View source for Super heavy-lift launch vehicle

{{short description|Launch vehicle capable of lifting more than 50 tonnes of payload into low earth orbit}}
{| {{Infobox ship begin}} <!--Infobox spaceship is not suitable here, ship is the best that we can use-->
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| Ship image = SuperHeavyLaunchers.png
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| Ship caption = Super heavy-lift launch vehicles, to scale
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{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = Super heavy-lift launch vehicle
| Class before = [[Heavy-lift launch vehicle]]
| Built range = Since 1967
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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| Header caption = 
| Ship notes = 
| Ship capacity = {{unbulleted list|
{{unbulleted list|'''US definition''': >{{cvt|50000|kg}}|'''Russian definition''': >{{cvt|100000|kg}}}}
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A '''super heavy-lift launch vehicle''' is a rocket that can lift to [[low Earth orbit]] a "super heavy payload", which is defined as more than {{convert|50|metric ton|lb|abbr=}}<ref name="classes">{{cite web |last1=McConnaughey |first1=Paul K. |last2=Femminineo |first2=Mark G. |last3=Koelfgen |first3=Syri J. |last4=Lepsch |first4=Roger A. |last5=Ryan |first5=Richard M. |last6=Taylor |first6=Steven A. |display-authors=1 |date=November 2010 |title=Draft Launch Propulsion Systems Roadmap: Technology Area 01 |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/500393main_TA01-LaunchPropulsion-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324110232/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/500393main_TA01-LaunchPropulsion-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2016 |access-date=28 February 2016 |publisher=NASA |at=Section 1.3 |quote=Small: 0–2 t payloads; Medium: 2–20 t payloads; Heavy: 20–50 t payloads; Super Heavy: > 50 t payloads.}}</ref><ref name="hsf200910">{{cite web |date=October 2009 |title=Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf |series=Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee |publisher=NASA |pages=64–66 |quote=...the U.S. human spaceflight program will require a heavy-lift launcher ... in the range of 25 to 40 mt ... this strongly favors a minimum heavy-lift capacity of roughly 50 mt.... |access-date=28 February 2016 |archive-date=16 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216063908/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> by the United States and as more than {{Convert|100|metric ton|lb}} by Russia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Osipov |first=Yury |url=https://bigenc.ru/technology_and_technique/text/3492657 |title=Great Russian Encyclopedia |publisher=Great Russian Encyclopedia |year=2004–2017 |location=Moscow |access-date=9 June 2021 |archive-date=27 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527140116/https://bigenc.ru/technology_and_technique/text/3492657 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the most capable [[launch vehicle]] classification by mass to orbit, exceeding that of the [[heavy-lift launch vehicle|heavy-lift launch vehicle classification]].

Only 14 such payloads were successfully launched before 2022: 12 as part of the Apollo program before 1972 and two [[Energia (rocket)|Energia]] launches, in 1987 and 1988. Most planned crewed [[Lunar mission|lunar]] and [[Interplanetary spaceflight|interplanetary missions]] depend on these launch vehicles.

Several super heavy-lift launch vehicle concepts were produced in the 1960s,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-03 |title=The Enormous Sea-Launched Rocket That Never Flew |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25915/sea-dragon-history-curious-droid/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-US}}</ref> including the [[Sea Dragon (rocket)|Sea Dragon]]. During the [[Space Race]], the [[Saturn V]] and [[N1 (rocket)|N1]] were built by the United States and Soviet Union, respectively. After the Saturn V's successful Apollo program and the N1's failures, the Soviets' Energia launched twice in the 1980s, once bearing the [[Buran (spacecraft)|Buran spaceplane]]. The next two decades saw multiple concepts drawn out once again, most notably [[Shuttle-derived vehicle|Space Shuttle-derived vehicles]] and [[Rus-M]], but none were built. In the 2010s, super heavy-lift launch vehicles received interest once again, leading to the launch of the [[Falcon Heavy]], the [[Space Launch System]], and [[SpaceX Starship|Starship]], and the beginning of development of the [[Long March (rocket family)|Long March]] and [[Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei rockets]].

==Flown vehicles==
===Retired===
* [[Saturn V]] was a [[NASA]] <!-- ([[Federal Government of the United States|US government-funded]]) -->launch vehicle that made 13 [[orbital spaceflight|orbital]] launches between 1967 and 1973, principally for the [[Apollo program]] through 1972. The Apollo lunar payload included a [[Apollo command module|command module]], [[Apollo Service Module|service module]], and [[Apollo Lunar Module|Lunar Module]], with a total mass of {{cvt|45|t|lb}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059C |title=Apollo 11 Lunar Module |publisher=NASA |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210000821/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059C |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059A |title=Apollo 11 Command and Service Module (CSM) |publisher=NASA |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210000804/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059A |url-status=live }}</ref> When the third stage and Earth-orbit departure fuel was included, Saturn V placed approximately {{convert|140|t|lb|abbr=on}} into low Earth orbit.<ref name="Space-Launch Capabilities">{{Citation |title=Alternatives for Future U.S. Space-Launch Capabilities |publisher=The Congress of the United States. Congressional Budget Office |date=October 2006 |pages=X, 1, 4, 9 |url=https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/10-09-spacelaunch.pdf |access-date=16 March 2016 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001030246/https://www.cbo.gov/publication/18196 |url-status=live }}</ref> The final launch of Saturn V in 1973 placed ''[[Skylab]]'', a {{convert|170,000|lb|t|adj=on|order=flip}} payload, into LEO.
* The [[Energia (rocket)|Energia]] launcher was designed by the [[Soviet Union]] to launch up to {{convert|105|t|lb|abbr=on}} to low Earth orbit.<ref name="polyus">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.astronautix.com/p/polyus.html |title=Polyus |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-date=25 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525131848/http://www.astronautix.com/p/polyus.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Energia launched twice in 1987/88 before the program was cancelled by the [[Government of Russia|Russian government]], which succeeded the Soviet Union, but only the second flight payload reached orbit. On the first flight, launching the [[Polyus (spacecraft)|Polyus]] weapons platform (approximately {{convert|80|t|lb|abbr=on}}), the vehicle failed to enter orbit due to a software error on the kick-stage.<ref name="polyus" /> The second flight successfully launched the [[Buran (spacecraft)|Buran]] orbiter.<ref name="buran">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.astronautix.com/b/buran.html |title=Buran |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702165618/http://www.astronautix.com/b/buran.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Buran was intended to be reusable, similar to the [[Space Shuttle Orbiter]], but it relied entirely on the disposable launcher Energia to reach orbit.

