Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/expendable-space-launch-systems

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Expendable launch system

Launch system that uses a single use launch vehicle

Launch system that uses a single use launch vehicle

An expendable launch system (or expendable launch vehicle/ELV) is a launch vehicle that can be launched only once, after which its components are destroyed during reentry or impact with Earth, or discarded in space. ELVs typically consist of several rocket stages that are discarded sequentially as their fuel is exhausted and the vehicle gains altitude and speed. As of 2024, fewer and fewer satellites and human spacecraft are launched on ELVs in favor of reusable launch vehicles. However, there are many instances where a ELV may still have a compelling use case over a reusable vehicle. ELVs are simpler in design than reusable launch systems and therefore may have a lower production cost. Furthermore, an ELV can use its entire fuel supply to accelerate its payload, offering greater payloads. ELVs are a proven technology in widespread use for many decades.

Current operators

Arianespace

China

ISRO

Main article: Indian Space Research Organisation#Launch vehicles

During the 1960s and 1970s, India initiated its own launch vehicle program in alignment with its geopolitical and economic considerations. In the 1960s–1970s, the country India started with a sounding rocket in the 1960s and 1970s and advanced its research to deliver the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 and the more advanced Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), complete with operational supporting infrastructure by the 1990s.

JAXA

Roscosmos

South Korea

United States

Main article: Space Launch System, National Security Space Launch

Several governmental agencies of the United States purchase ELV launches. NASA is a major customer with the Commercial Resupply Services and Commercial Crew Development programs, also launching scientific spacecraft. The vast majority of launch vehicles for its missions, from the Redstone missile to the Delta, Atlas, Titan and Saturn rocket families, have been expendable. As its flagship crewed exploration replacement for the partially reusable Space Shuttle, NASA's newest ELV, the Space Launch System flew successfully in November 2022 after delays of more than six years. It is planned to serve in a major role on crewed exploration programs going forward.

The United States Air Force is also an ELV customer, having designed the Titan, Atlas, and Delta families. The Atlas V from the 1994 Evolved ELV (EELV) program remains in active service, operated by United Launch Alliance. The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) competition has selected two EELV successors, the expendable Vulcan Centaur and partially reusable Falcon 9, to provide assured access to space.

Iranian Space Agency

Main article: Safir (rocket), Simorgh (rocket)

Safir

Simorgh

Qoqnoos

Israel Space Agency

References

References

  1. Resource, K. D. C.. "The Rise of Reusable Rockets: Transforming the Economics of Space Travel".
  2. "Expendable Launch Vehicles".
  3. (2007). "Evolution of Indian launch vehicle technologies". [[Indian Academy of Sciences]].
  4. Gebhardt, Chris. (2022-11-16). "SLS makes successful debut flight, sending Artemis I to the Moon".
  5. (8 November 2022). "NASA Prepares Rocket, Spacecraft Ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole, Re-targets Launch". [[NASA]].
  6. "Boeing, Lockheed Martin to Form Launch Services Joint Venture {{!}} SpaceRef - Your Space Reference".
  7. Erwin, Sandra. (7 August 2020). "Pentagon picks SpaceX and ULA to remain its primary launch providers". [[SpaceNews]].
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

expendable-space-launch-systems
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Expendable launch system — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report