Re:Why Tesla is having a harder time than SpaceX
by kuschku on Saturday April 14, 2018 @10:04AM
(#16837352)
I suggest taking a look at launch prices for a single satellite in an Ariane 5 dual launch, which is cheaper than any non-reused launches SpaceX offers.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Why Tesla is having a harder time than SpaceX
by nkoren on Saturday April 14, 2018 @11:22AM
(#16837678)
A whole Ariane5 launch costs between $165M and $220M. Divide that by two satellites and it's still more expensive, per satellite, than a Falcon 9 (at $63M) -- and the satellites can't be nearly as heavy. There are instances of the lower berth being sold for as little as $60M, but that is
for fairly modest satellites (relative to what an F9 can carry), and is only possible because it's being heavily subsidized by the upper berth. There's no comparison.