=== Operational ===
<!-- super heavy lift vehicles may carry 50 tonnes to LEO; but the high delta-v of a super-heavy lift vehicle is also required to carry smaller payloads (< 50 tonnes) to more energetic orbits, such as to [[Mars transfer orbit]] -->
* [[Falcon Heavy]] is rated to launch {{cvt|63.8|t|lb}} to low Earth orbit (LEO) in a fully expendable configuration and an estimated {{cvt|57|t|lb}} in a partially [[reusable launch system|reusable]] configuration, in which only two of its three boosters are recovered.<ref name="2of3">{{cite tweet |number=963094533830426624 |title=Side boosters landing on droneships & center expended is only ~10% performance penalty vs fully expended. Cost is only slightly higher than an expended F9, so around $95M. |user=elonmusk |first=Elon |last=Musk |date=12 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="capabilities">{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities |title=Capabilities & Services |publisher=SpaceX |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=15 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115000324/http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|A configuration in which all three cores are intended to be recoverable is classified as a [[heavy-lift launch vehicle]] since its maximum possible payload to LEO is under 50,000 kg.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=elonmusk|author=Elon Musk|number=726559990480150528|date=30 April 2016|title=@elonmusk Max performance numbers are for expendable launches. Subtract 30% to 40% for reusable booster payload.}}</ref><ref name="capabilities" />}} The latter configuration flew on 1 November 2022,<ref name="sfn-20211004">{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/10/04/payload-issue-delays-spacexs-next-falcon-heavy-launch-to-early-2022/ |title=Payload issue delays SpaceX's next Falcon Heavy launch to early 2022 |work=Spaceflight Now |date=4 October 2021 |access-date=7 November 2021 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531004440/https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/10/04/payload-issue-delays-spacexs-next-falcon-heavy-launch-to-early-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but with a much smaller ~{{cvt|3700|kg}} payload being launched to [[geostationary orbit]] with maximum of ~{{cvt|9200|kg}} payload being launched to [[geostationary orbit]] on 29 July 2023 on the rocket's seventh overall flight. The fully expendable configuration first flew on 1 May 2023, but with a much smaller ~{{cvt|6722|kg}} payload being launched to [[geostationary orbit]]. The [[Falcon Heavy test flight|first test flight]] occurred on 6 February 2018, in a configuration in which recovery of all three boosters was attempted, with [[Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster]] of {{cvt|1250|kg}} sent to an orbit [[Heliocentric orbit#Trans-Mars injection|beyond Mars]].<ref name="NYT Heavy">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/science/falcon-heavy-spacex-launch.html |title=Falcon Heavy, SpaceX's Big New Rocket, Succeeds in Its First Test Launch |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=February 6, 2018 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |access-date=February 6, 2018 |archive-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216153657/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/science/falcon-heavy-spacex-launch.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=-143205 |title=Tesla Roadster (AKA: Starman, 2018-017A) |date=March 1, 2018 |website=ssd.jpl.nasa.gov |access-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-date=22 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222032845/https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=-143205 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=AF_SMC|author=SMC|number=1141099481628364808|date=18 June 2019|title=The 3700 kg Integrated Payload Stack (IPS) for #STP2 has been completed! Have a look before it blasts off on the first #DoD Falcon Heavy launch! #SMC #SpaceStartsHere}}</ref>
* The [[Space Launch System]] (SLS) is a US government super heavy-lift [[Expendable launch system|expendable launch vehicle]] developed by NASA and launched its [[Artemis 1|first mission]] on 16 November 2022. It is slated to be the primary launch vehicle for [[NASA]]'s [[deep space exploration]] plans,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/SLSpresentation.html|title=SLS Carries Deep Space Potential|last=Siceloff|first=Steven|date=April 12, 2015|website=Nasa.gov|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224004451/https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/SLSpresentation.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iflscience.com/space/worlds-most-powerful-deep-space-rocket-set-launch-2018/|title=World's Most Powerful Deep Space Rocket Set To Launch In 2018|website=Iflscience.com|date=29 August 2014|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901090830/http://www.iflscience.com/space/worlds-most-powerful-deep-space-rocket-set-launch-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> including the planned crewed lunar flights of the [[Artemis program]] and a possible follow-on [[human mission to Mars]] in the 2030s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airspacemag.com/space/bigger-saturn-bound-deep-space-180952802/|title=Bigger Than Saturn, Bound for Deep Space|last=Chiles|first=James R.|website=Airspacemag.com|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212201239/https://www.airspacemag.com/space/bigger-saturn-bound-deep-space-180952802/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/for-the-first-time-nasa-has-begun-detailing-its-deep-space-exploration-plans/|title=Finally, some details about how NASA actually plans to get to Mars|website=Arstechnica.com|date=28 March 2017|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713182116/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/for-the-first-time-nasa-has-begun-detailing-its-deep-space-exploration-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nsf-201704062">{{cite news|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/nasa-goals-missions-sls-eyes-multi-step-mars/|title=NASA finally sets goals, missions for SLS – eyes multi-step plan to Mars|last=Gebhardt|first=Chris|date=April 6, 2017|access-date=August 21, 2017|website=NASASpaceFlight.com|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821221210/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/nasa-goals-missions-sls-eyes-multi-step-mars/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Under development ===

