9 November 2026Business

Musk expects Starship to cut cost of cargo to orbit below $100 per kilogram

Musk says full reusability of Starship should bring the cost of delivering cargo to orbit under $100 per kilogram.

Presented by Off Planet News

SpaceX’s third test flight launch of Starship observed by satellite — SpaceX’s third test flight launch of Starship was observed by satellite as it lifted off and ascended through the atmosphere. GOES imagery: CSU/CIRA & NOAA via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk expects that delivering 1 kg of cargo to orbit will cost less than $100 in the future. "I think we get to under $100 a kilogram to orbit," he said in an interview with entrepreneur Ron Baron.

Baron quoted NASA as saying the figure stood at $18,500 in 2010 and fell after the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9. Musk said Falcon 9 has around 80% usability, with the booster returning and landing but the upper stage not reflown. He said the upper stage costs roughly as much as a medium-sized jet.

SpaceX’s Starship launched from Boca Chica, Texas. The shadow of the rocket plume can be seen in the early light. GOES imagery: CSU/CIRA & NOAA via Wikimedia Commons

Musk said the entire Starship system is designed for reusability. He forecast that SpaceX will be able to launch the Super Heavy booster every hour in the future.

In August, Musk said SpaceX expects to deliver up to 10 million tons of cargo per year to orbit using Starship.

Sourcetass.com

Get the day in space before breakfast.