Moon Mission Explorer Simulator vs Space Shuttle AR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Moon Mission Explorer Simulator
Embark on an outer space adventure as a NASA astronaut exploring the lunar surface. Drive a rover, search for aliens and artifacts, and repair your spaceship to return home with alien technology.
- Drive Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)
- Locate and catch aliens
- Search moon caves and crevasses
- Find alien artifacts
- Repair spaceship
- Investigate lunar disaster
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Explore the surface of the moon! Drive the LRV! Locate all moon bases ! Repair spaceship! Catch aliens! In this outer space adventure, you play as a fully equipped NASA astronaut. You have been sent from Earth to investigate a mysterious disaster on the surface of the moon. Drive the Lunar Roving Vehicle (Apollo LRV II) Find and catch aliens Search across the barren landscape, moon caves and dangerous crevasses Find alien artifact Find components and repair the spaceship You have discovered aliens. Fly back home with the alien technology. Video Preview https://youtu.be/-6AWFKutr0U
Space Shuttle AR
Experience the Space Shuttle's return through augmented reality. As the launch director, guide the shuttle from launch to a safe docking with the International Space Station. Witness realistic smoke, fire, and engine separation in your own environment.
- Augmented Reality (AR) experience
- Launch director role
- Space Shuttle launch simulation
- Docking with International Space Station
- Realistic smoke and fire effects
- Booster and fuel tank separation
- Multiple viewing angles
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The Space Shuttle has been revived through Augmented Reality(AR) since its last flight in 2011. AR is a technology that displays virtual objects in the real world. You are the launch director of the Space Shuttle. Your mission is to launch the Space Shuttle and dock with the International Space Station safely. The Space Shuttle will be launched with smoke and fire from the launch pad. The shuttle will separate booster engines and an external fuel tank. It will dock with the Space Station above the Earth. The sound and the countdown make AR Space Shuttle more realistic. You can watch the shuttle's motions from various angles. Launch a 3D virtual Space Shuttle in your backyard or any other place. This app is a simple experiment in AR. The app is not only for Space Shuttle fans but also for anyone interested in AR. Try launching the 3D virtual Space Shuttle now.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Space Shuttle AR at 78% against Moon Mission Explorer Simulator's 16%. Space Shuttle AR also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Moon Mission Explorer Simulator's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Moon Mission Explorer Simulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Space Shuttle AR asks for nothing beyond the download.
Space Shuttle AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 261 and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of Moon Mission Explorer Simulator's written reviews are positive against 78% of Space Shuttle AR's.
Moon Mission Explorer Simulator ships an update fortnightly, Space Shuttle AR every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Moon Mission Explorer Simulator | Space Shuttle AR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.5 (261 ratings) | 4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 15.6% of reviews | 78.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 261 | 1.1K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 98 MB | 68 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | App Holdings | Noriaki Murao |
Customer experience
Moon Mission Explorer Simulator
Space Shuttle AR
User reviews
Moon Mission Explorer Simulator
From 261 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎮 Fun and engaging gameplay mechanics
- 🌙 Interesting space/moon exploration theme
- 👽 Unique alien encounter mechanics
- 🎨 Good visual details (Earth view, game preview)
- ⏱️ Oxygen system creates survival tension
Room to improve
- 🐛 Constant crashing and forced app closure
- ❌ Game unplayable on iPad despite compatibility claims
- 📱 Frequent crashes on iOS devices
- ⚠️ Game kicks users out immediately upon launch
- 🚶 Extremely slow character movement speed
Space Shuttle AR
From 1.1K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Realistic space shuttle simulation
- 👍 Stunning graphics and visuals
- 🎉 Engaging and educational experience
- 💡 Innovative use of AR technology
Room to improve
- 🐛 Placement and launch issues on some devices
- 🔍 Limited control and customization options
- ⏱️ Short gameplay duration
Bugs and requests
Moon Mission Explorer Simulator
Reported bugs
11 issues- App crashes immediately at splash screen or launch
- Game kicks users out to home screen upon opening
- Black screen appears then returns to home screen
- App fails to open on iPad Pro with specific iOS versions
- Game incompatible with iOS 16.1.1 and similar versions
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- Crashes after loading screen
- Item pickup mechanic doesn't function
- Ship disappears when traveling too far (game breaking)
- Long load times on newer iPad models
- Game crashes during gameplay sessions
- Bluetooth connectivity issues preventing app launch
Requested features
11 requests- Add comprehensive in-game instructions and tutorials
- Implement easy landing stage before exploration
- Replace space shuttle with lunar excursion module for accuracy
- Add more missions and extended gameplay content
- Reduce or implement optional advertisement system
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- Improve character movement speed and fluidity
- Add difficulty settings (easy mode for children)
- Extend oxygen duration or add difficulty options
- Improve shuttle visual details and damage appearance
- Add ability to return to Earth via shuttle
- Support for iPhone and iPod devices
Space Shuttle AR
Reported bugs
2 issues- Freezing and crashing on launch
- Inability to place the shuttle on flat surfaces
Requested features
4 requests- Add more rockets and spacecraft to launch
- Allow users to build and customize their own rockets
- Implement a re-entry and landing sequence
- Provide more background options (e.g., stars, planets)
In-app purchases
Moon Mission Explorer Simulator
- No Ads$0.99
Space Shuttle AR
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Moon Mission Explorer Simulator free?
Is Space Shuttle AR free?
Which has better reviews, Moon Mission Explorer Simulator or Space Shuttle AR?
Do Moon Mission Explorer Simulator or Space Shuttle AR have ads?
Which is updated more often, Moon Mission Explorer Simulator or Space Shuttle AR?
Other comparisons
