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Space Launch System Block 1 vs Space Shuttle

RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT #4 VS #11 CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026

Side by side

Verdict

Space Launch System Block 1 ranks #4 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (95,000 kg); Space Shuttle ranks #11 (27,500 kg).

Rank 04 of 311 · leads

Payload to low Earth orbit

95,000 kg

Launches2

Success rate100%

Payload to GTO—

First flight16 Nov 2022

Height98 m

Liftoff thrust39,000 kN

Launch mass2,628 t

Launch cost$2,000,000,000

ReusableNo

StatusActive

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 Space Launch System Block 1 matchups

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