australia | Gilmour Space Technologies | -- | -- | -- | NET 2023 | [20] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Falcon 9+FH family | Falcon 9 | United States | SpaceX | -- | Active | 2010 | v1.0, v1.1, FT, Block 4, Block 5. Launcher of crewed Dragon capsule. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Falcon Heavy | United States | SpaceX | -- | –150 | Active | 2018 | First test launch 2018-02-06 | [21] [22] [23] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gravity-1 | China | Orienspace | (LEO) 3,700 (700 km SSO) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2024 | largest solid launcher (3rd stage can be solid/kerolox) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gravity-2 | China | Orienspace | (LEO) 19,100 (SSO) | -- | -- | 2025 | kerolox (core), solid (boosters); reusable 1st stage | [24] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GSLV Mark II | India | ISRO | -- | -- | Active | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| H-II, IIA & IIB | Japan | Mitsubishi | -- | Active | 1994 | A202, A2022, A2024, A204, B | [25] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| H3 | Japan | Mitsubishi | –28,300 (base-heavy) | –14,800 (base-heavy) | (heavy) | Active | 2023 | 30S, 22S, 32L, 24L, heavy[26] | [27] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hyperbola-1 | China | i-Space | -- | -- | Active | 2019 | [28] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hyperbola-3 | China | i-Space | -13,400 | -- | -- | 2025 | VTVL | [29] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jielong 1 | China | CALT | (SSO) | -- | -- | Active | 2019 | [30] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jielong 3 | China | CALT | (500 km SSO) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2022 | [31] [32] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KAIROS | Japan | Space One | 150 (SSO) | -- | -- | Active | 2024 | [33] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kuaizhou (DF-21) | China | CASIC | (KZ-1A) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2013 | KZ-1, KZ-1A, KZ-11; (KZ-21 under development) | [34] [35] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (KZ-11) | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LauncherOne | United States | Virgin Orbit | (SSO) | -- | -- | -- | 2020 | [36] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lijian-1 (Kinetica-1) | China | CAS Space | (500 km SSO) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2022 | solid fueled carrier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lijian-2 (Kinetica-2) | China | CAS Space | (LEO) 7800 (SSO) | -- | -- | -- | 2025 | kerolox LV. reusable 1st stage | [37] [38] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 2–3–4 (DF-5) | China | CALT+SAST | Active | 1971 | See notes | 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3, 3A, 3B, 3B/E, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C. See for retired among those listed here. | [39] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 5 | China | CALT | -- | (CZ-5) | (CZ-5) | - | Active | 2016 | CZ-5 | [40] [41] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(CZ-5B) | -- | -- | CZ-5B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CZ 6–7–8 family | Long March 6 | China | SAST | (LEO) 1,080 (700 lm SSO) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2015 | 6 | [42] [43] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (700 km SSO) | -- | -- | 6A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (500 km SSO) | -- | -- | 6C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 7 | China | CALT | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2016 | 7 | [44] [45] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- | -- | 7A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 8 | China | CALT | (SSO) | > | -- | Active | 2020 | 8, 8A | [46] [47] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 9 | China | CALT | -- | -- | 2033 | partly-reusable Super-Heavy carrier | [48] [49] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 10 | China | CALT | (CZ-10) | -- | (CZ-10) | -- | 2026 | Human-rated : 10 (3-core, TLI) | [50] [51] [52] [53] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14,000 (CZ-10A, reusable) | -- | -- | Human-rated : 10A (1-core, LEO, partly reusable) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18,000 (CZ-10A, expendable) | -- | -- | Human-rated : 10A (1-core, LEO, expendable) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 11 | China | CALT | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2015 | Likely based on DF-31 missile | [54] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long March 12 | China | SAST | (LEO); 6,000 (700 km SSO) | -- | -- | -- | 2024 | kerolox LV 3.8 