Medium-lift launch vehicle

Clockwise from top-left: Falcon 9, Soyuz-2, PSLV, Nuri, H-IIA, Long March 2D
Class overview
NameMedium-lift launch vehicle
OperatorsVarious space organizations
Preceded bySmall-lift launch vehicle
Succeeded byHeavy-lift launch vehicle
Built1958–
Building8
Active25
Retired41
General characteristics
PropulsionVarious liquid-fueled engines and solid motors
Capacity
  • 2–20 metric tons (NASA)
  • 5–20 metric tons (Russia)

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 small-lift launch vehicles and heavy-lift launch vehicles.

  1. ^ Osipov, Yuri (2004–2017). Great Russian Encyclopedia. Moscow: Great Russian Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ NASA Space Technology Roadmaps - Launch Propulsion Systems, p.11: "Small: 0-2t payloads, Medium: 2-20t payloads, Heavy: 20-50t payloads, Super Heavy: >50t payloads"

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