Rocket Launch - Launch Vehicles

Launch Vehicles

If a rocket is launched to deliver a payload from a planetary surface into space it is called a launch vehicle.

There are several broad categories that launch vehicles fall under, including:

  • Expendable launch system
  • Reusable launch system
  • Single stage to orbit
  • Two stage to orbit
  • Three stage to orbit

For the launch vehicles currently in use for human spaceflight, see that article.

There were over 70 orbital launches in 2010.

Read more about this topic:  Rocket Launch

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