* The [[SpaceX Starship]] system is a [[two-stage-to-orbit]] fully [[reusable launch vehicle]] being privately developed by [[SpaceX]], consisting of the [[SpaceX Super Heavy|Super Heavy]] booster as the first stage and a second stage, also called [[SpaceX Starship (spacecraft)|Starship]].<ref name=ars20190929>{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/features/2019/09/after-starship-unveiling-mars-seems-a-little-closer/ |title=Elon Musk, Man of Steel, reveals his stainless Starship |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=29 September 2019 |access-date=30 September 2019 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228174451/https://arstechnica.com/features/2019/09/after-starship-unveiling-mars-seems-a-little-closer/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="spaceXstarship">{{cite web|title=Starship|url=https://www.spacex.com/starship|access-date=2 October 2019|publisher=SpaceX|archive-date=30 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930163150/https://www.spacex.com/starship|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is designed to be a long-duration [[Cargo spacecraft|cargo]] and [[Human spaceflight|passenger-carrying spacecraft]].<ref name="engadget20181120">{{cite news |last1=Lawler |first1=Richard |title=SpaceX BFR has a new name: Starship |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/11/20/starship-bfr-spacex/ |access-date=21 November 2018 |work=Engadget |date=20 November 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120213752/https://www.engadget.com/2018/11/20/starship-bfr-spacex/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After two failed flight tests,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Therrien |first1=Alex |last2=Whitehead |first2=Jamie |date=April 20, 2023 |title=SpaceX Starship live: SpaceX Starship finally launches but blows up after take-off |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/science-environment-65330571 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420161118/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/science-environment-65330571 |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=2023-11-18 |title=Live updates: SpaceX Starship rocket lost in second test flight |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-scn/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118150906/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/spacex-starship-launch-scn/index.html |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref> Starship completed its first successful launch on its third flight on March 14, 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Ryan |date=2024-03-13 |title=Starship Flight 3 Excels through most Major Milestones |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/03/starship-3rd-time/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and achieved soft landing of both stages on its fourth flight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/06/science/spacex-starship-launch-fourth-test-flight-scn/index.html|title=SpaceX soars through new milestones in test flight of the most powerful rocket ever built|date=June 6, 2024|access-date=June 6, 2024}}</ref>
* The [[Long March 9]] is a Chinese three-stage-to-orbit partially reusable launch vehicle currently being developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The design has undergone numerous major changes over the years and with the most recent designs showing some resemblance to the SpaceX Starship. The Long March 9 is planned to be operational by the early 2030s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beil |first=Adrian |date=2023-04-28 |title=How Chang Zheng 9 arrived at the "Starship-like" design |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/04/cz-9-update/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511031257/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/04/cz-9-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The [[Long March 10]] is a Chinese three-stage-to-orbit partially reusable launch vehicle currently being developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology with an initial launch targeting the 2025–2027 time range.

=== Unsuccessfully flown ===

* The [[N1 (rocket)|N1]] was a three-stage super heavy lift launch vehicle developed in the Soviet Union from 1965 to 1974. It was the Soviet counterpart to the [[Saturn V]], however all four test flights of the vehicle ended in flight failure. For lunar missions, it would carry the L3 crewed lunar payload into Low Earth Orbit, which had an additional two stages, a [[Soyuz 7K-LOK]] as a mothership and an [[LK (spacecraft)|LK lunar lander]] that would be used for crewed lunar landings. Its Block A first stage held the record for the most thrust of any rocket stage built until it was superseded by the [[SpaceX Super Heavy|Super Heavy booster]] on its first flight.

