Launch structure is the cost per launch of building the structure for a stage of the spacecraft. This does not include the cost of storage, moving the craft to the launch pad, flight checking it etc.. this is only the cost per launch for its delivery. Spacecraft are expensive, reusability is the single most important factor in determining the cost per launch and a highly reusable spacecraft is the only way of delivering low cost access to space. Launch structure price ranges from ten dollars for a reusable low performance pressure fed seven kilogram model to five hundred million for a high performance expendable pumped Saturn V class craft. Given initial structure and reusability, launch structure cost is calculated which is in turn used to calculate total launch structure.

launch structure = initial structure / reusability

total launch structure ( second stage ) = launch structure ( first stage ) + launch structure ( second stage )

total launch structure ( third stage ) = total launch structure ( second stage ) + launch structure ( third stage )
 

This is used in spacecraft cost.
 
 

Feedback   Free Electronic Nation Home    Spacecraft   GNU Free Documentation License