{
  "id": 2852963,
  "title": "India’s satellite launch cost 4x US, says Cambridge study; space dept source disagrees",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/indias-satellite-launch-cost-4x-us-says-cambridge-study-space-dept",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-23T19:20:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-satellite-launch-cost-4x-us-says-cambridge-study-space-dept-source-contradicts-report/articleshow/133446083.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 2026 University of Cambridge study has revealed that India's per-kilogram rocket launch costs are four times greater than those in the United States, and amount to the most expensive globally. However, a Department of Space official disputes this, stating that the research failed to account for various subsidies and cost-saving measures implemented in India. The peer-reviewed study, published in the Economics Letters journal, utilized a comprehensive dataset of over 6,740 rocket launches between 1960 and 2025. It assessed the costs across 16 countries, finding that India's satellite launch cost of $13,302 per kg in 2025 was significantly higher than the US's $3,225 per kg. Other countries analyzed included the European Union, Russia, China, and Japan. Despite this, the Department of Space and IN-SPACe have implemented financial incentives, including subsidies and support schemes, to reduce launch costs for Indian entities and non-governmental organizations.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "India's per-kilogram rocket launch costs are four times higher than the US.",
    "Cambridge study found India's satellite launch cost of $13,302 per kg in 2025.",
    "Department of Space disputes the study, citing unaccounted subsidies."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}