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Space Shuttle vs Thor Able I

RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT #11 VS #287 CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026
Side by side
Verdict

Space Shuttle ranks #11 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (27,500 kg); Thor Able I ranks #287 (120 kg).

Rank 11 of 311 · leads
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
Rank 287 of 311
Payload to low Earth orbit
120 kg
Launches3
Success rate33.3%
Payload to GTO—
First flight24 Apr 1958
Height30 m
Liftoff thrust667 kN
Launch mass51 t
Launch cost$8,900,000
ReusableNo
StatusRetired
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