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India's Satellite Launch Costs 4x Higher Than US

August 24, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

India's satellite launch cost is 4x higher than the US.
Cost per kg is $13,302, compared to $3,225 in the US.
A Department of Space source disputes the study's findings.
Study suggests global launch costs will plummet by 2040.

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Strategic Implications

The study's findings may indicate that India's space program faces significant cost challenges, which could impact its competitiveness in the global launch market. However, the Department of Space's subsidies and savings may suggest that the actual costs are lower, which could strengthen India's position in the market.

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What Happened

Cambridge Study Sparks Debate Over India's Space Launch Expenses

A University of Cambridge study has found that India’s satellite launch costs are four times higher than those in the US, with a cost per kilogram of $13,302 compared to $3,225 in the US. However, a source in the Department of Space disputes the study’s findings, citing subsidies and savings that were not factored in. The study also suggests that global launch costs will decrease significantly by 2040, according to the report published in Economics Letters and first reported by Unknown Source.

Source | Originally Published: August 24, 2026

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