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Space Launches

Updated: Oct 24, 2026

Seven decades of orbital spaceflight: payload mass delivered to orbit by nation, launch economics ($/kg), and reliability trends.

Tags:GlobalSpaceLaunches
Orbital Payload Capacity (LEO/SSO)

Orbital Payload Capacity (LEO/SSO)

Average Payload per Launch by Decade (LEO/SSO)

Average Payload per Launch by Decade (LEO/SSO)

Launch Cost to Orbit by Decade (LEO/SSO, 2021 USD)

Launch Cost to Orbit by Decade (LEO/SSO, 2021 USD)

Orbital Launch Failure Rate by Decade

Orbital Launch Failure Rate by Decade

Best Average Cost (1980s)
$6,476/kg
Cost Reduction (1950s: $170,942/kg → 1980s: $6,476/kg)
26.4×
Lowest Cost (Russia, 1980s)
$3,589/kg
Launch Cost to Orbit by Decade (LEO/SSO, 2021 USD)

Launch Cost to Orbit by Decade (LEO/SSO, 2021 USD)

Sources:
CSIS Aerospace Security Project & BryceTechThe Space Devs — Launch Library 2 API