Which Rocket for My Satellite?
Find the best launch vehicle for your payload
Find the right rocket for any mission — compare payload capacity to LEO, GEO, TLI, and Mars injection for every active launch vehicle on the market, from Falcon 9 to Ariane 6 to New Glenn. Filter by payload mass, orbit type, reusability, and price per kg to find which rocket best matches your mission profile. Includes all active and in-development launch vehicles.
💡 SpaceX's Falcon 9 has launched over 300 times with a success rate above 98%, making it the most flown orbital rocket in history.
kg
Frequently asked questions
Which rocket should I use to launch a small satellite?
For sub-200 kg satellites, dedicated small launchers like Rocket Lab Electron offer fastest scheduling. For cost-per-kg, SpaceX Transporter rideshare is unbeaten at ~$5,500 per kg. ISRO PSLV is a competitive option for larger smallsats. The right rocket depends on schedule, target orbit and whether you need a precise drop-off.
What is the largest rocket flying today?
SpaceX Starship is currently the most powerful rocket ever built, generating ~74.5 MN of thrust at liftoff and capable of >100 tonnes to LEO once fully operational. NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 generates ~39.1 MN and lifts 95 tonnes to LEO. Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational US rocket flying regular missions.
How do I match a rocket to my orbit?
Each rocket publishes payload capacity to specific orbits — LEO, SSO, GTO, TLI and Mars injection. Capacity drops as energy requirements increase: Falcon 9 lifts 22.8 t to LEO but only 8.3 t to GTO and 4.0 t to Mars. The selector shows capacity-versus-orbit for every active vehicle so you can match payload mass to delta-v.
Which rocket is the most reliable?
Atlas V leads with a >99% success rate over 100+ flights. Falcon 9 sits at ~98% across 350+ launches and has the longest active streak of consecutive successful missions. Soyuz, despite a longer flight history, has had several recent failures dropping its modern reliability to ~96%.