metres diameter | [55] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LVM 3 | India | ISRO | -- | Active | 2014 | [56] [57] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maia |  France | MaiaSpace | (SSO) | -- | -- | 2025 | Planned first stage reuse | [58] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minotaur I | United States | Orbital ATK | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2000 | Derived from the Minuteman II | [59] [60] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minotaur IV & V | United States | Orbital ATK | Active | 2010 | Also 2 suborbital launches (HTV-2a). : IV, IV Lite, IV HAPS, V. Derived from Peacekeeper missile | [61] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miura 5 |  Spain | PLD Space | -- | -- | NET 2024 | [62] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLV | United States | Firefly Aerospace | -- | -- | -- | 2025 | [63] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nebula-1 | China | Deep Blue Aerospace | -- | -- | 2024 | VTVL (first stage) | [64] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nebula-2 | China | Deep Blue Aerospace | -- | -- | 2025 | kerolox; VTVL (first stage) | [65] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neutron | New Zealand United States | Rocket Lab | -- | 2024 | [66] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Glenn | United States | Blue Origin | -- | NET 2024 | [67] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Line 1 | China | LinkSpace | (SSO) | -- | -- | unknown | [68] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NGLV | India | ISRO | -- | -- | unknown | [69] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nuri | KARI | -- | -- | Active | 2021 | [70] [71] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OS-M | China | OneSpace | (M1) | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2019 | M1, M2, M4. Single M1 failed launch; M2 & M4 in development. | [72] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pallas-1 | China | Galactic Energy | 3,000 (SSO) | -- | -- | -- | Nov. 2024 | kerolox LV with reusable 1st stage | [73] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pegasus | United States | Orbital ATK | -- | -- | -- | Active | 1990 | [74] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pioneer-1 (?) (Yuanxingzhe-1 or XZY-1) | China | Arrowhead Technology/Space Epoch | (1,100 km LEO) | -- | -- | 2025 | first stage recovery via ocean landing | [75] [76] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime | Orbex | (SSO) | -- | -- | -- | NET 2023 | [77] [78] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proton (UR-500) | USSR Russian Federation | Khrunichev | (Proton-M) | Active | 1965 | K, M, Medium in development. | [79] [80] [81] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSLV | India | ISRO | -- | Active | 1993 | CA, XL, QL, DL | [82] [83] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qased |  Iran, Islamic Republic of | IRGC | ~ | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2020 | [84] [85] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qaem-100 | Iran, Islamic Republic of | IRGC | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2023 | also one successful suborbital launch | [86] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RFA One | Rocket Factory Augsburg | -- | -- | 2024 | 1st stage combustion in Europe, Orbital Stage. | [87] [88] [89] [90] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rokot/Strela (UR-100N) | Russian Federation | Eurockot Khrunichev | -- | -- | -- | Active | 1994 | 34 Rokot launches (no launches post-2019 due to Ukrainian tech ban); 3 Strela launches. | [91] [92] [93] [94] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RS1 | United States | ABL Space Systems | -- | -- | 12 | Active | 2023 | [95] | - style="background: #f0f0d0" | Rus-M | Russian Federation | NPO Energia | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | --> | ||||||||||||||||
| Shavit |  Israel | IAI | -- | -- | Active | 1988 | Shavit, -1, -2 | [96] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simorgh | Iran, Islamic Republic of | ISA | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2016 | [97] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SK solid fueled TV2 | South Korea | MND | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2023 | solid fueled launch vehicle | [98] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SLS | United States | Orbital ATK Boeing United Launch Alliance Aerojet Rocketdyne | 95,000–130,000 | -- | –46,000 | -- | Active | 2022 | [99] [100] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soyuz | USSR Russian Federation | RSC Energia TsSKB-Progress | -- | Active | 1957 | Sputnik, Luna, Vostok-L, Vostok-K, Voskhod, Molniya, Molniya-L, Molniya-M, Polyot, Soyuz, Soyuz-L, Soyuz-M, Soyuz-U, Soyuz-FG, Soyuz-2, Soyuz-2-1v | [101] [102] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SS-520 | Japan | IHI Aerospace | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2017 | 2 successful suborbital flights and 2 orbital flights (one success). A test of how small orbital rockets can be. The rocket has a mass of only 2.6 tonnes. | [103] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SSLV | India | ISRO | -- | -- | Active | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Starship | United States | SpaceX | (expendable) | + (With in-orbit refueling) | -- | test flights | 2023 | 1st flight intended a TAO orbit; 3rd flight suborbital | [104] [105] [106] [107] [108] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (reusable) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start-1 (RT-2PM) | Russian Federation | MITT | -- | -- | -- | Active | 1993 | [109] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taurus / Minotaur-C | United States | Orbital Sciences | -- | -- | -- | Active | 1989 | 2110, 3110, 3210 | [110] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tianlong 2 | China | Space Pioneer | (LEO) 1,500 (500 km SSO) | -- | -- | Active | 2023 | liquid fueled (kerolox) carrier | [111] [112] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tianlong 3 | China | Space Pioneer | (LEO) 14,000 (500 km SSO) | -- | -- | 2024 | kerolox with reusable 1st stage | [113] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tronador | ARG | CONAE | 500 | 2030 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unha | KCST | -- | -- | -- | Active | 2006 | Paektusan based on Taepodong-1 missile; Unha based on Taepodong-2 missile. | [114] [115] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vega | Avio | -- | -- | Active | 2012 | Vega, Vega-C, Vega-E in-development. | [116] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vikram | India | Skyroot Aerospace | -- | -- | NET 2023 | Vikram 1, Vikram II, Vikram III | [117] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VLM |  Brazil | CTA | -- | -- | -- | NET 2025 | [118] [119] [120] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vulcan | United States | ULA | 17,800–34,900 | 7,400–16,300 | -- | Active | 2024 | [121] [122] [123] [124] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yenisei | Russian Federation | TsSKB-Progress RSC Energia | –115000 | -27,000 | NET 2032 | [125] [126] [127] [128] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zenit | USSR Ukraine Russian Federation | Yuzhnoye | -- | Active | 1985 | 2, 2M (2SB, 2SLB), 3SL, 3SLB, 3SLBF | [129] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zephyr | France | Latitude | -- | -- | 2025 | [130] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zero | Japan | Interstellar Technologies | (SSO) | -- | -- | 2023 | [131] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zhuque-2 | China | LandSpace | (LEO) 4000 (500 km SSO) | -- | -- | Active | 2022 | 1st methalox LV to reach: space (2022), orbit (2023), orbit with payload (12/2023) | [132] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zhuque-3 | China | LandSpace | (expendable) | -- | -- | 2025 | methalox LV with reusable 1st stage; stainless steel body | [133] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12,500-18,300 (1st stage recovered) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zuljanah | IRN | ISA | [134] | NET 2023 | Two successful suborbital flights | [135] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family | Country | Payload (kg) | Cost (US$, millions) | Launches reaching... | Status | Date of flight | Notes | Refs | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEO | GTO | TLI | Total | Space | Any orbit | Target orbit | First | Last | ||||||||
| Ariane 1-2-3 | Aérospatiale | -- | Retired | 1979 | 1989 | [136] [137] | ||||||||||
| Ariane 4 | Aérospatiale | -- | Retired | 1988 | 2003 | 40, 42P, 42L, 44P, 44L, 44LP | ||||||||||
| Ariane 5 | Airbus | [138] | –220 | Retired | 1996 | 2023 | G, G+, GS, ECA, ES. | [139] [140] [141] | ||||||||
| ASLV | India | ISRO | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1987 | 1994 | [142] | |||||||
| Athena I & II | United States | Lockheed ATK | -- | -- | Retired | 1995 | 2001 | Launch Lunar Prospector.[143] | [144] | |||||||
| Atlas I (Atlas A-B-C-D-E-F-G) | United States | Lockheed | -- | -- | Retired | 1957 | 1997 | Launch Mercury. Atlas or Centaur upper stage. | [145] [146] [147] [148] | |||||||
| Atlas II | United States | Lockheed | -- | -- | Retired | 1991 | 2004 | [149] [150] [151] | ||||||||
| Atlas III | United States | Lockheed | -- | -- | Retired | 2003 | 2005 | IIIA, IIIB | [152] [153] | |||||||
