Sunday, July 13, 2008

Heavy Vehicle

A Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle, or HLLV, is distinguished from Medium Lift Launch Vehicles (MLLV) by the mass that they can lift into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). While there is currently no specifically stated mass, it is generally agreed that rockets like the Titan IV, Atlas V, Ariane 5, Proton, and Delta IV are all considered "Heavy Lift" launch vehicles, as they're capable of lifting more than 30,000 lb (14,000 kg) to LEO, and more than 10,000 lb (5,000 kg) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

No comments: