An expendable launch system or expendable launch vehicle, ELV, is a single-use launch vehicle usually used to launch a payload into space. This is in opposition to a reusable launch system where a single launch vehicle is launched more than once. A reusable launch system (or RLV: reusable launch vehicle) is a launch vehicle which is capable of launching into space more than once. ...

Expendable launch systems typically consist of stages which are discarded one by one, in order not to have to carry and accelerate parts that are no longer needed, as opposed to the as-yet theoretical single stage to orbit system. However, there is no reason in principle why an expendable single stage to orbit system would be impossible; it is just generally more efficient to use staging when the system is not meant to be recovered intact. The second stage of a Minuteman III rocket A multistage (or multi-stage) rocket is, like any rocket, propelled by the recoil pressure of the burning gases it emits as it burns fuel. ... A single-stage to orbit (or SSTO) launcher describes an as-yet theoretical class of spacecraft designed to place a load into orbit as a self-contained vehicle without the use of multiple stages. ...

Most orbital expendable launchers are derivatives of 1950s-era ballistic missiles. Since the entire vehicle is discarded after launch, this may seem like an expensive launch method, but in practice they are cheaper than the one currently-existing partly reusable launch vehicle (the space shuttle -- see the shuttle article for a discussion of its economics). Most satellites are launched using expendable launchers; they are perceived as having a low risk of mission failure, a short time to launch and a relatively low cost. The Magellan probe was the first planetary spacecraft launched by a space shuttle. An orbital spaceflight (or orbital flight) in the general sense is a spaceflight where the trajectory of a spacecraft reaches the height of, and through having an appropriate velocity enters into, orbit around an astronomical body. ... The 1950s was the decade spanning the years 1950 to 1959. ... Polish missile wz. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle vehicle. ... MILSTAR:A communication satellite A satellite is any object that orbits another object (which is known as its primary). ... Magellan spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center The Magellan spacecraft carried out a mission from 1989-1994, orbiting Venus from 1990-1994. ...

Many see it as unfortunate that most "modern" orbital expendables are derived from ballistic missiles, as these missiles were built to Cold War specs and with Cold War budgets, and argue that this makes for horrendously expensive launch vehicles. A prime example of this is the Titan IV, probably the costliest per-unit launch vehicle in history (perhaps following the Space Shuttle). For other uses, please see Cold War (disambiguation). ... The Titan IV family (including the IVA and IVB) of space boosters are used by the US Air Force. ...

On the other hand, reusable launchers have to be built more robustly and thus carry extra dry weight to orbit, and require recovery systems, and thus everything else being equal (to a similarly constructed expendable), would have a very much smaller payload. Reusable launchers would thus not necessarily be enormously cheaper.

Expendable orbital launchers

Currently in use

• Ariane V
• Atlas V
• Cosmos-3M
• CZ-2C/2
• CZ-2C/SD
• CZ-2C/SM
• CZ-2C/3
• CZ-2D/2
• CZ-2F
• CZ-3A
• CZ-3B
• CZ-4B
• Delta 2
• Delta 4
• Dnipro
• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
• H-2A rocket
• Minotaur rocket
• Pegasus rocket
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
• Proton rocket
• Rockot
• Sea Launch
• Soyuz launch vehicle
• Tsyklon
• Zenit

