Elon Musk aims to reduce the cost of delivering cargo to orbit to $100 per kilogram. This target represents a significant decrease from the $18,500 per kilogram cost recorded by NASA in 2010.
The current Falcon 9 rocket design allows for partial reusability, as only the first stage is recovered. Musk noted that the expendable upper stage costs as much as a medium-haul passenger aircraft, which limits overall efficiency.
To achieve lower costs, SpaceX is developing the Starship system, which includes the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft. This system is designed for full reusability, mirroring the operational model of the aviation industry.
Musk plans to launch Super Heavy boosters at one-hour intervals to increase flight frequency. The company has previously stated its ambition to transport up to 10 million tons of cargo into orbit annually using the Starship platform.
