India is reported to have the highest per-kilogram rocket launch costs among major space powers, according to a study analyzing more than six decades of space missions. The findings indicate that India does not launch frequently enough to achieve lower costs through scale, despite its reputation for lower-cost launch capacity.
The outlets cite Cambridge-linked analysis comparing per-kilogram pricing across regions and spacefaring nations. NDTV reports 2025 average costs of $3,868 per kilogram globally, with the United States at $3,225, Japan at $5,287, China at $5,809, Russia at $6,682 and Europe at $9,897; India is listed at $13,302 per kilogram. The Times of India adds that the United States benefits from reductions attributed to reusable-rocket technology, while other countries may rely on foreign systems rather than domestic reusable capability.
The coverage agrees on the central point that India’s launch costs are highest in the comparison, while emphasizing different explanations: the scale/frequency of launches versus technology and reusability effects abroad.
