Going into space: it’s not easy – each kilogram needs about 32,900,000 joules of energy just to reach low earth orbit.
The cost associated with this energy is enormous, so every kilogram counts. Costs have decreased over time – 2020 Falcon Heavy launch costs $ 950 / kg (£ 685 / kg), while the 1981 space shuttle launch cost £ 85,216 / kg (£ 61,467 / kg) – but space agencies are still working hard to keep their spacecraft’s mass to an absolute minimum.
Despite this obstacle, humans have launched vehicle after vehicle through the atmosphere and into space.
But which one is the heaviest? These are the spaceships with the greatest mass to have flown in Earth orbit and beyond.
ten. Salut 1
Russian space station
In service: 1971
Weight: 18,900 kg
9. ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle)
European Space Agency cargo ship
In service: 2008–2014
Weight: 19,357 kg
8. Salut 7
Russian space station
In service: 1982-1991
Weight: 19,824 kg
7. Tianhe base module
Cornerstone of the Chinese space station Tiangong
In service: April 2021-present
Weight: 22,000 kg
6. Apollo Command and Service Module
american lunar spacecraft
In service: 1968-1975
Weight: 28,800 kg
5. Skylab
american space station
In service: 1973-1979
Weight: 77,000 kg
4. Buran
Russian unmanned space plane
In service: 1988
Weight: 105,000 kg (Orbiter vehicle mass)
3. Spaceship
American orbiter vehicle
In service: 1981-2011
Weight: 110,000 kg (Gross takeoff weight of Endeavor)
2. Mir
Russian space station
In service: 1986-2001
Weight: 140,000 kg
1. International space station
Space station, composed of 16 pressurized modules
In service: 1998-present
Weight: 419,725 kg (size 2011)
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