Ariane 5 lifts off with the Rosetta probe on 2 March 2004. ... Launch of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, 7:43:00 a. ... The Cosmos-3M is a Russian space launch vehicle. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... A Delta II rocket launches from Cape Canaveral carrying a GPS satellite The Boeing IDS Delta II family of launch vehicles has been in service since 1989 and has successfully launched 115 projects (through August, 2004) including the last six NASA missions to Mars: Mars Global Surveyor in 1996 Mars... It has been suggested that some sections of this article be split into a new article entitled Delta IV launches. ... The Dnepr space launch vehicle (Ukrainian: ; Russian: , named after the Dnieper River), is a converted ICBM used for launching artificial satellites into orbit, operated by launch service provider ISC Kosmotras (established in 1997). ... The GSLV or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle was developed by India (Indian Space Research Organization) to launch satellites into geostationary orbit. ... The H-IIA is a family of liquid-fuelled rockets providing an expendable launch system for the purpose of launching satellites into geostationary orbit. ... Minotaur-1 rocket launching Mightysat-2. ... Pegasus rocket on the ground Pegasus rocket attached to bottom of carrier aircraft The Pegasus rocket is a winged space booster developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital). ... PSLV or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ... The Proton (Прото́н) rocket (formal designation: UR-500, also known as D-1) is a Russian unmanned space vehicle design first launched in 1965 and still in use as of 2005. ... Rockot The Rockot is a Russian space launch vehicle. ... Sea Launch command ship Sea Launch Commander Sea Launch launch platform Ocean Odyssey Sea Launch is a spacecraft launch service, which uses mobile sea platform for equatorial launches of commercial payloads on top of specialized Zenit-3SL rockets. ... Soyuz rocket on launch pad. ... Tsyklon-3 rocket launching Meteor-3 weather observation satellite (Plesetsk, Aug. ... The Zenit rocket (Ukrainian: Зеніт, Russian: Зени́т; meaning Zenith) is a space launch vehicle manufactured by the Yuzhnoe Design Bureau of Ukraine. ...

Planned

• Angara rocket
• CZ-1D
• CZ-3C
• CZ-5
• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MK-III
• H-IIB
• H-IIC
• KT-1
• KT-2
• KT-2A
• Soyuz/ST
• Vega

The Angara rocket, currently in development, is designed to launch heavy payloads into orbit, reducing Russias dependency on Kazakhstan for heavy lift (from whom Russia leases the Baikonur Cosmodrome), as well as eliminate the need to purchase Zenit rockets from Ukraine. ... Long March 1 rocket family (长征一号系列火箭) is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Designed and developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), Long March 5 (LM-5, CZ-5, or Chang Zheng 5) is Chinas next generation space launch vehicle family, which would include a range of classes of launch vehicles for different missions. ... The H-IIB is a family of liquid-fuelled rockets providing an expendable launch system for the main purpose of launching the HTV towards the International Space Station. ... The Kaitouzhe-1 or (KT-1) (Explorer-1 in English) is a Chinese commercial launch vehicle. ... Vega (ESA) Vega is a planned expendable launch system developed jointly by the Italian Space Agency and the European Space Agency since 1998, with the first launch planned for 2006. ...

Historical

• Ariane 1
• Ariane 2 and Ariane 3
• Ariane 4
• Atlas (rocket)
• Atlas II
• Black Arrow
• CZ-1
• CZ-2
• CZ-2C
• CZ-2D
• CZ-2E
• CZ-3
• CZ-4A
• Delta III
• Diamant
• Energiya
• Europa rocket
• FB-1
• Molniya
• M-V
• N1 rocket
• R-7 rocket
• Redstone rocket, including Mercury-Redstone and Jupiter-C rockets
• Saturn I
• Saturn IB
• Saturn V
• Thor
• Titan I (see Titan rocket)
• Titan II
• Titan III
• Titan IV
• V-2
• Vanguard rocket
• Voskhod rocket
• Vostok rocket

