Archive-name: space/launchers
Last-modified: $Date: 94/07/05 17:51:25 $

    Compilation copyright (c) 1994 by Jonathan P. Leech. This document may
    be redistributed in its complete and unmodified form. Other use requires
    written permission of the author.

ORBITAL AND PLANETARY LAUNCH SERVICES

Most of the following data comes from _International Reference Guide
to Space Launch Systems_  by Steven J. Isakowitz, 1991 edition.  The
launcher FAQ was compiled and is maintained by Josh Hopkins.  His address
is jbh55289@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu.  Special thanks go to Wales Larrison
(wales.larrison@ofa123.fidonet.org) for providing some cost data and the
summaries of other programs included at the end.

Notes: *   Unless otherwise specified, LEO and polar payloads
	   are for a 100 nm orbit.
       *   Reliablity data generally includes launches through Dec
	   1990. When applicable, reliability data for a family of
	   vehicles includes launches of types no longer
	   operational.  Reliability data is subject to interpretation
	   and is for comparison purposes only.
       *   Only operational vehicle families are included.
	   Vehicle types which had not yet flown at the time
	   my data was published (or when I wrote this) are
	   marked with an asterisk.
       *   Data on price is for comparison purposes only.
	   Costs for government vehicles are somewhat meaningless
	   and commercial costs vary from bid to bid.


Vehicle        |     Payload  kg  (lbs)   |  Reliability  | Price
(nation)       |  LEO	   Polar    GTO   |		  |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ariane					     35/40  87.5%
(ESA)
  AR40		4,900	   3,900    1,900    1/1	      $65m
	      (10,800)	  (8,580)  (4,190)
  AR42P		6,100	   4,800    2,600    1/1	      $67m
	      (13,400)	 (10,600)  (5,730)
  AR44P		6,900	   5,500    3,000    0/0 ?	      $70m
	      (15,200)	 (12,100)  (6,610)
  AR42L		7,400	   5,900    3,200    0/0 ?	      $90m
	      (16,300)	 (13,000)  (7,050)
  AR44LP	8,300	   6,600    3,700    6/6	      $95m
	      (18,300)	 (14,500)  (8,160)
  AR44L		9,600	   7,700    4,200    3/4	      $115m
	      (21,100)	 (16,900)  (9,260)

* AR5	       18,000	   ???	    6,920    0/0	      $105m
	      (39,600)		  (15,224)
	       [300nm]


Atlas					    213/245 86.9%
(USA)
  Atlas E	 --	     820       --    15/17	      $45m
			  (1,800)

  Atlas I	5,580	   4,670    2,250    1/1	      $70m
	      (12,300)	 (10,300)  (4,950)

  Atlas II	6,395	   5,400    2,680    0/0	      $75m
	      (14,100)	 (11,900)  (5,900)

  Atlas IIA	6,760	   5,715    2,810    0/0	      $85m
	      (14,900)	 (12,600) (6,200)

  Atlas IIAS	8,390	   6,805    3,490    0/0	      $115m
	      (18,500)	(15,000)  (7,700)


Delta					     189/201 94.0%
(USA)
  Delta 6925	3,900	   2,950    1,450   14/14	      $45m
	       (8,780)	 (6,490)  (3,190)

  Delta 7925	5,045	   3,830    1,820   1/1		      $50m
	      (11,100)	 (8,420)  (4,000)


Energia					    2/2  100%
(Russia)
  Energia      88,000	  80,000     ???     2/2	      $110m
	     (194,000)	(176,000)


H series				    22/22 100%
(Japan)
  H-2	       10,500	 6,600	   4,000    0/0		      $160m
	      (23,000) (14,500)   (8,800)


Kosmos					   371/377 98.4%
(Russia)
  Kosmos      400 km circular orbit			      $???
	      51 degrees - 1400 kg
	      83 degrees - 1105 kg


Lockheed Launch Vehicle			     0/0
(U.S)
* LLV-1		1,100	   ???	    ???			      $15m ?
	       (2,400)
* LLV-2		1,800	   ???	    ???
	       (4,000)
* LLV-3		3,600	   ???	    ???
	       (8,000)


Long March				    23/25 92.0%
(China)
* CZ-1D		  720	   ???	     200     0/0	      $10m
	       (1,590)		    (440)

