Cambridge Economist Projects Dramatic Drop in Launch Costs by 2040
A new dataset reveals that the cost of sending a kilogram into orbit could plummet to $273 by 2040, according to a study led by Alessio Terzi.
In July 2026, a research team led by Alessio Terzi, an assistant professor at Cambridge’s Bennett School of Public Policy, published a groundbreaking study in PNAS Nexus. This study compiled the largest launch-cost dataset ever, analyzing 4,400 rockets flown since 1960.
The findings suggest a significant reduction in the cost of launching payloads into space. Currently, the cost stands at $3,868 per kilogram, but projections indicate it could drop to just $273 by the year 2040.
This dramatic decrease in launch costs could revolutionize the space industry, making it more accessible for various applications, including satellite deployment and interplanetary exploration.