Spaceships and Rockets

What Is a Rocket?

A rocket is a vehicle designed to transport spacecraft from the surface of Earth into space, typically to low Earth orbit or farther, and is often referred to as a launch vehicle.

While many rockets may look alike, each one is unique. They are highly complex machines made up of millions of individual components and systems that must function together precisely. The choice of rocket depends on the mission’s requirements. For instance, a spacecraft that needs to travel farther from Earth will require a larger, more powerful rocket.

Space Launch System (SLS)
NASA’s Space Launch System combines immense power with capability, forming a key part of the Artemis program and deep space exploration. SLS is currently the only rocket able to launch the Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and cargo directly to the Moon in a single mission.

Commercial Crew Rockets
Private companies are also launching astronauts to low Earth orbit in collaboration with NASA. These new commercial rockets expand human access to the International Space Station (ISS), allowing for more research time, broader scientific opportunities, and increased flexibility in orbital operations.

What Is a Spacecraft?

A spacecraft is a vehicle designed to operate in space. It may carry astronauts, cargo, or scientific instruments, or it may itself serve as the mission destination. The ISS is an example of a spacecraft, as are the smaller vehicles that transport crew and supplies to it.

Spacecraft are launched aboard rockets and have their own propulsion and navigation systems. Once separated from the rocket, they can travel to other destinations within the solar system. The primary purpose of a spacecraft is to transport payloads—anything carried beyond what is necessary for operation in space. For example, during the Artemis II mission, the Orion spacecraft will transport astronauts and research experiments to lunar orbit.

Orion Spacecraft
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is designed to take humans farther than ever before. On Artemis missions, Orion will serve as the crew’s primary exploration vehicle, offering emergency abort capabilities, sustaining the astronauts during travel, and ensuring safe re-entry from deep space. Orion launches atop NASA’s heavy-lift Space Launch System.

Commercial Cargo Spacecraft
Private cargo spacecraft now transport supplies and scientific experiments to and from the ISS. These commercial resupply missions are transforming NASA operations, helping foster a robust U.S. commercial space industry and freeing NASA to develop the next-generation rockets and spacecraft needed for deep space exploration.

Human Landing Systems

Human landing systems are designed to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back. NASA has contracted commercial providers, including Blue Origin and SpaceX, to develop these systems for the Artemis program. Once astronauts complete lunar surface missions, they will return to lunar orbit and travel home aboard Orion.

Gateway Deep Space Logistics

Astronauts operating at the Gateway lunar orbital platform will require regular deliveries of vital cargo, including pressurized and unpressurized supplies, scientific experiments, and tools for sample collection. In March 2020, NASA selected SpaceX as the first commercial U.S. provider under the Gateway Logistics Services contract to deliver these essential resources to the platform.