Launch systems are the technologies and processes used to send spacecraft, satellites, or other payloads into space. These systems typically include a launch vehicle, which is a rocket designed to carry the payload beyond Earth's atmosphere, and ground support equipment that helps prepare and monitor the launch. The launch vehicle is often composed of multiple stages, each designed to operate at different points during the ascent. Once the vehicle reaches the desired altitude and speed, it releases the payload into orbit or on a trajectory toward its destination, such as the Moon or Mars, often involving complex calculations and precise timing.