Space Computing Energy Tech Transport Science Dev Loyalty ↗ ◐ Dark mode ◎ Enable Alerts
Launches Missions Watch Orbital Events News Rockets Agencies Vehicles Astronauts Satellites Archive Future
Compare · Rockets

Space Shuttle vs Vulcan VC2S

RANKED BY PAYLOAD TO LOW EARTH ORBIT #11 VS #34 CHECKED 29 SEPT 2026
Side by side
Verdict

Space Shuttle ranks #11 of 311 on Payload to low Earth orbit (27,500 kg); Vulcan VC2S ranks #34 (19,000 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 34 of 311
Payload to low Earth orbit
19,000 kg
Launches2
Success rate100%
Payload to GTO8,400 kg
First flight08 Jan 2024
Height61.6 m
Liftoff thrust9,303 kN
Launch mass663 t
Launch cost—
ReusableNo
StatusActive
Try another pair