The Most Successful Rocket, Ranked

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

Updated on May 1, 2024 06:58

In the world of space exploration, rockets are the linchpins that convey satellites, supplies, and science into orbit and beyond. Knowing which rockets consistently perform the best can influence decisions by aspiring engineers, scientists, and even policymakers. By ranking these marvels of engineering, not only do we highlight historical achievements but also inform future missions. This interactive list allows space enthusiasts and the curious alike to cast their votes, helping to determine which rocket truly stands out in the field. Your participation helps paint a clearer picture of success in rocketry, revealing patterns and trends that are crucial for those involved in the realm of aerospace innovation. Join in, share your opinion, and see real-time changes in rankings powered by fellow aficionados.

What Is the Most Successful Rocket?

1

48
votes
Official SpaceX Photos · CC0

Falcon 9 by SpaceX

SpaceX

It is currently the most reliable and frequently used rocket, with a track record of 100 successful launches.
The Falcon 9 is a two-stage reusable rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX. It is primarily used for delivering payloads to orbit, including satellites and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The Falcon 9 has achieved significant success and is considered one of the most advanced and reliable rockets in the industry.

Height: 70 meters (229.6 feet)

Diameter: 3.7 meters (12 feet)

Mass: 549,054 kg (1,210,000 lb)

Thrust: 1,720 kN (387,000 lbf)

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 22,800 kg (50,265 lb)
2

28
votes
Saturn V by NASA

It was the rocket that took humans to the Moon and remains the most powerful rocket ever built.
The Saturn V by NASA is a legendary and iconic rocket that was developed for the Apollo program and played a crucial role in the moon landing missions. It is known as the most powerful and successful rocket ever built.

Height: 363 feet (110.6 meters)

Diameter: 33 feet (10.1 meters)

Mass: 6.2 million pounds (2.8 million kilograms)

Payload to Low-Earth Orbit: 310,000 pounds (140,000 kilograms)

Payload to Trans Lunar Injection: 107,100 pounds (48,600 kilograms)
3

16
votes
Lauren Harnett · Public domain

Soyuz by Roscosmos

RKK Energia

It has a long history of successful launches and is currently the only vehicle capable of taking humans to the International Space Station.
Soyuz by Roscosmos is a highly successful family of Russian space launch vehicles that has been in operation since the mid-1960s. It is the most frequently used rocket for human spaceflight and has played a significant role in the success of various space missions.

First flight: November 28, 1966

Height: 49.5 meters

Diameter: 3 meters

Mass (total): 305,000 kg

Payload to low Earth orbit: 7,020 kg
4

23
votes
Delta IV by ULA

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

It is a reliable and versatile rocket that has been used for both commercial and military missions.
The Delta IV is a family of expendable launch vehicles developed and built by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is designed for carrying medium to heavy payloads into space and has been considered one of the most successful rockets in its class.

First Launch: November 20, 2002

Height: 63-72 meters (Depending on variant)

Diameter: 5 meters

Stages: 2 or 3 (Depending on variant)

Payload to LEO: 14,220 kg (31,340 lb) - Delta IV Medium+
5

20
votes
NASA/Scott Andrews · Public domain

Atlas V by ULA

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

It is a dependable and cost-effective rocket that has been used for a variety of missions, including launching NASA's Mars rovers.
The Atlas V is a highly reliable and versatile expendable launch system developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is designed to deliver a wide range of payloads into various orbits, including communications satellites, Earth observation satellites, and interplanetary spacecraft.

Height: 58.3 m (191 ft)

Diameter: 3.81 m (12.5 ft)

Mass: 334,500 kg (737,000 lb)

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 19,050 kg (42,000 lb)

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 8,900 kg (19,600 lb)
6

12
votes
Chris Gunn · Public domain

Ariane 5 by Arianespace

Arianespace

It is one of the most powerful and reliable rockets in the world, with a track record of over 100 successful launches.
The Ariane 5 is a highly successful heavy-lift launch vehicle designed and developed by Arianespace. It is known for its reliability and versatility in delivering payloads to a variety of orbits, including geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and low Earth orbit (LEO). The rocket has been in operation since 1996 and has achieved a solid track record of successful missions, making it a popular choice for commercial and government satellite launches.

