Space Shuttle AR vs Spaceflight Simulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
Spaceflight Simulator
Build and launch rockets to explore a realistic, open universe. Experience space exploration with accurate physics and a vast, explorable solar system.
- Build custom rockets
- Realistic orbital mechanics
- Explore a scaled universe
- Visit planets and moons
- Open-world space exploration
- Real-life physics simulation
Read full descriptionHide full description
This game is about space explorations, its about building your own rocket, and going out to explore and see whats out there, all while following real life physics. • Realistically scaled universe, with planets up to hundreds of kilometers in size and millions of kilometers of space between them. • Realistic orbital mechanics • Open universe, if you see something in the distance, you can go there, no limits, no invisible walls. Current planets: Mercury. Venus. Earth. Moon. Mars. Phobos. Deimos.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Space Shuttle AR at none against Spaceflight Simulator's 11. Space Shuttle AR also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Spaceflight Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (97K vs 1.1K). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Spaceflight Simulator sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Space Shuttle AR asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Space Shuttle AR against 4.8 for Spaceflight Simulator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spaceflight Simulator has 97K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Space Shuttle AR's written reviews are positive against 86% of Spaceflight Simulator's.
Space Shuttle AR ships an update every 5 months, Spaceflight Simulator every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Space Shuttle AR | Spaceflight Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.1K ratings) | 4.8 (97K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | 97K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 172 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Noriaki Murao | Spaceflight Simulator UK Ltd |
Customer experience
Space Shuttle AR
Spaceflight Simulator
User reviews
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
Spaceflight Simulator
From 97K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Realistic physics and space simulation
- 👍 Intuitive controls and easy to learn
- 🚀 Ability to build complex rockets and spacecraft
- 👍 No ads or in-app purchases required to play
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches, especially with large rockets
- 🔋 Potential performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Limited customization and part options in free version
- 🚀 Docking and rendezvous maneuvers can be very challenging
Bugs and requests
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)
Spaceflight Simulator
Reported bugs
4 issues- Rocket parts sometimes clipping through each other
- Occasional freezing or crashing when launching large rockets
- Issues with RCS thrusters firing unexpectedly during docking
- Problems with maintaining stable orbits and transfers
Requested features
6 requests- Add more planets, moons, and celestial bodies to explore
- Implement a career mode or progression system with challenges
- Allow for more customization of rocket parts and spacecraft
- Improve docking and rendezvous mechanics to make them more accessible
- Add the ability to control individual astronauts and perform EVAs
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Implement a fuel line system for more efficient staging
In-app purchases
Space Shuttle AR
No in-app purchases
Spaceflight Simulator
- Skins Expansion$2.99
- Full Version$3.99
- Redstone + Atlas Pack$3.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Parts Expansion$4.99
- Infinite Area Expansion$4.99
- Expansion Bundle$7.99
- Cheats Expansion$9.99
- Full Bundle Upgrade$9.99
- Full Bundle$11.99
- Full Bundle$14.99
Questions
Is Space Shuttle AR free?
Is Spaceflight Simulator free?
Which has better reviews, Space Shuttle AR or Spaceflight Simulator?
Do Space Shuttle AR or Spaceflight Simulator have ads?
Which is updated more often, Space Shuttle AR or Spaceflight Simulator?
Other comparisons
