Compare · Rockets

Saturn V vs Space Shuttle

RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT #1 VS #11 CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026

Side by side

Verdict

Saturn V ranks #1 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (140,000 kg); Space Shuttle ranks #11 (27,500 kg).

Rank 01 of 311 · leads

Payload to low Earth orbit

140,000 kg

Launches13

Success rate92.3%

Payload to GTO—

First flight09 Nov 1967

Height110.6 m

Liftoff thrust35,100 kN

Launch mass2,970 t

Launch cost—

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

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More Saturn V matchups

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