---
title: "Saturn V vs Space Shuttle — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Saturn V is 38× Space Shuttle on weight. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/saturn-v-vs-space-shuttle/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Saturn V vs Space Shuttle

**Saturn V vs Space Shuttle: Saturn V is larger on weight**

Saturn V is 38× Space Shuttle on weight.

A Saturn V and a Space Shuttle can be compared on 3 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.*

|  | Saturn V | Space Shuttle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 2,970 t | 78–2,030 t |
| Height | 110.6 m | 17.25 m |
| Typical cost | 1,230,000,000 $ | 1,600,000,000 $ |

## What the numbers say

- Saturn V is 38× Space Shuttle on weight.
- Saturn V is 6.4× Space Shuttle on height.
- Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than Saturn V on typical cost — about 1.3×.

*Weight compared.*

- Saturn V: 2,970 t
- Space Shuttle: 78–2,030 t

## Saturn V

The rocket that carried Apollo to the Moon, still the tallest and most powerful launch vehicle ever flown successfully.

## 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, Saturn V or Space Shuttle?

Saturn V is 38× Space Shuttle on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do Saturn Vs and Space Shuttles compare on height?

Saturn V: 110.6 m. Space Shuttle: 17.25 m. Saturn V is 6.4× Space Shuttle on height.

### How do Saturn Vs and Space Shuttles compare on typical cost?

Saturn V: 1,230,000,000 $. Space Shuttle: 1,600,000,000 $. Space Shuttle is somewhat greater than Saturn V on typical cost — about 1.3×.

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## Sources

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