Dedicated small launchers give satellite operators control over orbit and launch date. But the vehicles differ strongly in how much they can carry. Here is a comparison of four rockets that matter for operators in Europe and beyond, based on the data published by the manufacturers and ESA.
Overview
- Rocket Lab Electron: up to 300 kg to low Earth orbit. Height 18 m, diameter 1.2 m. The first stage uses nine Rutherford engines, the second stage one vacuum-optimised Rutherford engine, plus a kick stage for precise orbit placement.
- Isar Aerospace Spectrum: up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit and 700 kg to sun-synchronous orbit. Height 28 m, diameter 2 m. Two stages with nine engines on the first stage and one engine on the second stage, fuelled with liquid oxygen and propane.
- RFA One: up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. Height 30 m, diameter 2 m. Three stages: the first two use Helix engines, nine of them on the first stage, and the third stage is called Redshift.
- Vega-C: up to about 2,300 kg according to ESA. Height 35 m, liftoff mass 210 tonnes. Three solid-propellant stages and a liquid-propellant upper stage for precise orbit placement.
What the numbers mean
Electron is designed for single small satellites and small groups of CubeSats. Spectrum and RFA One sit in a class of up to about one tonne and can carry several small satellites or one larger spacecraft. Vega-C is the largest of the four and is used for institutional Earth observation and science missions as well as for dual launches.
More than payload mass
Payload capacity is only one criterion. For a real mission, operators should also compare:
- the available target orbits and launch sites,
- the flight record and the planned launch rate,
- the interfaces and dispensers offered,
- the price and the flexibility of the launch date.
With Carrier Space you can compare transport options for your mission and send a request directly.
Frequently asked questions
Which small launcher carries the most payload?
Of the four vehicles compared here, Vega-C carries the most, up to about 2,300 kg according to ESA. RFA One is specified for up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit, Spectrum for up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit and Electron for up to 300 kg.
Which small launchers fly from Europe?
Vega-C launches from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Spectrum flies from Andøya in Norway. Rocket Factory Augsburg carried out the hot fire campaign for the RFA One first stage at SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.
What should operators compare besides payload mass?
Available orbits and launch sites, flight record and launch rate, interfaces and dispensers, price and flexibility of the launch date.
Related reading
- Rideshare or Dedicated Launch? How Small Satellites Get to Orbit
- Europe's launch sites: Kourou, Andøya, SaxaVord and Esrange compared
- Isar Aerospace Reaches Orbit: Spectrum Opens Commercial Launch from Continental Europe
Sources
- Rocket Lab, Electron: rocketlabcorp.com
- Isar Aerospace, Spectrum: isaraerospace.com
- Rocket Factory Augsburg, RFA One: rfa.space
- ESA, "FLEX and Sentinel-3C lift off" (Vega-C data): esa.int
Cover image: AI-generated illustration (Carrier Space, created with OpenAI). It does not show the actual vehicles.