Launchers are the enormous rockets that propel a spacecraft or payload into orbit.

There are two types of launch system: the Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) was developed from ballistic missiles in the 1950s and is only used once. Fuel tanks and rockets are discarded after launch in a process called ‘staging’, which means that the spacecraft doesn’t use precious energy carrying parts it doesn’t need.

All satellites and probes use ELVs. The only craft to use a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) is the US Space Shuttle. It discards its fuel tanks after launch, but its rockets remain attached and can be used again after extensive refurbishment.