Study Finds Launch Costs Dropping

By Frank Morring, Jr.
Washington

Prices for launching commercial satellites to geostationary orbit have dropped in the past decade and show signs of continuing the trend, a study backed by Arianespace with participation by International Launch Services (ILS) finds.

Measured by kilograms-to-orbit, and adjusted for inflation, analysis by The Tauri Group finds a 34% drop in launch costs from 1999 to 2008. Measured in 2008 dollars, the ...

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