A super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLLV) is a launch vehicle capable of lifting more than 50,000 kg (110,000 lb) of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO).
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Successful vehicles
Three vehicles have successfully launched super heavy lift payloads:
The Space Shuttle and Energia-Buran orbiter differed in that both launched what was essentially a reusable, manned third stage that carried cargo internally. Though a cargo version of Shuttle was proposed, it was never built. A cargo version of Energia was developed and launched, however the Polyus module it carried failed to achieve orbit. Similarly, four Soviet N1 rockets launched with a payload capacity of 95,000 kg (209,000 lb), but all four failed shortly after lift-off (1969-1972).
In development
These rockets are currently undergoing active development:
Numerous super-heavy lift vehicles have been proposed and received various levels of development prior to their cancellation. Perhaps furthest along was the U.S. Ares V for the Constellation program. This was designed to carry 188,000 kg (414,000 lb) and was cancelled in 2010, though much of the work has been carried forward into the SLS program. While the 140,000 kg (310,000 lb) class Long March 9 has been proposed by China, it is in very early stages of development. Similarly, the Russian Angara A7 rocket has been proposed with a lifting capability of 35,000 to 50,000 kg (77,000 to 110,000 lb), which would likely put it into the heavy lift class.
In August 2016, Russia's RSC Energia announced plans to develop a super heavy-lift launch vehicle using existing components instead of pushing the less-powerful Angara A5V project. This would allow Russia to launch missions towards establishing a permanent Moon base with simpler logistics, launching just one or two 80-to-160-ton super-heavy rockets instead of four 40-ton Angara A5Vs implying quick-sequence launches and multiple in-orbit rendezvous.