Rocket Systems

Reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle widely used for Starlink, ISS crew and cargo, commercial spacecraft and science missions.

Russian medium-lift launch vehicle used for Soyuz crew vehicles, Progress cargo spacecraft and uncrewed orbital payloads.

Three-core heavy-lift launch vehicle used for high-energy commercial, civil and national-security missions.

Five-solid-booster Atlas V configuration for high-energy spacecraft and large constellation launches during the vehicle's final operating period.

Reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle designed for commercial, civil and national-security payloads, including broadband constellation deployment.

Chinese two-stage orbital launch vehicle used for civil, commercial and state payloads in low and sun-synchronous orbit.

South Korean solid-fuel launch-vehicle demonstrator associated with defence technology validation rather than routine commercial service.

Japanese H3 configuration used for vehicle performance confirmation and operational payload launches.

Indian geosynchronous launch vehicle used for Earth observation, navigation and communications spacecraft requiring higher-energy transfer orbits.

Commercial small launch vehicle with an optional Curie kick stage for precise deployment of small spacecraft.

Little Joe was a small NASA test rocket. NASA used it for Project Mercury. It tested the escape system and head shield before people flew in space.

European small launch vehicle under test for commercial orbital missions from continental launch sites.

Air-launched solid rocket used for specialised low-Earth-orbit spacecraft deployments.

Modern ULA launch vehicle intended to replace Atlas V and Delta IV for civil, commercial and national-security missions.

Uncrewed lunar cargo lander selected for NASA Moon Base logistics and surface cargo delivery. It is listed here as a mission vehicle because the mission manifest uses it as the primary destination system.

Commercial lunar lander platform used by Intuitive Machines for NASA CLPS science and technology deliveries.

Large commercial lunar lander planned for CLPS payload delivery to the Moon.

Commercial lunar lander platform for NASA CLPS payload deliveries and lunar surface science.

Commercial small launch vehicle used for responsive low-Earth-orbit missions and technology-demonstration payloads.

Mercury-Redstone came from the Army Redstone missile. NASA changed it for Project Mercury. It carried Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom on short space flights.

Mercury-Atlas came from the Atlas missile. NASA made it safe for astronauts. It launched John Glenn and other Mercury astronauts into Earth orbit.

Scout was a small NASA solid rocket. It was designed at Langley. It launched small satellites and helped make low-cost science missions.

Little Joe II was an Apollo test rocket. NASA used it to test the Apollo escape system. It helped protect astronauts if a Saturn rocket failed.

Gemini-Titan II came from the Titan II missile. NASA changed it for Gemini. It launched two astronauts so NASA could learn docking and spacewalks.

Saturn I was NASA's first Saturn rocket. It was made to test big rocket stages. It also helped prepare the Apollo program.

Saturn IB was stronger than Saturn I. NASA used it to test Apollo in Earth orbit. Later it carried astronauts to Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz.

Saturn V was NASA's Moon rocket. It was designed by Marshall Space Flight Center with many companies. It launched Apollo astronauts to the Moon.

Saturn INT-21 was a two-stage version of Saturn V. NASA used it once to launch Skylab, the first American space station.

The Space Shuttle was NASA's reusable space system. It had an orbiter, a big tank, and two boosters. It carried people, satellites, and space station parts.

Ares I was planned for the Constellation program. It would launch Orion with astronauts. NASA cancelled it before it became an operational rocket.

Ares V was planned as a very large cargo rocket. It would help send Moon hardware. NASA cancelled it with the Constellation program.

SLS Block 1 is NASA's Artemis Moon rocket. It uses Shuttle-era engines and boosters. It launched Orion on Artemis I.

SLS Block 1B was planned with a stronger upper stage. It was meant to send Orion and cargo to the Moon. Recent Artemis changes ended this upgrade before flight.

SLS Block 2 was a later heavy version of SLS. It was planned to use better boosters. It did not fly and was cancelled before use.