User:Alpacaaviator/sandbox: Difference between revisions
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The first US medium-lift vehicle differed as a purpose-built orbital launch vehicle, the [[Saturn I]]. Saturn I first launched in 1961, and the Saturn family would eventually grow into the heavy-lift [[Saturn IB]] and the super-heavy lift [[Saturn V]]. |
The first US medium-lift vehicle differed as a purpose-built orbital launch vehicle, the [[Saturn I]]. Saturn I first launched in 1961, and the Saturn family would eventually grow into the heavy-lift [[Saturn IB]] and the super-heavy lift [[Saturn V]]. |
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[[Atlas-Centaur]] launched in 1962, with an ICBM-derived first stage and the first use of a [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] upper stage. {{As of|2024}}, the derivative [[Atlas V]] is still operational; Centaur has seen extensive use on multiple vehicles and is operational on the Atlas V and [[Vulcan Centaur|Vulcan]] vehicles. The US also derived the [[Titan II GLV]] from an ICBM. This carried the [[ |
[[Atlas-Centaur]] launched in 1962, with an ICBM-derived first stage and the first use of a [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] upper stage. {{As of|2024}}, the derivative [[Atlas V]] is still operational; Centaur has seen extensive use on multiple vehicles and is operational on the Atlas V and [[Vulcan Centaur|Vulcan]] vehicles. The US also derived the [[Titan II GLV]] from an ICBM. This carried the [[Project_Gemini#Spacecraft|Gemini spacecraft]] which put the first American into orbit. The [[Titan (rocket family)|Titan family]] was developed into the [[Titan III]], and in 1989, the heavy-lift [[Titan IV]]. |
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Revision as of 18:42, 21 December 2024
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Medium-lift launch vehicle |
| Preceded by | Small-lift launch vehicle |
| Succeeded by | Heavy-lift launch vehicle |
| Built | Since 1958 |
| General characteristics | |
| Capacity |
|
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A medium-lift launch vehicle (MLV) is a rocket launch vehicle that is capable of lifting between 2,000 to 20,000 kg (4,400 to 44,100 lb) by NASA classification or between 5,000 to 20,000 kilograms (11,000 to 44,000 lb) by Russian classification[1] of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO).[2] An MLV is between a small-lift launch vehicle and a heavy-lift launch vehicle. Medium-lift vehicles comprise the majority of orbital launches as of 2024[update], with both the Soyuz and Falcon 9 having launched several hundred times.
History
Soviet Union
The Soviet R-7 family was based off of the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Sputnik was a small-lift derivative that carried the first satellite into orbit, but the R-7 design quickly grew in capacity, with Luna launching in 1958 as the first medium-lift launch vehicle. The 1960s saw the R-7 series continue to develop, with Vostok 1 carrying the first human into space, Voskhod carrying multiple crew members, and the first Soyuz. As of 2024[update], the R-7 family has launched more times than any other family of orbital rockets. Soyuz variants alone have launched over 1,100 times and are still operational.
United States
The first US medium-lift vehicle differed as a purpose-built orbital launch vehicle, the Saturn I. Saturn I first launched in 1961, and the Saturn family would eventually grow into the heavy-lift Saturn IB and the super-heavy lift Saturn V.
Atlas-Centaur launched in 1962, with an ICBM-derived first stage and the first use of a Centaur upper stage. As of 2024[update], the derivative Atlas V is still operational; Centaur has seen extensive use on multiple vehicles and is operational on the Atlas V and Vulcan vehicles. The US also derived the Titan II GLV from an ICBM. This carried the Gemini spacecraft which put the first American into orbit. The Titan family was developed into the Titan III, and in 1989, the heavy-lift Titan IV.
- ^ Osipov, Yuri (2004–2017). Great Russian Encyclopedia. Moscow: Great Russian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ NASA Space Technology Roadmaps – Launch Propulsion Systems, p.11 Archived 24 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine: "Small: 0-2t payloads, Medium: 2-20t payloads, Heavy: 20-50t payloads, Super Heavy: >50t payloads"