Declining costs mean more rising rockets; launch costs key for space industrialization

Unlocking new markets, from broadband to the moon The SpaceX IPO has renewed investor interest in the rapidly evolving space economy. But to understand the opportunity that space may present requires an understanding of launch costs and to what extent they can continue to decline. US Aerospace and Defense analyst Ron Epstein explains the economics underpinning the next phase of space development. Ron discusses how advances in rockets have already reduced launch costs from roughly $20,000 per kilogram to as little as $1,000-$2,000, with the potential to fall toward $100 per kilogram. The conversation explores the hurdles to and promise of further declines in costs, the importance of reusability and how dramatically lower launch costs, if achieved, could unlock new markets-from global broadband and orbital data centers to next-generation defense, space manufacturing, and lunar resource development. We also discuss some of the unique challenges space-based data centers-launch costs matter but so do cooling solutions.   "Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.