Present status of U.S. launch vehicles and future prospects

An overview is presented of the U.S. inventory of launch vehicles and upper stages, with a look at space transportation systems in the development and planning phases. Vehicles considered include: the Conestoga family of commercially built launch vehicles; the Scout family of solid-propellant rockets; the Delta vehicle in numerous configurations; the Atlas family; the Titan family; the family of payload assist modules; IUS; Centaur; Transtage; Stage Vehicle (SGS-II); second generation space transportation systems (Shuttles) for after 1995; complementary expendable launch vehicles; Shuttle-Derived Vehicle/Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle; and a transatmospheric vehicle, along with a number of upper stages.