Rocket milestones in 2024

Ariane 6
Two versions – Ariane 62 with two strap-on boosters and Ariane 64
with four. Height: 62m

New Glenn: Blue Origin aims to carry payloads of 45 tonnes to low Earth orbit. Named in honour of John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth. Height: 95.4m

Vulcan Centaur: Joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. United Laun30ch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur can lift 27.2 tonnes into low Earth orbit. Height: 61.6m

Vega C: Italian Avio’s Vega C is expected to launch in fourth quarter after failure of first commercial flight in Dec 2022. Height: 35m

Starship: SpaceX will continue to test after first two flights ended in failure. Height: 50m

Ariane 6: European Space Agency’s (ESA) heavy-lift rocket is set to make its debut mission between
Jun 15-Jul 31. Ariane 64 can carry payloads of up to 11.5 tonnes to geostationary orbit or 20 tonnes to low Earth orbit

Starship and its Super Heavy Booster stand 121m tall

Two-stage BE-4 engines burn liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen


Sources: ESA, Space.com, Reuters, United Launch Allianc

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