Brian Wang Falcon Heavy by SpaceX has a cost per kilogram to LEO of approximately $1,400 per kg. This figure reflects the cost-effectiveness achieved through partial reusability and high payload capacity. A single use Super Heavy Starship and booster will be able to bring full payloads to orbit for about $250-600 per kilogram. This is with costs of about $90 million and reusable payloads of 200 tons and non-reusable payloads of 300-400 tons. Initial cost of Super Heavy booster and Starship: $90 million Fuel and maintenance cost per flight: $2 million Number of reusable flights: 6 Total cost for 6 flights: 90,000,000+(2,000,000×6)=102,000,000 With 200 tons payload: $16.43 per kg With 240 tons payload: $13.69 per kg It would be about 70 flights to get to costs per kilogram 100 times less (1% of the cost) of SpaceX Falcon Heavy. There have been over 25 flights of the booster stage of some Falcon 9 rockets. The SpaceX Super Heavy Starship could get to far lower costs to SpaceX by reducing the cost for fuel and maintenance between flights. This would be after the Starship is flying reliably. SpaceX will charge more than their costs for others to fly on their launches. The $1400 per kilogram price is what they are charging others. SpaceX costs for Falcon Heavy area less as they are reusing the booster stages. There should be block 3 Starships and improved engines flying by the end of 2025. Brian Wang Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology. Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels. A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements. Categories