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As of March 2013, there are a number of current rocket projects being run by NASA, the European Space Agency, the China National Space Administration, SpaceX, the Orbital Science Corporation, and Virgin Galactic.

NASA currently uses both the Atlas and Delta rockets in order to launch satellites and other heavy instruments into space. Similar to NASA, the European Space Agency uses the Ariane 5 and Vega rocket systems to deliver payloads into orbit. China’s Change’e 3 program will also attempt to reach the Moon in 2013 using the Long March 3B launch vehicle. Currently the Russian Soyuz capsule is the only way to ferry people to the International Space Station.

The relationship between NASA and private industry has been very close since the shuttle program’s inception. Since the decommissioning of the shuttles, NASA has given a much larger role to private companies. In the private sector, SpaceX uses its Falcon 9 launch system in order to send its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. In addition, the Orbital Science Corporation has many upcoming projects including the Antares launch system, designed to carry the Cygnus spacecraft. Virgin Galactic is also preparing to use SpaceShip-Two, powered by a hybrid rocket motor, in order to achieve sub-orbital flight.