Falcon 9 Launch Cost in 2026: Price, Cost per kg and What You Get

Falcon 9 is the most frequently flown commercial rocket, and it is one of the few whose price is published. This guide explains what SpaceX lists for a Falcon 9 launch in 2026, what that means per kilogram for different orbits, how a rideshare slot compares, and what is and is not published for Falcon Heavy.

The official Falcon 9 price

SpaceX's "Capabilities and Services" document lists the price of a Falcon 9 launch as $74 million under its standard payment plan, through 2026. The price is tied to a payload of up to 5.5 metric tons to standard GTO. SpaceX describes this as competitive pricing for its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch services and refers customers to sales@spacex.com for launch services.

Falcon 9 performance

SpaceX's Falcon 9 page lists:

Payload to LEO: 22,800 kg
Payload to GTO: 8,300 kg
Payload to Mars: 4,020 kg
Height: 70 m; diameter: 3.7 m; mass: 549,054 kg
Fairing: 13.1 m high, 5.2 m in diameter

The Capabilities and Services document states that these figures represent the maximum capability on a fully expendable vehicle. Note that the document lists 22,000 kg to LEO, while the vehicle page lists 22,800 kg; both are published by SpaceX. The 5.5 t GTO figure tied to the standard price is lower than the 8,300 kg maximum, because maximum performance requires an expendable booster.

What Falcon 9 costs per kilogram

Using the $74 million list price, our own calculation gives these theoretical values:

GTO, at the 5.5 t tied to the standard price: about $13,500 per kg
LEO, at the 22,800 kg maximum expendable capability: about $3,250 per kg

These are upper and lower reference points, not quotes. Real missions rarely use the full theoretical capacity, and the LEO maximum assumes an expendable vehicle that the standard price is not tied to. Your actual price depends on mission requirements and contract terms.

Falcon 9 rideshare versus a full Falcon 9

If your satellite is small, you do not need a whole rocket. SpaceX's Smallsat Rideshare Program lists $350,000 for 50 kg to SSO, plus $7,000 per additional kilogram, with SSO missions approximately every four months.

Full Falcon 9: $74 million, your orbit and schedule
Rideshare: from $350,000, shared orbit and schedule

At $7,000 per additional kilogram to SSO, rideshare costs more per kilogram than the theoretical LEO value of a fully loaded Falcon 9, but far less in absolute terms for small payloads. See how much it costs to launch a satellite and how to book a rideshare launch.

Falcon Heavy

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy page lists 63,800 kg to LEO, 26,700 kg to GTO and 16,800 kg to Mars. The current Capabilities and Services document does not list a Falcon Heavy price, so we do not quote one here. Read more in Falcon Heavy and heavy payload launches.

What the price does not include

The satellite itself, its testing and its transport to the launch site
Satellite insurance, see launch insurance
Licensing and frequency coordination
Mission-specific services beyond the standard offering

For FAA-licensed U.S. launches, the launch licensee must carry third-party liability insurance set by the FAA under 14 CFR 440.9.

Is Falcon 9 the right rocket?

Falcon 9 suits heavy single satellites, constellation batches, missions to GTO and payloads that need a flight-proven rocket with high cadence. For smaller payloads, rideshare or a small launcher may fit better. Compare alternatives in launch providers compared or on Carrier Space's Falcon 9 page and the vehicle comparison.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Falcon 9 launch cost?

SpaceX lists $74 million with its standard payment plan through 2026, for up to 5.5 t to standard GTO.

What is the Falcon 9 cost per kg?

Based on the list price, about $13,500 per kg to GTO at 5.5 t, and about $3,250 per kg to LEO at the 22,800 kg maximum expendable capability. Both are theoretical reference values.

How much does a Falcon 9 rideshare cost?

$350,000 for 50 kg to SSO plus $7,000 per additional kilogram.

How much does Falcon Heavy cost?

SpaceX's current Capabilities and Services document does not list a Falcon Heavy price.

How much can Falcon 9 carry?

Up to 22,800 kg to LEO and 8,300 kg to GTO according to SpaceX, as maximum capability on a fully expendable vehicle.

Sources

Cover image: Falcon 9 lifts off with NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 mission, 1 August 2025. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky (NHQ202508010040), public domain.