Small-Lift Rockets
Dedicated small-satellite launchers placing under 2 tonnes into orbit (where documented).
- PegasusLaunch vehicle
An air-launched, three-stage solid-fueled small rocket dropped from a carrier aircraft to place small satellites into low Earth orbit.
ClassSmall-liftFirst flight1990LEO450 kgStatusActive - VegaLaunch vehicle
Europe's small-lift launcher with three solid stages and a liquid upper stage, for small scientific and Earth-observation satellites.
ClassSmall-liftFirst flight2012LEO1,500 kgStatusRetired - EpsilonLaunch vehicle
A Japanese solid-fueled small-lift rocket derived from the H-IIA's booster technology, launched from the Uchinoura Space Center for small scientific satellites.
ClassSmall-liftFirst flight2013LEO1,200 kgStatusActive - ElectronLaunch vehicle
A small-lift orbital rocket by Rocket Lab for dedicated small-satellite launches, with electric-pump-fed engines and recoverable first stages.
ClassSmall-liftFirst flight2017LEO300 kgStatusActive - Firefly AlphaLaunch vehicle
A small-to-medium-lift two-stage rocket operated by Firefly Aerospace for dedicated small-satellite launches.
ClassSmall-liftFirst flight2021LEO1,000 kgStatusActive - SSLVLaunch vehicle
ISRO's small-satellite launch vehicle, designed for low-cost, on-demand launches of small payloads to low Earth orbit.
ClassSmall-liftFirst flight2022LEO500 kgStatusActive