Proton launch costs?

[JonClarke]

What the current cost of a Proton launching a maximum payload to GEO? I have done some hunidng have have not found anything more current that a 1994 figure of $70 million.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[nyarlathotep]

Given the rebound in the Russian economy and increased labour costs, probably somewhere significantly north of that figure. You'd have to call ILS for a quote if you want the exact numbers.

 

[JonClarke]

Using a 5% annual inflation figure it comes to $125 million per launch. <br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[nyarlathotep]

For some perspective, In 1995 Russian GDP per capita was $1,868 (EBRD). It is now sitting at $5,369 (IMF, April 2006). I don't know what the labour costs involved with a Proton launch are, but I'd bet that they would be significant. <br />

 

[edkyle98]

Since it is hanging in the commercial market with them, Proton has to cost, on a per kg to GTO basis, no more than Sea Launch Zenit or Ariane 5. The "price" is almost certainly artificially inflated.<br /><br />Proton costs less than Atlas V, since ILS usually chooses Proton over Atlas for commercial launches. We know, from the recent NASA launch services agreement with ILS, that an Atlas V 401 costs $136 million, including payload processing and range costs, etc. That equates to a $200 million price ceiling for Proton on a per-kg to GTO basis. I would expect that Proton costs much less than that - it would have to cost much closer to $100 million than $200 million to compete with Ariane 5. The $125 million mentioned earlier may be close to the mark. <br /><br /> - Ed Kyle

 

[themanwithoutapast]

General inflation in Russia is much higher than inflation with regard to certain industrial goods - food, clothes etc. have risen in price to a higher extent while other goods did not rise that much.<br /><br />I concur that Proton cannot be priced higher than its competitors, it even has to be priced lower because there are certain things (reputation, transport, insurance) that are discouriging people to launch their payloads on Proton rather than on Ariane 5 or Zenit. Ariane 5 estimated launch prices for a double launch to GTO (9t in total) are €180 million. Proton has to be priced somewhat below half of this price (because the max. payload to orbit is signficiantly less and only a single launch to GTO is possible with Proton). I guess they have to price it at about €80-85 million which would make around $100 million per launch. Also fits nicely into the picture if you only assume 3% inflation since 1994 for the rocket launch industry in Russia.

 

[JonClarke]

Thanks, and Ed too. So my wild stab at $125 isn't too far off as a first approximation.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

$ 125 ??<br />Heck, I'll pay that myself <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />(It's a joke, Jon) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

You don't have that money???? Drat! I was going to give you a shopping list for me!<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>