Soyuz

The Soyuz launch vehicle (not to be confused with the Soyuz TM capsule) has launched every cosmonaut into space since Voskhod 1 in 1964.  Also known as the SL-4/A-2, the Soyuz has two stages, plus four strap-on boosters; it is over 160 feet (50 meters) tall and weighs 310 tonnes at launch. It is the most frequently used Russian booster, with up to 20 launches annually.  Over 1000 have been launched successfully. Many of these launches are for military photoreconnaisance satellites, although the Soyuz rocket is also used to launch the Progress resupply vehicles to the Mir Space Station.  An upgraded version of this vehicle is expected to be ready in time for the International Space Station project.  Substantial resupply missions will be possible.  The launch vehicle can take off either from Tyuratum (Baikonur), Kazakhstan or from Plesetsk, Russia.
