Super heavy-lift launch vehicle

A super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLLV) is a rocket that can lift a payload of 50 metric tons (110,000 lb) to low Earth orbit according to the United States, and more than 100 metric tons (220,000 lb) by Russia. It is the most capable launch vehicle classification by mass to orbit, exceeding that of the heavy-lift launch vehicle classification. Crewed lunar and interplanetary missions typically depend on super-heavy launch vehicles.

Only 14 such payloads were successfully launched before 2022: 12 as part of the Apollo program before 1972 and two Energia launches, in 1987 and 1988.

Several super heavy-lift launch vehicle concepts were produced in the 1960s, including the Sea Dragon. During the Space Race, the Saturn V and N1 were built by the United States and Soviet Union, respectively. After the Saturn V's successful Apollo program and the N1's failures, the Soviets' Energia launched twice in the 1980s, once bearing the Buran spaceplane. The next two decades saw multiple concepts drawn out once again, most notably Space Shuttle-derived vehicles and Rus-M, but none were built.

In the 21st century, super heavy-lift launch vehicles began to receive interest once again, leading to the development & launch of the Falcon Heavy, the Space Launch System, and Starship, as well as the development of the Long March 9 and 10, Yenisei, NGLV, and New Glenn 9x4 rockets.