Ariane I is the first version of the Ariane launcher family. ... Ariane 2 and Ariane 3 were expendable launch systems in the Ariane family designed by the European Space Agency. ... Ariane 42P rocket with the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite (Kourou, August 10, 1992) (NASA) Ariane 4 was an expendable launch system, designed by the European Space Agency and manufactured and marketed by its subsidiary Arianespace. ... Mercury Atlas 9 rocket and capsule on pad The Atlas is a venerable line of space launch vehicles built by Lockheed Martin. ... Mission Atlas II is a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which evolved from the successful Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. ... Black Arrow was a British satellite launch vehicle based on the Black Knight rocket. ... Long March 1 rocket family (长征一号系列火箭) is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by Peoples Republic of China. ... Through the 90s, satellite masses were growing steadily. ... The Diamant rocket (diamant is French for diamond) was the first exclusively French expendable launch system. ... Energia on the launch pad Energia on the launch pad Energia on the launch pad Energia lifting off with the UKSS military payload The Energia (or Energiya, Энергия in Russian) rocket was a Soviet craft that was designed at TsAGI to serve as a... The Europa rocket was an early expendable launch system of the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO), which was the precursor to the European Space Agency and its Ariane family of launchers. ... Molniya 8K78 is a modification of the well-known R-7 Semyorka rocket and has four stages. ... M-V rocket with the ASTRO-E satellite (Febr. ... Two N1 Moon rockets appear on the pads at Baikonur Cosmodrome in early July 1969. ... R-7 with Sputnik 2 The R-7 (Semyorka) was the worlds first ICBM and was deployed by the Soviet Union. ... First launched in 1953, the American Redstone rocket was a direct descendant of the German V-2. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Project Mercury. ... The Jupiter-C Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) was designed by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) The vehicle consists of a modified Redstone ballistic missile with three solid-propellant upper stages. ... The Saturn I was Americas first large clustered rocket. ... The Saturn IB was an uprated version of the Saturn I, which was the first manned launch vehicle that was not directly derived from an ICBM (though its tanks were derived from the Jupiter and Redstone tanks, and its first stage engines were Navaho derived). ... This article is about the rocket. ... Thor-Ablestar Thor was the United Statess first operational ballistic missile. ... The Titan I was the United States first true multistage ICBM. It was the first in a series of Titan rockets, but was unique among them in that it used LOX and RP-1 as its fuels, while the later versions all used storable fuels instead. ... Titan is a family of U.S. expendable rockets. ... Titan II launch vehicle launching Gemini 11 (Sept. ... The Titan IIIC is a space booster used by the United States Air Force. ... The Titan IV family (including the IVA and IVB) of space boosters are used by the US Air Force. ... German test launch. ... // Overview In 1955, the USA announced plans to put a scientific satellite in orbit for the International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957/58. ... The Voskhod rocket (Russian: Восход, translated as Sunrise) was a derivative of the Soviet R-7 ICBM designed for the human spaceflight programme but later used for launching Zenit reconnaissance satellites. ... The Vostok rocket (Russian Восток, translated as East) was a derivative of the Soviet R-7 ICBM designed for the human spaceflight programme but later used for other satellite launches. ...

Development

Main article: Private spaceflight

European Sponsorship This space for sale During the early years of spaceflight only nation states had the resources to develop and fly spacecraft. ...

On March 26, 1980, the European Space Agency created Arianespace, the world's first commercial space transportation company. Arianespace produces, operates and markets the Ariane launcher family. By 1995 Arianespace lofted its 100th satellite and by 1997 the Ariane rocket had its 100th launch.[1] Arianespace's 23 shareholders represent scientific, technical, financial and political entities from 10 different European countries.[2] March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... The European Space Agency (ESA), established in 1975, is an inter-governmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 17 member states. ... Founded in 1980, Arianespace SA undertakes the production, operation and marketing of the Ariane 4 and Ariane 5 rocket launchers as part of the Ariane programme. ... The Ariane Family The name Ariane refers to a series of a civilian European expendable launch vehicles for space launch use. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... MILSTAR:A communication satellite A satellite is any object that orbits another object (which is known as its primary). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or company (including a corporation), that legally owns one or more shares of stock in a joint stock company. ... This article is about the continent. ...

American Deregulation

From the beginning of the Shuttle program until the Challenger disaster in 1986, it was the policy of the United States that NASA be the public-sector povider of US Commercial Orbital Transportation Serviceslaunch capacity to the world market.[3] Initially NASA subsidized satellite launches with the intention of eventually pricing Shuttle service for the commercial market at long-run marginal cost. Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, after Columbia. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In economics and finance, marginal cost is the change in total cost that arises when the quantity produced (or purchased) changes by one unit. ...

On October 30, 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Commercial Space Launch Act [4]. This enabled an American industry of private operators of expendable launch systems. Prior to the signing of this law, all commercial satellite launches in the United States were limited to NASA's Space Shuttle. October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 62 days remaining. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989), and the 33rd Governor of the state of California (1967–1975). ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle program. ...

