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India's Space Launch Cost: Costliest, Not Cheapest?
23 Aug
Summary
- India's per-kilogram launch cost is $13,302, highest among major space nations in 2025.
- US launch cost averages $3,225 per kilogram, benefiting from reusable rockets and scale.
- Smaller payloads spread India's fixed costs over fewer kilograms, raising per-kg costs.
A new academic study by European institutions questions India's reputation as the most cost-effective space launcher. Researchers suggest India's per-kilogram launch cost in 2025 reached $13,302, the highest among major space nations, four times that of the United States' $3,225. This finding contradicts the widely held belief in ISRO's frugal engineering.
The study attributes India's higher per-kilogram cost to its generally smaller payloads, which spread fixed expenses over fewer kilograms. Unlike the US and Europe, India, China, Russia, and Japan showed no significant cost reduction patterns over time. The US benefits greatly from reusable rockets and high launch frequency, factors that have reshaped global space economics.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan has disputed the study's data, calling it inaccurate, while former Chairman Dr. S Somanath suggested that cost per kilogram doesn't tell the full story. The lack of transparent cost accounting in India complicates direct comparisons with international providers.
With India aiming for significant growth in its space economy, challenges in launch service competitiveness loom. The study emphasizes that scale, launch cadence, and reusability are crucial for future success in the space race.
