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Since at least in the early 20th century, single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicles have existed in science fiction. In the 1970s, the first reusable launch vehicle, the Space Shuttle, was developed. However, in the 1990s, due to the program's failure to meet expectations, reusable launch vehicle concepts were reduced to prototype testing.
The goal of the Starship launch system is to be a fully reusable orbital launch and reentry vehicle. [170] The Starship launch system consists of two stages: a Super Heavy booster and a Starship spacecraft; [ 171 ] both have a body made from SAE 304L stainless steel [ 172 ] and are designed to hold liquid oxygen and liquid methane .
In contrast, reusable launch vehicles are designed to be recovered intact and launched again. The Falcon 9 is an example of a reusable launch vehicle. [12] As of 2023, all reusable launch vehicles that were ever operational have been partially reusable, meaning some components are recovered and others are not.
Development flights for SpaceX Starship test vehicles began in 2019. Starship is intended to be both a fully reusable spacecraft and launch vehicle. [c] Starship's first integrated launch with its booster was in 2023, and it reached space the same year.
The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is a three-stage partially reusable Heavy-lift launch vehicle, currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This vehicle is designed to replace currently operational systems like PSLV, GSLV and LVM3. The project was previously referred to as Unified Launch Vehicle (ULV ...
Starship is the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed. ... Starship is designed to be fully and rapidly reusable, saving SpaceX significantly on cost and resources, which would aid the ...
The Long March 9 will be a two-stage, reusable launch vehicle that can loft 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit and 50 metric tons to a lunar transfer orbit. The rocket could be used to build a ...
The Boeing X-37, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a reusable robotic spacecraft. It is boosted into space by a launch vehicle , then re-enters Earth's atmosphere and lands as a spaceplane .