How Much Does It Cost to Launch a Satellite? Prices per kg in 2026

How much does it cost to launch a satellite? The honest answer is that it depends on mass, target orbit, launch type, schedule and the services around the launch, and that most launch providers do not publish prices at all. There is one important exception: SpaceX lists its rideshare prices openly. This guide uses that public price as a reference, shows what it means per kilogram for typical satellite sizes, and explains which additional costs you need to budget for.

The public reference price in 2026

According to SpaceX's Smallsat Rideshare Program page (accessed 4 October 2026), dedicated rideshare missions start at $350,000 for 50 kg to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), with additional mass at $7,000 per kg. SpaceX states that affordable rates are also available to mid-inclination LEO, GTO and trans-lunar injection (TLI), but it does not list those prices. SSO missions fly approximately every four months, according to SpaceX.

Plate options and included mass

1/4 plate: bolt pattern 8 inch, included mass 50 kg
1/2 plate: bolt pattern 8 or 15 inch, included mass 100 kg
Full plate: bolt pattern 15 or 24 inch, included mass 200 kg
Full plate (XL volume): bolt pattern 24 inch, included mass 300 kg

SpaceX publishes the included mass per plate, but not a separate price for each plate size. Larger spacecraft can request custom configurations or a "cake topper" slot on top of the stack.

What the list price means per kilogram

The table below applies the published SSO formula: $350,000 for the first 50 kg and $7,000 for every additional kilogram. These are our own calculations from the list price, not quotes. Real contracts depend on plate type, volume, optional services and contract terms.

5 kg: list price to SSO $350,000, price per kg $70,000
10 kg: list price to SSO $350,000, price per kg $35,000
25 kg: list price to SSO $350,000, price per kg $14,000
50 kg: list price to SSO $350,000, price per kg $7,000
100 kg: list price to SSO $700,000, price per kg $7,000
150 kg: list price to SSO $1,050,000, price per kg $7,000
200 kg: list price to SSO $1,400,000, price per kg $7,000
300 kg: list price to SSO $2,100,000, price per kg $7,000

Two things stand out. First, the minimum price makes very small satellites expensive per kilogram: a single 5 kg CubeSat would pay $70,000 per kg if it booked a whole quarter plate alone. Second, above 50 kg the price per kg falls quickly toward $7,000. This is why small CubeSats usually fly through an integrator who combines many CubeSats in a dispenser and shares the cost of one slot.

What else you pay for

The launch ticket is only one part of the budget. Plan for these items as well:

Separation system or dispenser. The rideshare guide covers spacecraft with standard 8, 15 or 24 inch interfaces, 4-point interfaces and CubeSat dispensers. Mechanical adapters for non-standard interfaces, additional deploy signals and other special configurations cost extra, according to SpaceX. See fairings, adapters and separation systems.
Integrator or broker fees. NASA explains that a broker matches a spacecraft with a launch, while an integrator also performs analyses and physical integration and may provide the dispenser or separation system. Both are paid services.
Optional launch site services. SpaceX lists payload fueling as an optional service that is not part of standard rideshare.
Testing. Vibration, shock and thermal vacuum tests must be passed before delivery. Facility time and test hardware add up.
Transport and campaign. SpaceX receives rideshare payloads at the launch site around L-30, about 30 days before launch. Shipping, travel and the team's time on site are your costs.
Licensing. NASA notes that the operator must obtain radio frequency licensing and, where relevant, remote sensing licensing and laser approval. Launch providers require proof before integration. See spectrum licensing and ITU filings.
Insurance. Launch and third-party liability cover, explained in satellite launch insurance and liability.
Ground segment. SpaceX makes the customer responsible for tracking and contacting the payload after separation, which means ground station costs from day one.
Last-mile transport. If the rideshare orbit does not match your target, an orbital transfer vehicle is an additional cost.

The cost of delays

Delays are a real cost factor. SpaceX states that if a payload is delayed, 100% of the money paid can be applied to rebooking on a future mission, subject to a 5 to 10% rebooking fee. On a $350,000 slot, that fee would be $17,500 to $35,000. Other providers have their own terms, so compare them before signing. Our article on booking a rideshare launch covers the deadlines that cause most delays.

Rideshare versus dedicated launch

A rideshare is usually the cheapest option per kilogram, but you give up control. NASA's small spacecraft report notes that on rideshares with a primary spacecraft, the primary mission determines orbit and schedule. Dedicated small launch vehicles offer tailored access to space, with your own orbit and timing, at a higher price per kilogram. Most dedicated launch providers do not publish prices and quote on request. Our guides to rideshare vs dedicated launch and small launchers compared explain the trade-offs.

Lower-cost routes for research and education

Some programs reduce launch costs for specific groups. NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative gives selected U.S. educational institutions and nonprofit organizations what NASA calls a low-cost pathway to space. ESA's Fly Your Satellite program, according to NASA's report, provides launch opportunities to university CubeSat teams from ESA Member States, Canada and Slovenia. NASA's VADR contract buys commercial launches for higher-risk NASA payloads with reduced oversight, which NASA describes as lower-cost access to space.

How to estimate your launch budget

Determine the final mass including the separation system.
Define the target orbit and whether a rideshare orbit is acceptable.
Use the public reference price for a first estimate, then request quotes from several providers.
Add integration, testing, licensing, insurance, transport and ground segment costs.
Include a reserve for rebooking in case of delays.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to launch a satellite in 2026?

The only widely published price is SpaceX rideshare to SSO: $350,000 for up to 50 kg, plus $7,000 for each additional kilogram. A 150 kg satellite would cost $1,050,000 at list price.

How much does it cost to launch a CubeSat?

On its own, a CubeSat would pay the $350,000 minimum for a quarter plate. In practice, many CubeSats share a dispenser through an integrator, who divides the slot cost among customers.

What is the cheapest way to launch a satellite?

Rideshare is usually the cheapest per kilogram. Educational and nonprofit teams can apply to programs such as NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative or ESA's Fly Your Satellite.

Why do most launch providers not publish prices?

Prices depend on orbit, mass, schedule and services, so most providers give individual quotes on request.

Is the launch the biggest cost of a satellite mission?

Not necessarily. Building, testing, licensing, insurance and operations can together cost more than the launch, especially for larger satellites.

Sources

Cover image: NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen with CubeSats to be deployed from the International Space Station, June 2023. Credit: NASA (iss069e025742), public domain.