Digest Number 466

Actually, the Russian trade agreement expired first of this year, so I believe Russia is now technically free to charge whatever prices they like, and to launch as much as they like. However, the watchful eye of the world is still upon them, and there is an unspoken understanding (IMHO) that restrictions will return if Russia drops their pricess too much. Also, note that marketing of Proton, Soyuz and Zenith are controlled by US/French dominated companies, i.e.. ILS , Starsem and Sea-launch. Each of these companies has a western launch provider as senior partner, so they will not be dropping their prices much below western levels. It may not help the Russians to do it anyway- they need the cash. Still, their list prices undercut Ariane by about 3x. The Russian costs rather than price are amazingly low.

For the Proton- the rocket costs 6 million for more than 20 tonnes. That's $300/kg- plus launch site and launch costs plus profit(!)
I do not know what the status of the Chinese trade agreement is, right now they are under a state of total sanction, launches on Chinese rockets are prohibited right now, but I think that might be changing soon. Huh? How are they supposed to stop them? A direct attack on one of their launches could be considered attack on the country itself. I haven't noticed them not launching.
It was a bizarre agreement to be sure. The western launch companies have got it sewn up quite nicely to their advantage. Maybe the French did. Most of the American launches are too expensive. The French hold more than 50 percent of the launch market.