How big is that rocket?
Rockets are almost entirely fuel tank. The payload sits in the last few metres at the top.
1.04 × Big Ben
100 m is taller than 7 of the 9 references on this page.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| average man (US) | 1.75 m | 57.1× | |
| V-2 | 14 m | 7.14× | |
| Electron | 18 m | 5.56× | |
| Space Shuttle stack | 56.1 m | 1.78× | |
| Falcon 9 | 70 m | 1.43× | |
| Statue of Liberty | 93 m | 1.08× | |
| Big Ben | 96 m | 1.04× | |
| Saturn V | 111 m | 0.904× | |
| Starship stack | 121 m | 0.826× | The tallest rocket ever flown |
Worth knowing
- The Saturn V was 110.6 m tall and 85% propellant by mass at launch. The Apollo capsule was the top 3.5 m.
- Starship at 121 m is the tallest rocket ever flown, and the first designed for both stages to be fully reusable.
Frequently asked
What was the biggest rocket ever?
By thrust and payload, Starship. By successful missions and payload delivered to the Moon, the Saturn V, which remains the most capable rocket ever flown to completion.
Why are rockets so big for such small payloads?
Because of the rocket equation: every kilogram of payload needs exponentially more propellant as the required velocity change grows. Reaching orbit needs about 9.4 km/s.