SpaceX: Reusable vs Expendable Rockets (2011)
by Anonymous
SpaceX bet on reusable rockets when the entire industry said it was impossible. After multiple failed landings, the Falcon 9 first stage landed successfully in 2015, reducing launch costs by an order of magnitude.
Reusable First Stage
2011-2015
year
$28 million (reused) vs $62M (new)
cost per launch
Impossible — every prior attempt failed
industry consensus
Succeeded — transformed space industry
outcome
Expendable (Industry Standard)
Standard
year
$100-400 million per launch
cost per launch
Proven, reliable
industry consensus
Being replaced by reusable rockets
outcome
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