Reusable Rocket Economics: Cost per kg to Orbit
Analysis of launch cost trends from $10,000/kg to $200/kg, comparing Falcon 9, Starship, Neutron, and Terran R.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Cost per kg trajectory: $10K to $200
- ✓ Falcon 9 vs Starship vs Neutron vs Terran R
- ✓ Reuse economics model
- ✓ Flight rate and amortization analysis
- ✓ Market demand elasticity
Overview
An economic analysis of reusable launch vehicles and the dramatic reduction in cost per kg to orbit. Compares Falcon 9, Starship, Neutron, and Terran R with cost models and market implications.
What's Inside
Historical Cost Trends
From the Space Shuttle at $54,500/kg to Falcon 9 at $2,720/kg and Starship's projected $200/kg, launch costs have dropped 25x in two decades. We model the cost components for each vehicle.
Competitive Landscape
SpaceX's Starship promises full reusability and $200/kg, while Rocket Lab's Neutron and Relativity's Terran R target the medium-lift market. We compare payload capacity, cadence projections, and constellation deployment implications.
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