==Comparison==
{{sticky header}}{{sort under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header sort-under" style="font-size: 85%;"
|-
! scope=col | Rocket
! scope=col | Configuration
! scope=col | Organization
! scope=col | Nationality
! scope=col | [[Human-rating certification|Human rated]]
! scope=col | Max First Stage Thrust
! scope=col | Mass to [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]]
! scope=col | Maiden successful orbital flight
! scope=col | First >50{{nnbsp}}t payload
! scope=col | Status
! scope=col | Reusable
! scope=col | Launches<br>(success{{nnbsp}}/{{nnbsp}}total)
! scope=col | Launch cost
! scope=col | Launch cost<br>(2020, US$ in millions)
! scope=col | Cost{{nnbsp}}/{{nnbsp}}t<br>(2020, US$ in millions)
|-
|[[Saturn V]]
|[[Apollo (spacecraft)|Apollo]]/[[Skylab]]
| [[NASA]]
| {{USA}}
| {{Yes}}
| 34,500&nbsp;kN<br />(7,750,000&nbsp;lbf)
|  {{cvt|140|t|lb}}{{Ref|SaturnV|A}}
| {{Yes|1967}}
| {{Yes|1967}}
| {{Dropped|Retired<br />(1973)}}
| {{No}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 12{{Ref|Apollo6|G}} / 13
| {{US$|1.23 billion}} (2019)
| US${{nts|1,245}}
| $8.9
|-
| colspan="2" |[[N1 (rocket)|N1]]
|[[OKB-1]]
|{{USSR}}
|{{Failure|Not achieved}}
| 45,400&nbsp;kN<br />(10,200,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|95|t|lb}}
|{{Failure|None}}
|{{Failure|None}}
|{{Failure|Cancelled (1974)}}
|{{Failure|No}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 0 / 4
|3 billion {{Russian ruble|link=Soviet rouble|oldsign=yes}} (1971)
|US${{nts|1500}}<ref>{{cite web |title=N1 1964 |url=http://www.astronautix.com/n/n11964.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302121458/http://www.astronautix.com/n/n11964.html |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=4 September 2022}} (adjusted for inflation since 1985)</ref>
|$16
|-
| colspan="2" |[[Energia (rocket)|Energia]]
|[[NPO Energia]]
|{{USSR}}
|{{Failure|Not achieved}}
| 34,800&nbsp;kN<br />(7,800,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|100|t|lb}}{{Ref|Energia|B}}
|{{Yes|(1987)}}
|{{Yes|(1987)}}
|{{Dropped|Retired<br />(1988)}}
|{{Failure|No}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2 / 2
|US$764 million (1985)
|US$1,838
|$18
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Falcon Heavy]]
|Recoverable Side Boosters
| rowspan="2" |[[SpaceX]]
| rowspan="2" |{{USA}}
|{{Failure|No}}
| rowspan="2" | 22,800&nbsp;kN<br />(5,100,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|57|t|lb}}<ref name="2of3" />
|{{Yes|2022}}
|{{Not yet}}
|{{Yes|Operational but mass untested}}
|{{Partial|Partially}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 6 / 6 {{Ref|FHrcore|F}}
|US$90 million (2018)
|US$92
|$1.6
|-
|Expended
|{{Failure|No}}
| {{cvt|63.8|t|lb}}<ref name="sxfh">{{cite web |title=Falcon Heavy |url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon-heavy |publisher=SpaceX |access-date=April 5, 2017 |date=2012-11-16 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519020710/https://www.spacex.com/falcon-heavy |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{Yes|2023}}
|{{Not yet}}
|{{Yes|Operational but mass untested}}
|{{Failure|No}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2 / 2 {{Ref|FHrcore|F}}
|US$150 million (2018)
|US$154
|$2.4
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Space Launch System|SLS]]
|Block 1
| rowspan="3" |NASA
| rowspan="3" |{{USA}}
|{{Yes}}
| rowspan="2" | 39,000&nbsp;kN<br />(8,800,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|95|t|lb}}<ref name="NASA 2018 Update">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/to-the-moon.html |title=The Great Escape: SLS Provides Power for Missions to the Moon |publisher=[[NASA]] |editor-first=Jennifer |editor-last=Harbaugh |date=9 July 2018 |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=11 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211052148/https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/to-the-moon.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Ref|SLS|D}}
|{{Yes|2022}}
|{{Yes|2022}}
|{{Yes|Operational}}
|{{Failure|No}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1 / 1
|US$2.2 billion (2021)
|US${{nts|2,100}}
|${{nts|22.1}}
|-
|Block 1B
|{{Planned}}
| {{cvt|105|t|lb}}<ref name=slsfact-20171011>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/sls_fact_sheet_final_10112017.pdf |title=Space Launch System |series=NASA Facts |publisher=[[NASA]] |date=11 October 2017 |access-date=4 September 2018 |id=FS-2017-09-92-MSFC |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224004504/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/sls_fact_sheet_final_10112017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{Planned|Planned (2028)}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Failure|No}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
|Block 2
|{{Planned}}
|41,000&nbsp;kN<br />(9,200,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|130|t|lb}}<ref name=creech-2014>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Creech_SLS_Deep_Space.pdf |title=NASA's Space Launch System: A Capability for Deep Space Exploration |publisher=[[NASA]] |first=Stephen |last=Creech |page=2 |date=April 2014 |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307231643/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Creech_SLS_Deep_Space.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{Planned|Planned (2031)}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Failure|No}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[SpaceX Starship|Starship]]
|[[SpaceX Starship#Block 1|Block 1]]
| rowspan="3" |SpaceX
| rowspan="3" |{{USA}}
|{{Failure|No}}
|{{Cvt|69.9|MN|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LToevABm4k |title=Elon Reveals Starship Version 3; We Have Questions! |language=en |access-date=2024-04-17 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
| {{cvt|100|t|lb}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=Apr 17, 2024 |title=SpaceX – Starship |url=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/ |access-date=Apr 17, 2024 |website=SpaceX}}</ref>{{Ref|BFRMass|E}}
