10 Biggest Rockets Ever Built by Man

A Rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft, or a vehicle which obtains thrust by the reaction of the rocket to the ejection of fast moving fluid exhaust from a rocket engine. These rockets either contain solid rocket fuel or liquid fuel which chemically combines together to give enormous thrust to escape the gravity of Earth travelling nearly 11km/sec.

Rockets are not only used for military purpose but also for science, communication and even used for man to land on the Moon. Technological advancements in various parts of the world vary so does the size of a rocket.

SATURN V

Saturn V world’s largest rocket and most powerful rocket ever built in the history of mankind. This was the rocket which made it possible for man to step on the Moon. Saturn V was 363 feet nearly as tall as a 40 story building.

N-1

N1 was yet another powerful and largest rocket developed by the soviets to launch man to the Moon. All rockets were destroyed during their test flights. N1 was 344.5 feet tall.

ARES-1

Ares-1 is another US designed rocket which is currently under development. After the retirement of shuttle, Ares will transport man to space and even to Moon again. Ares-1 is 310 feet long and powered by one solid rocket engine during lift off.

DELTA IV

Delta IV is a U.S made rocket designed for the military and commercial use. This rocket has height of 206 feet.

ATLAS V

Atlas V is a U.S made rocket designed to deliver heavy pay load to the Earth’s orbit. This rocket has height of 195 feet and has a total lift off mass of 333,298 kg.

ARIANE 5

Ariane 5’s first test flight in June 1996 failed, with the rocket self-destructing 37 seconds after launch because of a malfunction in the control software, which was arguably one of the most expensive computer bugs in history. This rocket has a height of 193 ft.

SPACE SHUTTLE

Now here comes the ultimate machine, the Space Shuttle. Made in USA, Space Shuttle is currently being used to deliver medium size cargo into orbit and operated by seven men crew. Space Shuttle has a height of 184 ft.

H-IIB ROCKET

The H-IIB is a Japanese liquid-fuelled rocket providing an expendable launch system for the main purpose of launching the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) towards the International Space Station (ISS). It has height of 56m.

FALCON 9

The Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage-to-orbit; liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene powered launch vehicle manufactured by SpaceX. This rocket in under development and will be launch at the end of 2009. This rocket has height of 178 ft.

PROTON

The first Proton was launched in 1965 and the launch system is still in use as of 2009, which makes it one of the most successful heavy boosters in the history of spaceflight. It has height of 53m.

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