  CZ-2C		3,200	 1,750	   1,000     12/12	     $20m
	       (7,040)	(3,860)   (2,200)

  CZ-2E		9,200	   ???	   3,370     1/1	     $40m
	      (20,300)		  (7,430)

* CZ-2E/HO     13,600	   ???	   4,500     0/0	     $60m
	      (29,900)		  (9,900)

  CZ-3		???	   ???	   1,400     6/7	     $33m
				  (3,100)

* CZ-3A		???	   ???	   2,500     0/0	     $???m
				  (5,500)

  CZ-4		4,000	   ???	   1,100     2/2	     $???m
	       (8,800)		  (2,430)


Pegasus/Taurus				     4/4   100%
(USA)
  Pegasus	  455	   365	     125     4/4	     $13.5m
	       (1,000)	  (800)     (275)

  Taurus	1,450	 1,180	     375     0/0	     $15m
	       (3,200)	(2,600)     (830)


Proton					    164/187 87.7%
(Russia)
  Proton       20,000	   ???	   5,500    164/187	     $35-70m
	      (44,100)		 (12,200)


SCOUT					    99/113 87.6%
(USA)
  SCOUT G-1	  270	    210      54      13/13	      $12m
		 (600)	   (460)    (120)

* Enhanced SCOUT  525	    372      110      0/0	      $15m
	       (1,160)	   (820)    (240)


Shavit					     2/2   100%
(Israel)
  Shavit	 ???	    160     ???      2/2	      $22m
			   (350)

Space Shuttle				     37/38  97.4%
(USA)
  Shuttle/SRB  23,500	   ???	   5,900     37/38	 [I'm not going
	      (51,800)		 (13,000)		 to touch the
							 price issue]


SLV					     2/6   33.3%
(India)		(400km)  (900km polar)
  ASLV		  150	    ???      ???     0/2	   $???m
		 (330)

* PSLV		3,000	  1,000      450     0/0	   $???m
	       (6,600)	 (2,200)    (990)

* GSLV		8,000	   ???	   2,500     0/0	   $???m
	      (17,600)		  (5,500)


Titan					    160/172 93.0%
(USA)
  Titan II	 ???	  1,905     ???      2/2	    $43m
			 (4,200)

  Titan III    14,515	  ???	   5,000     2/3	    $158m
	      (32,000)		 (11,000)		    [1988$]

  Titan IV/SRM 17,700	 14,100    6,350     3/3	    $315m-$360m
	      (39,000)	(31,100) (14,000)

 Titan IV/SRMU 21,640	 18,600    8,620     0/0	    $???m
	      (47,700)	(41,000) (19,000)


Vostok					    1358/1401 96.9%
(Russia)		 [650km]
  Vostok	4,730	  1,840     ???      ?/149	    $14m
	      (10,400)	 (4,060)

  Soyuz		7,000	   ???	    ???      ?/944	    $15m
	      (15,400)

  Molniya	1500kg (3300 lbs) in	     ?/258	    $???M
		Highly eliptical orbit


Zenit					     12/13  92.3%
(Russia)
  Zenit        13,740	 11,380    4,300     12/13	    $65m
	      (30,300)	(25,090)  (9,480)


The following information on other proposed launch systems is
provided by Wales Larrison.  The asterisks mark vehicles which seem most
likely to make it off the drawing board.

   Aerospatiale air launched (France) --study of two-stage launch
	       vehicle launched from Airbus-type aircraft. Reported
	       capable of 1000 Kg to LEO low-Earth orbit. Used M4
	       and M5 solid rocket boosters, and studied for
	       European military uses.	No data since early 1992.
	       Probably shelved.

   Argentina -- small orbital launcher, derivative of Argentinian
	       sounding rocket program.  Some interesting rumors
	       that suitable large solids were poured as part of
	       secret military ICBM effort under military Junta rule
	       several years ago, but program records destroyed when
	       civilian government took over.

   Sweden (Bofors/Saab) -- small all solid sounding rocket to use
	       Kiruna launch range in northern Sweden.	Probably
	       subsumed into IMI effort (Saab is teamed on Orbex).
	       No data for several years.

