Orion Payload Launch Vehicle

The Orion Payload Launch Vehicle has one purpose, that is to get anything into orbit no matter how heavy (were talking thousands of tons here). This is achieved by it's unique but crude engine. The vehicle operates by releasing small shaped nuclear charges behind the massive pusher plate on the very aft end of the craft.
Currently all attempts to phase out these massive ships are being made via investment in payload lifting infrastructure such as research for materials for larger sky-hooks and for space elevators, research into more efficient surface to space vehicles and methods for using non self contained nuclear charges for newer Orion Payload craft.

Power Generation

All Orion craft are currently fitted with a nuclear reactor which powers multiple turbine generators.

Propulsion

Propulsion is achieved via use of shaped nuclear charges ranging from one kiloton to bombs in the megaton range (though the former are never used near any planets).