Saturn IB was designed to carry the Apollo spacecraft into orbit and had increased engine thrust and a redesigned second stage from its predecessor.

The United States Air Force (USAF) operated the Titan IV to supplement Space Shuttle launches.

[a] Falcon 9 grew more capable through iterative design, with upgrades including improved Merlin engines and the lengthening of both stages.

[8] Falcon Heavy is categorized as a heavy-lift launch vehicle when flown in configuration to recover the center core and both side boosters.

When expending the center core or all boosters, its payload to LEO exceeds 50,000 kg, qualifying Falcon Heavy as a super heavy-lift launch vehicle.