On November 5, 1990, United States President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Launch Services Purchase Act [5]. The Act, in a complete reversal of the earlier Space Shuttle monopoly, ordered NASA to purchase launch services for its primary payloads from commercial providers whenever such services are required in the course of its activities. November 5 is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 56 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States of America serving from 1989 to 1993. ...

Russian Privitization

The Russian government sold part of its stake in RSC Energia to private investors in 1994. Energia together with Khrunichev constituted most of the Russian manned space program. In 1997, the Russian government sold off enough of their share to lose the majority position. S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia (also known as RKK Energiya) is a Russian manufacturer of spacecraft and space station components. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Khrunichev State Space Scientific Production Center is a Moscow-based producer of space-launch systems. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

American Subsidization

In 1996 the United States government selected Lockheed Martin and Boeing to each develop Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV) to compete for launch contracts and provide assured access to space. The government's acquisition strategy relied on the strong commercial viability of both vehicles to lower unit costs. Since this anticipated market demand did not materialize for the, Boeing pulled the Delta IV EELV from commercial service in 2003. The Lockheed Martin Atlas V EELV has had five commercial launches through the end of 2005. 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... The U.S. Government–sponsored Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program was intended to develop affordable alternatives to legacy medium-to-heavy-lift launch vehicles (e. ... Delta EELV family of launch vehicles (US Govt) The Delta IV family of rockets are EELVs (evolved expendable launch vehicles) built by Boeing IDS. They come in five versions: medium, medium+ (4,2), medium+ (5,2), medium+ (5,4), and heavy. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mercury Atlas 9 rocket and capsule on pad The Atlas is a venerable line of space launch vehicles built by Lockheed Martin. ... Launch of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, 7:43:00 a. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Launch Alliances

Since 1995 Khrunichev's Proton rocket is marketed through International Launch Services while the Soyuz rocket is marketed via Starsem. Energia builds the Soyuz rocket and owns part of the Sea Launch project which flies the Ukrainian Zenit rocket. 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Proton (Прото́н) rocket (formal designation: UR-500, also known as D-1) is a Russian unmanned space vehicle design first launched in 1965 and still in use as of 2005. ... International Launch Services (or ILS)is a partnership between American defense contractor Lockheed Martin, and the Russian firm, Khrunichev, and RSC Energia for the purpose of co-marketing their respective rocket launch services. ... Soyuz rocket on launch pad. ... Starsem is a European-Russian company that was created in 1996 to commercialise the Soyuz launcher. ... Sea Launch command ship Sea Launch Commander Sea Launch launch platform Ocean Odyssey Sea Launch is a spacecraft launch service, which uses mobile sea platform for equatorial launches of commercial payloads on top of specialized Zenit-3SL rockets. ... The Zenit rocket (Ukrainian: Зеніт, Russian: Зени́т; meaning Zenith) is a space launch vehicle manufactured by the Yuzhnoe Design Bureau of Ukraine. ...

In 2003 Arianespace joined with Boeing Launch Services and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to create the Launch Services Alliance. In 2005, continued weak commercial demand for EELV launches drove Lockheed Martin and Boeing to propose a joint venture called the United Launch Alliance to monopolize the United States government launch market[6]. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd (MHI) (三菱重工業, Mitsubishi Jūkōgyō) TYO: 7011 is a Japanese company. ... In July 2003, Arianespace joined with Boeing Launch Services and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to create the Launch Services Alliance. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... On May 2, 2005 Boeing and Lockheed Martin announced their intention to form the United Launch Alliance by merging the operations of both of their government space launch services. ...

See also

list of rockets, space transport, spacecraft propulsion and history of commercial space transportation To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Currently, the most common technology for space transport is rocket propulsion, which expels matter to provide a net forward thrust. ... A remote camera captures a close-up view of a Space Shuttle Main Engine during a test firing at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi Spacecraft propulsion is used to change the velocity of spacecraft and artificial satellites, or in short, to provide delta-v. ... This space for sale During the early years of spaceflight only nation states had the resources to develop and fly spacecraft. ...