Compare · Rockets
Space Shuttle vs Vanguard
RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT
#11 VS #308
CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026
Side by side
Verdict
Space Shuttle ranks #11 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (27,500 kg); Vanguard ranks #308 (9 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 308 of 311
Payload to low Earth orbit
9 kg
Launches11
Success rate27.3%
Payload to GTO—
First flight23 Oct 1957
Height23 m
Liftoff thrust123 kN
Launch mass10 t
Launch cost—
ReusableNo
StatusRetired
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Source The Space Devs — Launch Library 2
Last checked 29 Sept 2026