Comparison

Space Agency vs Space Shuttle AR

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Space Agency

Design, construct, and launch your own rockets and satellites. Build a space station and explore the solar system in this challenging simulation game for aspiring astronauts.

Highlights
  • Build rockets
  • Launch satellites
  • Create a space station
  • Explore the solar system
  • Challenging gameplay
Features
Read full description

Build rockets, launch satellites, create a space station! Do you want to build and fly your own space rockets? Of course you do! Are you a billionaire? No...that makes it tricky. Fortunately, there is a way for us non-billionaires to run our own space programme...Space Agency! * Build rockets * Launch satellites * Create a space station * Explore the solar system This is a highly challenging and complex game. Only the most talented astronauts should attempt it. Have you got the right stuff?

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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 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.

Screenshots

Space Agency4 screens
Space Shuttle AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Space Shuttle AR at Free against Space Agency's $1.99. Space Shuttle AR also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Space Agency's advantage is chart position (#105 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Space Shuttle AR is free to download; Space Agency costs $1.99 up front. Space Agency sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Space Shuttle AR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Space Shuttle AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 740 and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Space Agency's written reviews are positive against 78% of Space Shuttle AR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Space Agency ships an update every 2 months, Space Shuttle AR every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Space Agency versus Space Shuttle AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpace AgencySpace Shuttle AR
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (740 ratings)4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.3% of reviews78.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7401.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#105 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNooleusNoriaki Murao

Customer experience

Space Agency

All ratings740 ratings
Positive84.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews369 reviews
Positive75.3%
Neutral9.5%
Negative15.2%

Space Shuttle AR

All ratings1,120 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive78.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative19.6%

User reviews

Space Agency

From 740 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Challenging and fun gameplay
  • 👍 Great value for money
  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay and controls
  • 🚀 Addictive and engaging
  • 👍 Realistic space simulation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
  • 🔒 Limited parts and features in sandbox mode
  • 🔒 Microtransactions for additional content
  • 🐛 Difficulty with certain missions
  • 🔒 Lack of updates and new content

Space Shuttle AR

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What 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

Space Agency

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Sandbox mode parts not unlocking properly
  • Crashes and freezes during gameplay
  • Inability to restore purchased content
  • Glitches with certain rocket and station designs
  • Inconsistent performance on different devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add space shuttle functionality
  • Introduce astronauts and crew management
  • Expand the solar system with more planets and moons
  • Implement a more realistic orbital mechanics system
  • Add multiplayer and co-op capabilities
Show 1 more
  • Improve the camera and docking controls

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

11 purchases

Space Agency

One-time11
  • Mission 02 Skip$0.99
  • Mission 12 Skip$0.99
  • Mission 15 Skip$0.99
Show 8 more
  • Mission 16 Skip$0.99
  • Transponder Module$0.99
  • 50 Quick Launches$1.99
  • 1000 Quick Launches$3.99
  • Nooleus X Parts Pack$3.99
  • Mission Free Unlock-All$4.99
  • Sandbox Unlock All Parts$7.99
  • Sandbox Unlock Standard Parts$7.99
None

Space Shuttle AR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Space Agency free?
Space Agency costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Space Shuttle AR free?
Space Shuttle AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Space Agency or Space Shuttle AR?
Space Shuttle AR is rated higher. Space Agency averages 4.4 out of 5 from 740 ratings, while Space Shuttle AR averages 4.7 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Space Agency or Space Shuttle AR have ads?
Neither Space Agency nor Space Shuttle AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Space Agency or Space Shuttle AR?
Space Agency ships an update every 2 months, and Space Shuttle AR every 5 months. Most recently, Space Agency was updated on September 22, 2026 and Space Shuttle AR on September 24, 2026.

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