---
title: "International Space Station vs Space Shuttle — size, weight an"
description: "International Space Station is 5.4× Space Shuttle on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/international-space-station-vs-space-shuttle/
site: "At One Place"
---

# International Space Station vs Space Shuttle

**International Space Station vs Space Shuttle: International Space Station is larger on weight**

International Space Station is 5.4× Space Shuttle on weight.

International Space Station and a Space Shuttle can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | International Space Station | Space Shuttle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 419.7 t | 78–2,030 t |
| Length | 109 m | 37.24 m |
| Width | 73 m | 23.79 m |
| Typical cost | 150,000,000,000 $ | 1,600,000,000 $ |

## What the numbers say

- International Space Station is 5.4× Space Shuttle on weight.
- International Space Station is 2.9× Space Shuttle on length.
- International Space Station is 3.1× Space Shuttle on width.
- International Space Station is 94× Space Shuttle on typical cost.

*Weight compared.*

- International Space Station: 419.7 t
- Space Shuttle: 78–2,030 t

## International Space Station

A crewed orbital laboratory assembled from 1998, orbiting at about 400 km and circling the Earth every 90 minutes.

## Space Shuttle

The reusable NASA orbiter flown on 135 missions between 1981 and 2011.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, International Space Station or Space Shuttle?

International Space Station is 5.4× Space Shuttle on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do International Space Stations and Space Shuttles compare on length?

International Space Station: 109 m. Space Shuttle: 37.24 m. International Space Station is 2.9× Space Shuttle on length.

### How do International Space Stations and Space Shuttles compare on width?

International Space Station: 73 m. Space Shuttle: 23.79 m. International Space Station is 3.1× Space Shuttle on width.

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## Sources

- NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration (https://www.nasa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]