| Black Arrow | RAE Westland | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1969 | 1971 | [154] | ||||||||
| Delta | United States | Douglas | -- | -- | Retired | 1960 | 1989 | Launched Pioneer & Explorer probes. A, B, C, D, E, G, J, L, M, N, 300, 900, 1X00, 4X00, 2X00, 3X00, 5X00 | [155] | |||||||
| Delta II | United States | ULA | Retired | 1989 | 2018 | Launched Mars probes MGS to Phoenix : 6000, 7000, and Heavy. | [156] [157] | |||||||||
| Delta III | United States | Boeing | -- | -- | Retired | 1998 | 2000 | [158] [159] | ||||||||
| Delta IV | United States | ULA | -- | Retired | 2002 | 2024 | M, M+, and Heavy. | [160] | ||||||||
| Diamant | France | SEREB | 160 | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1965 | 1975 | |||||||
| Dnepr (R-36M) | Ukraine Russian Federation | Yuzhmash | -- | Retired | 1999 | 2015 | [161] [162] [163] | |||||||||
| Energia | USSR | NPO Energia | Retired | 1987 | 1988 | 1 partial failure with Polyus spacecraft, 1 successful flight with Buran shuttle. | [164] | |||||||||
| Falcon 1 | United States | SpaceX | [165] | -- | -- | [166] | Retired | 2006 | 2009 | |||||||
| Feng Bao 1 (DF-5) | China | SAST | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1972 | 1981 | 3 successful suborbital flights | [167] | ||||||
| GSLV Mark I | India | ISRO | -- | -- | Retired | 2001 | 2010 | [168] [169] [170] | ||||||||
| H-I | Japan | Mitsubishi | -- | -- | Retired | 1986 | 1992 | License-built version of the Thor-ELT | [171] | |||||||
| J-I | Japan | IHI Corporation Nissan Motors | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1996 | 1996 | Partial demonstration flight only | |||||||
| Kosmos (R-12 & R-14) | USSR | Yuzhnoye Polyot | -- | -- | Retired | 1967 | 2010 | 1, 2, 3, 3M | [172] [173] | |||||||
| Kaituozhe (DF-31) | China | CALT | -- | -- | -- | Retired (likely) | 2002 | 2017 | KT-1, KT-2, KT2-A | [174] | ||||||
| Lambda 4S | Japan | Nissan ISAS | 26 | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1966 | 1970 | |||||||
| Long March 1 | China | CALT | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1970 | 1971 | [175] [176] [177] | |||||||
| Long March 1D | China | CALT | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1995 | 2002 | 3 suborbital launches only (2 successful.) | |||||||
| Mu 1-3-4 | Japan | Nissan Motor IHI | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1966 | 1995 | 1, 3D, 4S, 3C, 3H, 3S, 3SII | [178] | ||||||
| Mu 5 | Japan | Nissan Motor IHI | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1997 | 2006 | M-V, M-V KM | |||||||
| N1 | USSR | NPO Energia | -- | -- | Retired | 1969 | 1972 | Designed for Soviet Manned Lunar Mission | [179] | |||||||
| N-I & II | Japan | Mitsubishi | -- | -- | Retired | 1975 | 1987 | Derived from the American Delta rocket | [180] | |||||||
| Naro | Khrunichev KARI | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 2009 | 2013 | First stage uses the Russian RD-151 engine | [181] | |||||||
| Safir | Iran, Islamic Republic of | ISA | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 2007 | 2019 | Numbers given here may be in dispute | [182] | ||||||
| Saturn I & IB | United States | Chrysler Douglas | -- | -- | Retired | 1961 | 1975 | Saturn 1 family also included 6 suborbital test launches | [183] [184] | |||||||
| Saturn V | United States | Boeing North American Douglas | -- | Retired | 1967 | 1973 | Apollo, Skylab | [185] [186] | ||||||||
| Scout | United States | US Air Force NASA | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1960 | 1994 | X1, X2, A, D, G | [187] | ||||||
| Shtil'/Volna-O (R-29) | Russian Federation | Makeyev | -- | -- | -- | Retired (as commercial launchers) | 1995 | 2006 | Volna, Shtil, 2.1, 2R, 3 | [188] | ||||||
| SLV | India | ISRO | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1979 | 1983 | Launched Rohini satellite series | [189] | ||||||
| STS (Space Shuttle) | United States | Alliant Martin Marietta Rockwell | -- | Retired | 1981 | 2011 | Orbiter mass: 68585 kg. | [190] | ||||||||
| Terran 1 | United States | Relativity Space | -- | -- | Retired | 2023 | 2023 | anticipates 3-D printing most rocket parts | [191] | |||||||
| Thor | United States | Douglas | -- | -- | Retired | 1957 | 1980 | Launched Pioneer & Explorer probes | ||||||||
| Titan II-(II GLV)-III-IV (LGM-25C) | United States | Martin Marietta | Retired | 1959 | 2005 | I, II, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, IIID, IIIE, 34D, IVA, IVB | [192] [193] | |||||||||
| Tsyklon (R-36) | USSR Ukraine | Yuzhmash | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1967 | 2009 | 1, 2, 3. | [194] | ||||||
| Vanguard | United States | Martin | -- | -- | -- | Retired | 1957 | 1959 | [195] | |||||||
| Zhuque-1 | China | LandSpace | -- | -- | Retired | 2018 | 2018 | [196] [197] | ||||||||