New research published in Economics Letters analyzes over 6,700 launches from 1960–2025, revealing how SpaceX's Falcon 9 and its reusable booster program have dramatically reshaped the global launch market. The data shows the U.S. has more than doubled Russia's total payloads to orbit since 1990, while Europe faces a difficult position with few competitive alternatives.
Background
SpaceX's Falcon 9 has become the workhorse of the global launch market, accounting for over three-quarters of all mass launched into orbit, largely due to its reusable booster technology and high flight cadence. Europe's Ariane program has struggled to match this pace and cost efficiency, leaving the continent vulnerable in the commercial space sector.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Aug 15, 2026 at 12:29 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10