|{{Failure|Not planned}}
|{{Failure|Not planned}}
|{{Partial|Flight testing}}
|{{Failure|No{{Ref|RecoverYesReuseNo|J}}}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{SpaceX Starship Statistics|totalLaunchSuccess}}<!--Do not change IFT-3's status from "success" without prior discussion --> / {{SpaceX Starship Statistics|totalLaunches}}
|Projected US$<90 million (2024)<ref name="fool">{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Rich |date=February 11, 2024 |title=The Secret to SpaceX's $10 Million Starship, and How SpaceX Will Dominate Space for Years to Come |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/11/the-secret-to-spacexs-10-million-starship-and-how/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212055454/https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/11/the-secret-to-spacexs-10-million-starship-and-how/ |archive-date=12 February 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |work=[[The Motley Fool]]}}</ref>{{Ref|ThirdParty|I}}
|US$<75
|$<0.75
|-
|[[SpaceX Starship#Block 2|Block 2]]
|{{Partial|Unknown}}
| {{Cvt|80.8|MN|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" />
| {{cvt|150|t|lb}}<ref name=":1" />{{Ref|BFRMass|E}}
|{{Planned|Planned (2025)}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Yes|Fully}}
|{{N/a}}
|Projected US$<10 million (2024)<ref name="fool" />{{Ref|ThirdParty|I}}
|US$<8.4
|$<0.056
|-
|[[SpaceX Starship#Block 3|Block 3]]
|{{Planned}}
| {{Cvt|98|MN|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" />
| {{cvt|200|t|lb}}<ref name="Ars">{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=2024-04-08 |title=Elon Musk just gave another Mars speech—this time the vision seems tangible |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/04/elon-musk-just-gave-another-mars-speech-this-time-the-vision-seems-tangible/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>{{Ref|BFRMass|E}}
|{{TBA}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Yes|Fully}}
|{{N/a}}
|Projected US$<6 million (2024)<ref name="Ars" />
|US$<5
|$<0.025
|-
| colspan="2" |[[Long March 10]]
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{CHN}}
|{{Planned}}
| 26,250&nbsp;kN<br />(5,900,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|70|t|lb}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Xin |first=Ling |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3260874/chinas-most-powerful-space-engine-configuration-ready-flight |title=China's most powerful space engine configuration is 'ready for flight' |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=30 April 2024 |access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>
|{{Planned|Planned (2027)}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Failure|No}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
| colspan="2" |[[Long March 9]]
|[[China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|CALT]]
|{{CHN}}
|{{Planned}}
| 60,000&nbsp;kN<br />(13,490,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|150|t|lb}}<ref name="NSF20230303">{{Cite web |author=Beil |first=Adrian |date=2023-03-03 |title=Starship debut leading the rocket industry toward full reusability |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/starship-debut-reusability/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310202105/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/starship-debut-reusability/ |archive-date=10 March 2023 |accessdate=2023-03-05 |publisher=NASASpaceflight.com |language=}}</ref>
|{{Planned|Planned (2033)}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Partial|Partially}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]]
|Yenisei
| rowspan="2" |[[Progress Rocket Space Centre|Progress]]
| rowspan="2" |{{RUS}}
|{{Planned}}
| rowspan="2" | 43,500&nbsp;kN<br />(9,780,000&nbsp;lbf)
| {{cvt|103|t|lb}}
|{{TBA}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Failure|No}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
|Don
|{{Planned}}
| {{cvt|130|t|lb}}
|{{TBA}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Planned|Under development}}
|{{Failure|No}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|}
{{Note|SaturnV|A}} Includes mass of Apollo command and service modules, Apollo Lunar Module, [[Apollo (spacecraft)#Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA)|Spacecraft/LM Adapter]], [[Saturn V Instrument Unit]], [[S-IVB]] stage, and propellant for [[translunar injection]]; payload mass to LEO is about {{cvt|122.4|t|lb}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.space.com/33691-space-launch-system-most-powerful-rocket.html | title=Yes, NASA's New Megarocket Will be More Powerful Than the Saturn V | website=[[Space.com]] | date=16 August 2016 | access-date=19 September 2018 | archive-date=7 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807153357/https://www.space.com/33691-space-launch-system-most-powerful-rocket.html | url-status=live }}</ref><br />
{{Note|Energia|B}} Required upper stage or payload to perform final orbital insertion<br />
{{Note|Heavy2|C}} Side booster cores recoverable, center core intentionally expended. First re-use of the side boosters was demonstrated in 2019 when the ones used on the [[Arabsat-6A]] launch were reused on the STP-2 launch.<br />
{{Note|SLS|D}} Includes mass of [[Orion (spacecraft)|Orion spacecraft]], [[European Service Module]], [[Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage]], and propellant for [[translunar injection]]<br/>
{{Note|BFRMass|E}} Does not include dry mass of spaceship <br/>
{{Note|FHrcore|F}}Falcon Heavy has launched 11 times since 2018, but first three times did not qualify as a "super heavy" because recovery of the center core was attempted.<br/>
{{Note|Apollo6|G}}[[Apollo 6]] was a "partial failure": It reached orbit, but had problems with the second and third stages.<br/>
{{Note|ThirdParty|I}}Estimate by third party.<br/>
{{Note|RecoverYesReuseNo|J}} The booster has been recovered on [[Starship flight test 5]], but will not be reused.

