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http://www.everything-science.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=2
E-S said:
E-S said:CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2005--An Atlas V launch vehicle carried its largest payload to date into orbit tonight, the Inmarsat 4-F1 satellite that weighs nearly 6 metric tons (5,959 kgs/13,138 pounds). This also marked the third launch of the year for International Launch Services (ILS).
A heavy launch/lift vehicle is a type of spacecraft used to launch or lift heavy payloads into space. These vehicles are designed to carry large amounts of cargo, such as satellites, probes, and space stations, into orbit.
Heavy launch/lift vehicles use powerful engines and advanced technology to generate enough thrust to lift heavy payloads off the ground and into space. They also rely on booster rockets and stages that are discarded during flight to reduce weight and increase efficiency.
The main components of a heavy launch/lift vehicle include the first stage, which provides the initial thrust to lift the vehicle off the ground, the upper stage, which carries the payload into orbit, and the fairing, which protects the payload during launch and ascent.
Heavy launch/lift vehicles are primarily used for launching satellites and other spacecraft into orbit for purposes such as communication, navigation, and scientific research. They can also be used for sending supplies and equipment to astronauts on the International Space Station.
One of the main advantages of heavy launch/lift vehicles is their ability to carry large and heavy payloads into space. They also have the capacity to launch multiple payloads at once, making them more cost-effective. Additionally, they can reach higher orbits and travel further distances than smaller launch vehicles.