De-orbiting satellites to cost order of magnitude more than launching them

4/25/2023 - Written By Quilty Space

Recently announced prices from Kall Morris Inc. for active debris removal (ADR) services raise questions as to whether the small satellite operators can afford new de-orbit technologies. Based on the cards handed out at Space Symposium, a ~24kg satellite comes in at around $4M to return to Earth, in comparison to only $275k to launch that same satellite via SpaceX's rideshare program. Manufacturing costs for such a satellite are similarly in the hundreds of thousands, leaving disposal as a clear cost outlier for a satellite of this size. Until costs come down, it seems ADR is likely to be a luxury afforded to satellites in larger mass classes.

SOURCE: https://spacenews.com/kmi-advertises-prices-for-debris-removal/