   TRW --  Proposed development of launch vehicle using pressure-fed
	       "dumb" boosters.  Studied extensively at TRW in late
	       1960's and revived in late 1980's.  Rumors of
	       company-funded propulsion tests.  Rumors this is
	       being proposed as joint program with GDC or MDC for
	       upgrade in MLV-3 proposal effort.  -- Lots of rumors
	       but no solid data that this is real program.

*  OrbEx - Small all solid vehicle. "ORBital EXpress".	 Firm
	       contract for BMDO MSTI payload launch.  Options for
	       another 9 launches.  First launch planned 1994.	Cost
	       per launch estimated at $ 10-15 M.  First launch for
	       BMDO, MSTI-4 payload, priced at $14.7 M, contract
	       signed July 1992. Owned by International Microspace
	       Inc. -- partnered with Conatec, Saab, and Bristol
	       Aerospace.

   PacAstro - Little data.  Estimate $5-10 M per launch.  All
	       solid, very small launcher.  PacAstro now has three contracts
	       with KITcom of Australia, worth about $10 million.  The PA-2
	       is advertised as carrying 750 lbs to orbit for $6 million
	       dollars.

*  Russian ICBM derivatives -- Several proposed, usually SS-18 or
	       SS-25 derivatives.  Would used converted strategic
	       ICBMs to launch small payloads.	Bid on several
	       international smallsat launchers. Political
	       concerns due to use for MCTR and number of launches
	       tightly regulated by START treaties and verification
	       activities.  Prices discussed are absolute rock-
	       bottom.
	       [There is also converted SLBM called the "Surf" which
	       seems likely to make it off the drawing boards]

   Space Clipper (NPO Yuznoye - Ukraine) - Proposed derivative of
	       SS-18 utilizing air-launched ICBM as first stage of
	       orbital launcher for small sats.  Used AN-124
	       aircraft as carrier. Extensively publicized as part
	       of IAF.	500 Kg into LEO. No customers, no contracts.

   SEALAR (Sea Eagle) - Mobile SEA LAunched Rocket.  Supported by
	       Navy Research lab funding.   Estimated cost $ 10
	       M/launch.  Projected first launch data of 1996
	       (dependent upon NRL funding) Bob Truax company.
	       Suborbital test planned.

*  Sonda IV (Brazil)- Small orbital launcher derivative of existing
	       Brazilian Sonda sounding rocket.  Rumored being
	       readied for 1993 launch.  Cost unknown. Obvious
	       political issue from MTCR, if used as a launch
	       vehicle for US payloads.

   Zefiro (Italy) -  Small launcher derivative of Scout vehicle,
	       utilizing new solid booster.  From Gilarini in Italy.
	       Cost unknown.  Proposed to be ready for qual flights
	       in late 1995.

*  J-1 (Japan) - Small all-solid launcher from NASDA H-2 solid
	       boosters combined with M-3S II solids from ISAS
	       launcher program. Paper by Tateu Hosomura of Nissan
	       Motor Co., Japan's principal solid- booster
	       manufacturer, at IAF claimed first flight in mid-
	       1995. Capable of 900 kilograms in LEO, with growth to
	       2000 Kg.  Believed funded in 1993 NASDA/ISAS budget.

   Aussroc (Australia) - Eventual derivative of small indigenous
	       sounding rocket currently being test fired.  Last
	       sounding rocket test failed.  Probably 5-10 years
	       away for orbital launch attempt if not fully funded
	       by national government (currently shared industry/
	       university/ government).  Would use old Woomera
	       launch range.

   Bristol (Canada) - Proposed small launcher, based upon Black
	       Brant series of sounding rockets.  Proposed
	       development program to be shared with Canadian Space
	       Agency.	500 lb to LEO class launcher.  Requires
	       development of new solid booster by Bristol.

   Capricornia (Spain) - small 3 stage booster.  Reported to be
	       capable of 100 Kg in LEO.  Originated by INTA in
	       Spain, under $ 30M of developmental funding.  Looking
	       for international partners and further financing.
	       Potential launch in 1995/1996.

*  COMET/Conestoga -- small all solid vehicle being developed to
	       launch the COMET orbital launch/return payload
	       system.	First launch planned 1993 from Wallops
	       Island.	Estimated launch cost $10-25 M (depending on
	       type).
	       [As of 7-93 COMET was on indefinate hold due to
	       cost overruns. -JBH]
