expendable launch vehicle

An expendable launch vehicle is a rocket-powered system designed to transport a spacecraft beyond Earth's atmosphere into orbit or outer space. These vehicles operate based on Newton's third law of motion, expelling exhaust gases to generate thrust. Unlike air-breathing engines, rockets carry their own oxidizers, allowing them to function in a vacuum.123

Most launch vehicles are expendable, meaning they are used only once, which contributes to the high cost of space access. To maximize payload capacity, these vehicles are designed to be as lightweight as possible, with propellants making up the majority of their launch weight. Launch vehicles often use multiple stages, with each stage detaching after its fuel is depleted, allowing subsequent stages to accelerate the remaining vehicle more efficiently.142