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A comment on Space Stasis (Neal Stephenson). Parent comment

Re:Space Stasis (Neal Stephenson) by quickpost on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @06:46PM (#2172794)
> I estimate that it is possible to reduce launch costs by at least 10x, and that is using 1960's rocket technology with modern computers and sensors.

I couldn't agree more. They are already at least 3x cheaper based on my very rough calculations and wikipedia:

- Falcon 9: $56million

- Delta IV: $150million

- Atlas V: $187million

And they are just at the very beginning of recovering their research costs and systematizing the process of rocket building. I am amazed at what they have been able to accomplish thus far.

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Re:Space Stasis (Neal Stephenson) by jacoblyles on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @09:09PM (#2173220)
Did you correct for inflation?

http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/

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Re:Space Stasis (Neal Stephenson) by quickpost on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @11:03PM (#2173528)
I'm not sure what you mean. Those are all active launch vehicles and current prices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_IV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_V

They're 1960's technology, not 1960's prices... ;)

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