==Proposed designs==
===Chinese proposals===
[[Long March 10]] was first proposed in 2018 as a concept for the [[Chinese Lunar Exploration Program]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.space.com/china-rocket-for-crewed-moon-missions | title=China is building a new rocket to fly its astronauts on the moon | website=[[Space.com]] | date=October 2020 | access-date=1 December 2020 | archive-date=29 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129130348/https://www.space.com/china-rocket-for-crewed-moon-missions | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Long March 9]], an over {{cvt|150|t|lb}} to LEO capable rocket was proposed in 2018<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spacenews.com/china-reveals-details-for-super-heavy-lift-long-march-9-and-reusable-long-march-8-rockets/ | title=China reveals details for super-heavy-lift Long March 9 and reusable Long March 8 rockets | date=5 July 2018 | access-date=11 November 2020 | archive-date=12 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312012153/https://spacenews.com/china-reveals-details-for-super-heavy-lift-long-march-9-and-reusable-long-march-8-rockets/ | url-status=live }}</ref> by [[China]], with plans to launch the rocket by 2028. The length of the Long March-9 will exceed 114 meters, and the rocket would have a core stage with a diameter of 10 meters. [[Long March 9]] is expected to carry a payload of over 150 tonnes into low-Earth orbit, with a capacity of over 50 tonnes for Earth-Moon transfer orbit.<ref name="LM9">{{cite news |author=Xuequan |first=Mu |date=September 19, 2018 |title=China to launch Long March-9 rocket in 2028 |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/19/c_137477227.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919015034/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/19/c_137477227.htm |archive-date=19 September 2018 |newspaper=Xinhua}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E9%A0%AD%E6%A2%9D%E6%8F%AD%E5%AF%86-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E7%89%88%E6%98%9F%E8%89%A62030%E9%A6%96%E9%A3%9B-%E9%99%B8%E9%95%B7%E5%BE%819%E8%99%9F%E8%B6%85%E9%87%8D%E5%9E%8B%E7%81%AB%E7%AE%AD%E5%AE%9A%E6%A1%88-204232061.html |title=頭條揭密》中國版星艦2030首飛 陸長征9號超重型火箭定案 |author=盧伯華 |date=2022-12-01 |publisher=中国新闻网 |language=zh-hant |accessdate=2023-01-07 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503201422/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E9%A0%AD%E6%A2%9D%E6%8F%AD%E5%AF%86-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E7%89%88%E6%98%9F%E8%89%A62030%E9%A6%96%E9%A3%9B-%E9%99%B8%E9%95%B7%E5%BE%819%E8%99%9F%E8%B6%85%E9%87%8D%E5%9E%8B%E7%81%AB%E7%AE%AD%E5%AE%9A%E6%A1%88-204232061.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Development was approved in 2021.<ref name="ars-20210224">{{cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/china-officially-plans-to-move-ahead-with-super-heavy-long-march-9-rocket/ |title=China officially plans to move ahead with super-heavy Long March 9 rocket |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=24 February 2021 |access-date=1 March 2021 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228215251/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/china-officially-plans-to-move-ahead-with-super-heavy-long-march-9-rocket/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Russian proposals===
[[Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]],<ref name=zak-yenisei>{{cite web |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/superheavy.html |title=The Yenisei super-heavy rocket |work=RussianSpaceWeb |first=Anatoly |last=Zak |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=20 February 2019 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128132647/http://www.russianspaceweb.com/superheavy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a super heavy-lift launch vehicle using existing components instead of pushing the less-powerful [[Angara A5]]V project, was proposed by Russia's [[RSC Energia]] in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://izvestia.ru/news/628028 |language=ru |title="Роскосмос" создаст новую сверхтяжелую ракету |newspaper=[[Izvestia]] |date=22 August 2016 |access-date=22 August 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915233634/http://izvestia.ru/news/628028 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A revival of the Energia booster was proposed in 2016, also to avoid pushing the Angara project.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://izvestia.ru/news/628028 |script-title=ru:"Роскосмос" создаст новую сверхтяжелую ракету |newspaper=[[Izvestia]] |date=August 22, 2016 |language=ru |access-date=22 August 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915233634/http://izvestia.ru/news/628028 |url-status=live }}</ref> If developed, this vehicle could allow Russia to launch missions towards establishing a [[Colonization of the Moon|permanent Moon base]]<!--Lunar Orbital Station?--> with simpler logistics, launching just one or two 80-to-160-tonne super-heavy rockets instead of four 40-tonne Angara A5Vs implying quick-sequence launches and multiple in-orbit rendezvous. In February 2018, the КРК СТК (space rocket complex of the super-heavy class) design was updated to lift at least 90 tonnes to LEO and 20 tonnes to lunar polar orbit, and to be launched from [[Vostochny Cosmodrome]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ria.ru/science/20180202/1513856956.html |title=РКК "Энергия" стала головным разработчиком сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя |trans-title=RSC Energia is the lead developer of the super-heavy carrier rocket |work=RIA.ru |agency=RIA Novosti |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=3 February 2018 |archive-date=3 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203235730/https://ria.ru/science/20180202/1513856956.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first flight is scheduled for 2028, with Moon landings starting in 2030.<ref name=popmech-20190208>{{cite news |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a16761777/russia-super-heavy-rocket/ |title=Russia Is Now Working on a Super Heavy Rocket of Its Own |work=[[Popular Mechanics]] |first=Anatoly |last=Zak |date=8 February 2019 |access-date=20 February 2019 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129152744/https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a16761777/russia-super-heavy-rocket/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- so is there anything to this (funding, component building, etc.), or is it just a paper proposal? (that has been paused/stopped/?) --> It looks like this proposal has been at least paused.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.newizv.ru/news/tech/17-09-2021/better-late-than-never-why-the-development-of-the-yenisei-launch-vehicle-was-stopped |title=Better late than never: why the development of the Yenisei launch vehicle was stopped |date=17 September 2021 |access-date=7 November 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107234927/https://en.newizv.ru/news/tech/17-09-2021/better-late-than-never-why-the-development-of-the-yenisei-launch-vehicle-was-stopped |url-status=live }}</ref>

