Compare · Rockets
Delta IV Heavy vs Space Shuttle
RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT
#10 VS #11
CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026
Side by side
Verdict
Delta IV Heavy ranks #10 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (28,370 kg); Space Shuttle ranks #11 (27,500 kg).
Rank 10 of 311 · leads
Payload to low Earth orbit
28,370 kg
Launches16
Success rate93.8%
Payload to GTO14,210 kg
First flight21 Dec 2004
Height72 m
Liftoff thrust8,674 kN
Launch mass733 t
Launch cost$350,000,000
ReusableNo
StatusRetired
Rank 11 of 311
Payload to low Earth orbit
27,500 kg
Launches135
Success rate98.5%
Payload to GTO—
First flight12 Apr 1981
Height56.1 m
Liftoff thrust28,200 kN
Launch mass2,030 t
Launch cost$450,000,000
ReusableYes
StatusRetired
Try another pair
More Delta IV Heavy matchups
- Delta IV Heavy vs Saturn V
- Delta IV Heavy vs Starship V3
- Delta IV Heavy vs N1
- Delta IV Heavy vs Space Launch System Block 1
- Delta IV Heavy vs Energiya/Buran
- Delta IV Heavy vs Energiya
- Delta IV Heavy vs Falcon Heavy
- Delta IV Heavy vs New Glenn
- Delta IV Heavy vs Starship V2
- Delta IV Heavy vs Long March 5
- Delta IV Heavy vs Long March 5B
- Delta IV Heavy vs Angara A5/Briz-M
Source The Space Devs — Launch Library 2
Last checked 29 Sept 2026