SpaceX · USA
ULA · USA
| Falcon 9 | Metric | Vulcan Centaur |
|---|---|---|
| 22,800 kg | Payload to LEO | +19%27,200 kg |
| 8,300 kg | Payload to GTO | +73%14,400 kg |
| 70 m+14% | Height | 61.6 m |
| ~$2,720/kg+102% | Cost per kg | ~$5,500/kg |
| 99.5% | Success Rate | +1%100% |
| 2010+1% | First Flight | 2024 |
| Yes | Reusable | No |
| SpaceX | Company | ULA |
| USA | Country | USA |
Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — relative scale
Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)
4
Falcon 9 wins
0
Tied
3
Vulcan Centaur wins
Vulcan Centaur delivers 19% more payload to LEO, making it the heavier lifter.
Falcon 9 is more cost-effective at ~$2,720/kg vs ~$5,500/kg.
Vulcan Centaur has a higher success rate (100% vs 99.5%), indicating greater flight heritage.
Falcon 9 is reusable, which can significantly reduce long-term launch costs.
Overall, Falcon 9 wins on more metrics (4 vs 3), though each rocket is designed for different mission profiles.