The Most Reliable Rocket, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the rocket you think is the most reliable!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:56

In the age of space exploration, the reliability of rockets is more crucial than ever. With countless missions to outerspace, both manned and unmanned, the integrity of these vehicles directly impacts the success and safety of space travel. Identifying which rockets consistently perform well can help future missions choose the best technology. By voicing your opinions and casting your votes on the most dependable rockets, you contribute to a collective wisdom that can shape the future of space exploration. Each vote helps to highlight the technologies that stand the test of rigorous space conditions, ensuring that only the best are recognized and relied upon for critical missions.

What Is the Most Reliable Rocket?

1

62
votes
Official SpaceX Photos · CC0

Falcon 9

SpaceX

This rocket has a proven track record of reliability, with numerous successful launches and landings. It is also the first rocket to be certified to carry humans to space by NASA.
The Falcon 9 is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed and manufactured by SpaceX. It is designed to transport satellites and cargo to various orbits and deploy them into space reliably.

Height: 70 meters

Diameter: 3.7 meters

Mass: 549,054 kg

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 22,800 kg

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 8,300 kg
2

41
votes
NASA/Tom Farrar, Kevin O'Connell · Public domain

Atlas V

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

This rocket has a 100% mission success rate and is considered one of the most reliable rockets in the world. It is frequently used by NASA for its critical missions.
The Atlas V is a reliable and versatile expendable rocket developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is designed to deliver a wide range of payloads into various orbits, including geosynchronous orbit (GEO), low Earth orbit (LEO), and interplanetary destinations.

First Launch: 2002

Height: 68.4 meters (m)

Diameter: 3.8 meters (m)

Mass: 334,500 kilograms (kg)

Payload to LEO: up to 29,500 kg
3

28
votes
U.S. Air Force/Carleton Bailie · Public domain

Delta IV

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

This rocket has a 100% success rate and is known for its reliability and precision. It is often used for military and intelligence missions.
The Delta IV is a highly reliable, expendable launch vehicle designed for medium to heavy payloads. It is part of the Delta rocket family and has proven its reliability in numerous successful launches.

Height: 63.4 meters (208 feet)

Diameter: 5 meters (16.7 feet)

Mass: 733,000 kg (1,616,000 lb)

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): up to 28,370 kg (62,540 lb)

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): up to 13,810 kg (30,440 lb)
4

9
votes
Soyuz

This Russian rocket has a long history of successful launches, with a success rate of over 97%. It is also the only rocket currently capable of launching humans to the International Space Station.
The Soyuz is a family of expendable launch vehicles that has been used since the 1960s. It is one of the most reliable and longest-serving rocket systems in the history of spaceflight. The Soyuz rocket is primarily used for crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and satellite launches.

Height: 46.3 meters

Diameter: 3 meters

Mass: 308,000 kg (at liftoff)

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): up to 7,200 kg

Payload to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO): up to 3,000 kg
5

5
votes
DLR German Aerospace Center · CC BY 2.0

Ariane 5

European Space Agency (ESA)

This European rocket has a success rate of over 98% and is frequently used to launch commercial satellites. It is known for its reliability and cost-effectiveness.
The Ariane 5 is a European heavy-lift space rocket designed for commercial and government missions. It is part of the Ariane rocket family and is currently one of the most advanced rockets in operation.

Height: 55.4 meters (182 ft)

Diameter: 5.4 meters (18 ft)

Mass at liftoff: 777 tonnes (1,713,699 lb)

Payload to low Earth orbit: 21,000 kg (46,297 lb)

Payload to geostationary transfer orbit: 10,500 kg (23,148 lb)
Ariane 5 in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most advanced rocket
6

9
votes
AAxanderr · Public domain

Long March

This Chinese rocket has a success rate of over 95% and is frequently used for both commercial and military missions. It is known for its low cost and reliability.
The Long March is a family of reliable and versatile rockets developed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). It is one of the most well-established and successful rocket series in the world, playing a crucial role in China's space exploration and satellite deployment missions.