===US proposals===

[[Blue Origin]] has plans for a project following their [[New Glenn]] rocket, termed ''New Armstrong'', which some media sources have speculated will be a larger launch vehicle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/blue-origins-huge-new-rocket-has-a-nose-cone-bigger-than-its-current-rocket/|title=Blue Origin's huge new rocket has a nose cone bigger than its current rocket|newspaper=Cnet|access-date=16 December 2020|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205054439/https://www.cnet.com/news/blue-origins-huge-new-rocket-has-a-nose-cone-bigger-than-its-current-rocket/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Cancelled designs==
[[File:Comparison of Sea Dragon to ITS.png|thumb|upright=1.6|Comparison of Saturn V, [[Sea Dragon (rocket)|Sea Dragon]] and [[Interplanetary Transport System]]]]
[[File:Maximum Payload.PNG|thumb|upright=1.6|Comparison of Space Shuttle, [[Ares I]], Saturn V and [[Ares V]]]]
Numerous super-heavy-lift vehicles have been proposed and received various levels of development prior to their cancellation.

As part of the [[Soviet crewed lunar programs|Soviet crewed lunar project]] to compete with Apollo/Saturn V, the [[N1 (rocket)|N1 rocket]] was secretly designed with a payload capacity of {{cvt|95|t|lb}}. Four test vehicles were launched from 1969 to 1972, but all failed shortly after lift-off.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/n1.html |title=N1 Moon Rocket |work=Russianspaceweb.com |access-date=28 February 2016 |archive-date=10 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110054900/http://www.russianspaceweb.com/n1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The program was suspended in May 1974 and formally cancelled in March 1976.<ref name="Harvey2007">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVeY7vMCtOkC&pg=PA230 |title=Soviet and Russian Lunar Exploration |publisher=Springer Science+Business Media |series=Springer-Praxis Books in Space Exploration |first=Brian |last=Harvey |page=230 |date=2007 |isbn=978-0-387-21896-0 |access-date=10 February 2018 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224024629/https://books.google.com/books?id=nVeY7vMCtOkC&pg=PA230#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="vanPelt2017">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HiclDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22 |title=Dream Missions: Space Colonies, Nuclear Spacecraft and Other Possibilities |publisher=Springer Science+Business Media |series=Springer-Praxis Books in Space Exploration |first=Michel |last=van Pelt |page=22 |date=2017 |isbn=978-3-319-53939-3 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-53941-6 |access-date=10 February 2018 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814121648/https://books.google.com/books?id=HiclDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA22 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Soviet [[Universal Rocket|UR-700]] rocket design concept competed against the N1, but was never developed. In the concept, it was to have had a payload capacity of up to {{cvt|151|t|lb}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/u/ur-700.html|title=Russian UR-700 launch vehicle|access-date=November 13, 2022|publisher=astronautix.com|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807053530/http://astronautix.com/u/ur-700.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to low earth orbit.

During project [[Martian Piloted Complex|Aelita]] (1969–1972), the Soviets were developing a way to beat the Americans to Mars. They designed the [[UR-700]]A, [[Nuclear thermal rocket|a nuclear powered]] variant of the UR-700, and UR-700M, a LOx/Kerosene variant to assemble the {{cvt|1400|t|lb}} MK-700 spacecraft in earth orbit in two launches. The UR-700M would have a payload capacity of {{cvt|750|t|lb}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UR-700M |url=http://astronautix.com/u/ur-700m.html |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=astronautix.com |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326225758/http://astronautix.com/u/ur-700m.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The only Universal Rocket to make it past the design phase was the [[UR-500]] while the N1 was selected to be the Soviets' HLV for lunar and Martian missions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/u/ur-700m.html|title=UR-700M|website=www.astronautix.com|access-date=2019-10-10|archive-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008052038/http://www.astronautix.com/u/ur-700m.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Universal Rocket#UR-900|UR-900]], proposed in 1969, would have had a payload capacity of {{cvt|240|t|lb}} to low earth orbit. It never left the drawing board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian UR-900 launch vehicle |url=http://www.astronautix.com/u/ur-900.html |access-date=November 12, 2022 |publisher=astronautix.com |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106165127/http://www.astronautix.com/u/ur-900.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[General Dynamics Nexus]] was proposed in the 1960s as a fully reusable successor to the Saturn V rocket, having the capacity of transporting up to {{cvt|990000-2000000|lb|t|order=flip}} to orbit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4221/ch2.htm|title=SP-4221 The Space Shuttle Decision Chapter 2 NASA's Uncertain Future|access-date=November 13, 2022|publisher=NASA|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001062659/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4221/ch2.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/n/nexus.html|title=U.S. Nexus SSTO VTOVL launch vehicle|access-date=November 13, 2022|publisher=astronautix.com|archive-date=25 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825081206/http://www.astronautix.com/n/nexus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The American [[Saturn MLV]] family of rockets was proposed in 1965 by NASA as successors to the Saturn V rocket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19650020081|title=Modified Launch Vehicle (MLV) Saturn V Improvement Study Composite Summary Report|date=2 July 1965|access-date=November 13, 2022|publisher=NASA NTRS|archive-date=14 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014133/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19650020081|url-status=live}}</ref> It would have been able to carry up to {{cvt|160,880|kg|lb}} to low Earth orbit. The [[Nova (rocket)|Nova]] designs were also studied by NASA before the agency chose the Saturn V in the early 1960s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://astronomy.com/news/2019/05/nova-the-apollo-rocket-that-never-was|title=Nova: The Apollo rocket that never was|first=Amy Shira|last=Teitel|date=May 31, 2019|publisher=Astronomy Magazine|access-date=November 13, 2022|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116081601/https://astronomy.com/news/2019/05/nova-the-apollo-rocket-that-never-was|url-status=live}}</ref> Nova was cancelled in 1964 and had reusable variants.<ref>http://www.astronautix.com/n/nova.html</ref>

