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AbsentThatDay t1_iy05fyq wrote

Reply to comment by SteelyEyedHistory in Yearly payload capacity to LEO across the history of spaceflight by ClearlyCylindrical

I'm wondering if ICBMs are included on the chart, as some have the capacity to reach LEO.

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ClearlyCylindrical OP t1_iy06o5y wrote

They will not be included. The dataset lists the flights which reach orbit, and then determines the payload of the vehicle from the name of the vehicle given in the dataset.

The vehicle dataset does contain the capabilities for sub-orbital launch vehicles, and there is a dataset for the suborbital vehicle launches on the site which I linked in my comment, and so you could try to process that too if you were so inclined.

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colonizetheclouds t1_iy48k67 wrote

even an ICBM that goes halfway around the world is still waaay short of reaching orbit.

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AbsentThatDay t1_iy5jta9 wrote

I believe they reach orbital velocity though, it's just the trajectory that is different.

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