The increasingly crowded U.S. space race

NASA is setting its sights on the moon once more – with a view to future manned missions to Mars – which is encouraging commercial companies to build rocket boosters capable of carrying cargo and people into space

Latest entrant
Next Generation Launcher (NGL)

Drawing on its experience of shuttle-derived solid rocket boosters it uses to power U.S. nuclear missiles and interceptors, Orbital ATK is looking to compete for government and
commercial contracts using its own launch vehicle system

Due: 2021

Main purpose, key

Satellites/cargo

Tourism

Moon

Mars


20 40 60 metres 80 100 120

Vulcan Heavy (ULA) Due: 2019

Falcon Heavy (SpaceX) Due: 2017

New Glenn (Blue Origin) Due: 2019

Space Launch System (SLS) (NASA) Due: 2018

Interplanetary Transport System (SpaceX) Due: 2020s

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Sources: Aviation Week, Space.com, NASA, wire agencies 

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