World's Highest Payload Capacity

Starship is designed to carry over 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit in a fully reusable configuration, with potential for over 200 metric tons in an expendable mode, significantly exceeding rockets like the Saturn V (140 metric tons) and NASA's SLS (95 metric tons).

The top 3

  1. Saturn V: Historic LEO Payload King, Starship's Future Reign: NASA's Saturn V holds the record for the highest payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 140,000 kg (310,000 lbs), while SpaceX's Starship is designed to surpass this with a projected 100-150 metric tons (220,000-331,000 lbs) in its baseline reusable configuration.
  2. Today's Top Operational Heavy-Lift Rockets: SpaceX's Falcon Heavy is currently the most powerful operational rocket by payload to orbit, capable of delivering 63,800 kg to LEO in an expendable configuration. NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1, which successfully launched Artemis I, can carry 95,000 kg to LEO.
  3. Lowest Cost Per Kilogram to Orbit: SpaceX's Falcon 9 offers the most affordable current launch cost at approximately $2,700-$3,000 per kilogram to LEO, with Starship projected to dramatically reduce this to $100-$200 per kilogram.

Sources

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