Technology
Verified dataReaching orbit got 44× cheaper
Cost to launch one kilogram to low Earth orbit, by rocket (inflation-adjusted). SpaceX's reusable Falcons cost around $1,500–2,600/kg — a fraction of the Space Shuttle's $65,000 and of nearly every rocket before them.
CSV · 61 rows · 1962–2019
The cost to launch a kilogram to low Earth orbit has collapsed. SpaceX's Falcon Heavy costs about $1,500/kg and Falcon 9 about $2,600 — roughly 44 times cheaper than the Space Shuttle's $65,400, and far below almost every earlier rocket (all in constant 2021 dollars).
Key findings
- SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launches at about $1,500/kg — roughly 44 times cheaper than the Space Shuttle's $65,400.
- Reusable rockets pushed costs far below almost every vehicle of the previous 50 years.
- Cost per kilogram still depends on rocket size: small launchers remain much more expensive per kg.
Explore the data
Coverage: Jan 1, 1962 – Dec 31, 2019 · Global
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Sources
Primary source
CSIS Aerospace Security Project
via Our World in Data
Cost of space launches to low Earth orbit
Accessed Aug 22, 2026
Launch cost per kg to LEO on a dedicated launch, by vehicle, constant 2021 US$.
Methodology
Estimated cost to launch one kilogram of payload to low Earth orbit on a dedicated launch, by vehicle, in constant 2021 US dollars (adjusted for inflation). Each rocket is plotted at its first-launch year. Data are compiled by Our World in Data from the CSIS Aerospace Security Project.
What this does not show
Cost per kilogram depends heavily on rocket size — small vehicles are far more expensive per kilogram than large ones — so the spread in any year mostly reflects vehicle class, not the state of the art. Figures are estimated list prices for a dedicated launch and vary with contract, payload and reuse; the vertical axis is logarithmic.
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License: CC BY 4.0
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<figure style="margin:0;max-width:1600px">
<a href="https://chartive.org/visualizations/launch-cost-to-orbit-1962-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
<img src="https://chartive.org/infographics/launch-cost-to-orbit-1962-2019.png" alt="Logarithmic scatter chart of launch cost per kilogram to low Earth orbit by rocket, 1962 to 2019, in constant 2021 dollars. Costs range from over $100,000/kg to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy at about $1,500 and Falcon 9 at $2,600, far below the Space Shuttle's $65,400 and Saturn V's $5,400." width="1600" height="2133" style="max-width:100%;height:auto" />
</a>
<figcaption style="font:14px/1.4 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#57534e;margin-top:8px">
Graphic by Chartive Editorial, using data from CSIS Aerospace Security Project — via <a href="https://chartive.org/visualizations/launch-cost-to-orbit-1962-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chartive</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>Reuse is welcome — the embed keeps a link back to the source.