Compare · Rockets

Energiya/Buran vs Space Shuttle

RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT #5 VS #11 CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026

Side by side

Verdict

Energiya/Buran ranks #5 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (90,400 kg); Space Shuttle ranks #11 (27,500 kg).

Rank 05 of 311 · leads

Payload to low Earth orbit

90,400 kg

Launches1

Success rate100%

Payload to GTO—

First flight15 Nov 1988

Height97 m

Liftoff thrust35,301 kN

Launch mass2,629 t

Launch cost—

ReusableYes

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 Energiya/Buran matchups

Source The Space Devs — Launch Library 2 Last checked 29 Sept 2026