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Arianespace ≈ ULA, yes. Ariane 6 ≈ SLS, absolutely not. There is no official figure yet, but even the most pessimistic estimates place its per-launch cost at $1
by bbatsell 2y ago
Arianespace ≈ ULA, yes. Ariane 6 ≈ SLS, absolutely not. There is no official figure yet, but even the most pessimistic estimates place its per-launch cost at $150m (as opposed to $2b for SLS — with a hazy goal to eventually trim it to $500m). The rumors are that Ariane 6 is already well below $100m.
- nickff 2y agoBoth SLS and Ariane 6 are late and over-budget, with little hope of being cost-competitive sans-subsidy. Aside from that, they’re very different rockets.
- imtringued 2y agoSo you're saying it's like ULA's Vulkan. Got it.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago> Ariane 6 ≈ SLS, absolutely not. There is no official figure yet, but even the most pessimistic estimates place its per-launch cost at $150m Oh goody, just 2.5x the Falcon 9's cost. After a €140mm / launch subsidy [1]. > rumors are that Ariane 6 is already well below $100m Yes, they're asking for more subsidies. [1] https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/10/oops-it-looks-like-the-ariane-6-rocket-may-not-offer-europe-any-launch-savings/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/10/oops-it-looks-like-the...