Based on the recommendations of the Stafford Synthesis report, [[First Lunar Outpost]] (FLO) would have relied on a massive [[Saturn V|Saturn-derived]] launch vehicle known as the [[Comet HLLV]]. The Comet would have been capable of injecting {{cvt|508800|lb|t|order=flip}} into low earth orbit and {{cvt|195200|lb|t|order=flip}} on a TLI making it one of the most capable vehicles ever designed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/f/firstlunaroutpost.html|title=First Lunar Outpost|publisher=spacedaily.com|access-date=November 13, 2022|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820174234/http://www.astronautix.com/f/firstlunaroutpost.html|url-status=live}}</ref> FLO was cancelled during the design process along with the rest of the [[Space Exploration Initiative]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The U.S. [[Ares V]] for the [[Constellation program]] was intended to reuse many elements of the [[Space Shuttle]] program, both on the ground and flight hardware, to save costs. The Ares V was designed to carry {{cvt|188|t|lb}} and was cancelled in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/a/ares.html|title=Ares|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128170950/http://www.astronautix.com/a/ares.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle]] ("HLV") was an alternate super heavy-lift launch vehicle proposal for the NASA Constellation program, proposed in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle|url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/361842main_15%20-%20Augustine%20Sidemount%20Final.pdf|date=June 17, 2009|publisher=NASA|access-date=November 13, 2022|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113050114/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/361842main_15%20-%20Augustine%20Sidemount%20Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A 1962 design proposal, [[Sea Dragon (rocket)|Sea Dragon]], called for an enormous {{convert|150|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, sea-launched rocket capable of lifting {{cvt|550|t|lb}} to low Earth orbit. Although preliminary engineering of the design was done by [[TRW Inc.|TRW]], the project never moved forward due to the closing of NASA's [[Future Projects Branch]].<ref name="popmech20170403">{{cite news |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25915/sea-dragon-history-curious-droid/ |title=The Enormous Sea-Launched Rocket That Never Flew |work=Popular Mechanics |first=David |last=Grossman |date=3 April 2017 |access-date=17 May 2017 |archive-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130054206/http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a25915/sea-dragon-history-curious-droid/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>“Study of Large Sea-Launch Space Vehicle,” Contract NAS8-2599, Space Technology Laboratories, Inc./Aerojet General Corporation Report #8659-6058-RU-000, Vol. 1 – Design, January 1963</ref>

The [[Rus-M]] was a proposed Russian family of launchers whose development began in 2009. It would have had two super heavy variants: one able to lift 50–60 tons, and another able to lift 130–150 tons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/ppts_lv.html|title=Rus-M launch vehicle|publisher=russianspaceweb.com|access-date=November 13, 2022|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227092914/http://russianspaceweb.com/ppts_lv.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

SpaceX [[Interplanetary Transport System]] was a {{cvt|12|m|adj=on}} diameter launch vehicle concept unveiled in 2016. The payload capability was to be {{cvt|550|t|lb}} in an expendable configuration or {{cvt|300|t|lb}} in a reusable configuration.<ref name=spacex-itspresentation201609>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/mars_presentation.pdf |title=Making Humans a Multiplanetary Species |publisher=[[SpaceX]] |date=27 September 2016 |access-date=29 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928040332/http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/mars_presentation.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> In 2017, the 12 m evolved into a {{cvt|9|m|adj=on}} diameter concept [[Big Falcon Rocket]], which became the [[SpaceX Starship]].<ref name="gw20181119a">{{cite news|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/goodbye-bfr-hello-starship-elon-musk-gives-classic-name-mars-spaceship/|title=Goodbye, BFR … hello, Starship: Elon Musk gives a classic name to his Mars spaceship|last=Boyle|first=Alan|date=19 November 2018|work=[[GeekWire]]|access-date=22 November 2018|author-link=Alan Boyle|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122215524/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/goodbye-bfr-hello-starship-elon-musk-gives-classic-name-mars-spaceship/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Comparison of orbital launch systems]]
* [[List of orbital launch systems]]
* [[Sounding rocket]], suborbital launch vehicle
* [[Small-lift launch vehicle]], capable of lifting up to {{convert|2000|kg|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} to low Earth orbit
* [[Medium-lift launch vehicle]], capable of lifting {{convert|2000|to|20000|kg|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} of payload into low Earth orbit
* [[Heavy-lift launch vehicle]], capable of lifting {{convert|20000|to|50000|kg|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} of payload into low Earth orbit

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Space exploration lists and timelines}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

[[Category:Space launch vehicles]]