Rocket Type: Expendable Launch Vehicle

First Launch: 1970

Success Rate: Over 96%

Payload Capacity: Up to 14,000 kg

Number of Stages: Usually 3, but varies depending on the model
7

12
votes
Proton

This Russian rocket has a success rate of over 90% and is frequently used to launch heavy payloads into orbit. It is known for its reliability and ability to launch multiple payloads at once.
The Proton is a medium-to-heavy-lift expendable rocket used for launching payloads into space. It was developed by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos.

Height: 58.2 meters

Diameter: 7.4 meters

Mass: 705,000 kg

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 22,000 kg

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 6,300 kg
8

4
votes
H-IIA

This Japanese rocket has a success rate of over 95% and is frequently used for both commercial and scientific missions. It is known for its reliability and precision.
The H-IIA is a versatile and highly reliable expendable launch system developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It is primarily used for launching satellites into geostationary orbit and has a successful track record of missions.

Height: 53.0 meters

Diameter: 4.0 meters

Mass: 285,000 kilograms

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): up to 4,000 kilograms

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): up to 6,000 kilograms
9

5
votes
spacex · CC0

Falcon Heavy

SpaceX

This is SpaceX's heavy-lift rocket, and it has a perfect success record so far, launching both commercial and government payloads.
The Falcon Heavy is a next-generation reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle designed and manufactured by SpaceX. It was introduced to the market in 2018 and has since become one of the most advanced rockets in operation.

Height: 70 meters (230 feet)

Diameter: 12.2 meters (39.9 feet)

Mass: 1,420,788 kg (3,125,735 pounds)

Payload to LEO: 63,800 kg (140,660 pounds)

Payload to GTO: 26,700 kg (58,860 pounds)
Falcon Heavy in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most advanced rocket
10

2
votes
PSLV

This Indian rocket has a success rate of over 95% and is frequently used for both commercial and scientific missions. It is known for its low cost and reliability.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is primarily used to deploy satellites into polar orbits and has gained a reputation as one of the most reliable rockets in the world.

Height: 44 meters

Diameter: 2.8 meters

Mass at liftoff: 320,000 kilograms

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 1,750 kilograms

Payload to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO): 1,300 kilograms

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Ranking factors for reliable rocket

Success Rate

The success rate is the number of successful launches divided by the total number of launches. A higher success rate indicates a more reliable rocket.
Launch Payload

The amount of weight a rocket can carry into space is also an important factor. A rocket that can carry a larger payload is generally considered more reliable.
Durability

The durability of a rocket plays an important role in its reliability. A rocket that can withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures and high-pressure changes, is more reliable.
Cost

The cost of the rocket is also an important factor. Rockets that are cost-effective and efficient are generally considered more reliable.
Availability

A rocket that is readily available is considered more reliable. If there are significant delays in obtaining a rocket, the reliability of the rocket is limited.
Safety Record

The safety record of the rocket should also be taken into account. Rockets that have a good safety record are generally considered more reliable.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most reliable rocket. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or rocket is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1872 views
176 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each rocket once every 24 hours. The rank of each rocket is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most reliable rocket

When it comes to space exploration, rockets are the backbone of any mission. They transport satellites, probes, and astronauts into space, and are crucial for any successful launch. But with so many different types of rockets out there, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most reliable. To answer this question, scientists and engineers consider a variety of factors, such as the rocket's history of success, its design, and its safety features. Some of the most reliable rockets include the Falcon 9 from SpaceX, the Delta IV from United Launch Alliance, and the Ariane 5 from the European Space Agency. Each of these rockets has a proven track record of successful launches, and has been designed with safety and reliability in mind. But as technology advances and new rockets are developed, the title of "most reliable" is always up for debate. No matter which rocket is deemed the most reliable, one thing is certain: space exploration would not be possible without these incredible machines.