Survey of Commercially Available Expendable Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles

摘要

This thesis examines the launch vehicle options available to place a heavypayload, 10 tons, into a low-earth-orbit. The study provides the current status of the space launch vehicle market for heavy lift launchers. The following launchers are looked at in detail: Titan 3, Proton, Energia, Long March 3, Ariane 5, and the H-2. Vehicle design history and launch record are examined. Each launcher is then examined and broken down by stages, including the payload sections. A typical launch sequence is included for each vehicle. Finally, the cost of the various launchers is examined. Conclusions regarding the future need of heavy lift launch vehicles and a look at the current political environment is made.