Height: 52 - 55 meters

Diameter: 5.4 meters

Mass at liftoff: 780 - 820 metric tons

Payload capacity to GTO: up to 10,500 kg

Payload capacity to LEO: up to 21,000 kg
7

7
votes
江戸村のとくぞう · CC BY-SA 4.0

H-IIA by JAXA

JAXA

It is a reliable and cost-effective rocket that has been used for a variety of missions, including launching Japan's first interplanetary mission.
The H-IIA by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is a successful two-stage expendable launch system used to deliver satellites into orbit. It is the primary launcher for Japan's space missions and has achieved a high success rate.

Height: 53 meters (174 ft)

Diameter: 4 meters (13 ft)

Mass: 285,000 kg (628,317 lb)

Payload to LEO: up to 6,000 kg (13,228 lb)

Payload to GTO: up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lb)
8

10
votes
中国新闻社 · CC BY 3.0

Long March by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

It is a family of reliable and cost-effective rockets that have been used for both commercial and military missions.
The Long March is a series of Chinese carrier rockets developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) for various space missions. It is one of the most successful and reliable rocket families in the world, playing a significant role in China's space exploration endeavors.

Rocket Name: Long March

First Launch Date: 1970

Success Rate: over 96%

Payload Capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): up to 25,000 kg

Launch Vehicle Height: 39.6 m - 68.287 m
9

7
votes
Indian Space Research Organisation · GODL-India

PSLV by ISRO

It is a reliable and cost-effective rocket that has been used for a variety of missions, including launching India's first mission to Mars.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a highly successful medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is primarily used to deploy Earth observation satellites into polar and low-Earth orbits.

Height: 44 meters

Diameter: 2.8 meters

Mass at liftoff: 320,000 kg

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

Payload capacity to SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit): 1,450 kg
10

11
votes
NASA Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Lab · Public domain

Electron by Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab

It is a small and agile rocket that has been used for launching small satellites into orbit. It is one of the few rockets that can be launched from a mobile platform.
The Electron by Rocket Lab is a small, two-stage launch vehicle designed for the delivery of small satellites to low Earth orbit. It is a lightweight, cost-effective rocket that provides frequent and reliable access to space for small payloads.

Height: 17 m

Diameter: 1.2 m

Mass: 12,800 kg

Payload Capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 300 kg

Propellant: RP-1 (Rocket Propellant-1) and liquid oxygen

Missing your favorite rocket?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for successful rocket

Payload capacity

The ability of the rocket to deliver a significant amount of payload into orbit or beyond.
Reliability

The number of successful launches and missions completed without significant failures or setbacks.
Reusability

The extent to which the rocket can be reused without significant refurbishment or expenses.
Cost-effectiveness

The economic efficiency of the rocket in terms of launch and operational costs compared to alternative options.
Innovation

The degree to which the rocket incorporates new and advanced technologies in its design and operation.
Safety

The measures in place to ensure the safety of the payload, crew, and ground personnel.
Environmental impact

The ecological consequences of launching and operating the rocket, such as emissions and waste management.
Flexibility

The ability of the rocket to accommodate a range of missions and adapt to changing needs and requirements.
Speed

The pace at which the rocket can deliver the payload to its destination or complete its mission.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful 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

1767 views
179 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 successful rocket

Background Information: The Race to Space Since the beginning of time, humans have been fascinated with space exploration. The idea of leaving our planet and traveling to other worlds has captured our imaginations for centuries. In the mid-20th century, this fascination turned into a race to space between two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. The race began in earnest in 1957, when the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. This event shocked the world and sparked a new era of technological advancement. The United States responded with the creation of NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and the development of the Mercury program, which launched the first American astronauts into space. As the race continued, both nations developed new rockets and spacecraft, each striving to be the first to achieve major milestones in space exploration. The United States ultimately won the race to the moon in 1969 with the successful landing of the Apollo 11 mission. However, the Soviet Union continued to make significant achievements in space exploration, including the first spacewalk and the first space station. Today, space exploration continues to be a major area of interest for many nations and private companies. Rockets and spacecraft have become more advanced and efficient, allowing for greater exploration and scientific discovery. With the development of new technologies and partnerships between countries, the possibilities for space exploration are endless.