A heavy-lift launch vehicle, HLV or HLLV, is an orbital launch vehicle capable of lifting between 20,000 to 50,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO). As of 2017[update], operational heavy-lift launch vehicles include the Ariane 5, the Proton-M and the Delta IV Heavy. In addition, the Angara A5, the Falcon 9 Full Thrust and the Long March 5 are designed to provide heavy-lift capabilities but have not yet been proven to carry a 20-tonne payload into LEO. Several other heavy-lift rockets are in development.
Those currently operational rockets have demonstrated heavy-lift capability to low Earth orbit.
The following rockets have not yet flown with a 20-tonne payload to LEO that would qualify them as an HLLV.
The following HLLVs were formerly operational:
Four HLLVs are currently being developed:
Delta IV Heavy launching a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload on 28 August 2013, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Ariane 5 ES launching the Albert Einstein ATV towards the International Space Station in June 2013
Proton-M on the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome