LEO vs. L1

--- In ssi_list@... "jdr7181 "

> Can you estimate the difference in cost between launching a
satellite
> to LEO and launching one to L1? Just pick a size and define the
> variable as best you can, if possible.
>
> Jack

Consider Delta IV rocket, with a cost of $170 million. It has a GLOW
of 733,400 kg, can deliver to a 185 km orbit a payload of 24,800 kg,
and to GEO a payload of 10,843 kg.

Arianne 5, with a cost of $180 million, and a GLOW of 746,000 kg,
delivers 16,000 kg to a 407 km orbit and 6,800 kg to GEO.

A Zenit 3SL, costing $90 million, and a GLOW of 471,000 kg, lifts
5,250 kg to GEO.

Maybe the Chinese Long March rockets have good price/performance. I
don't think the Dnepr has the oomph (that's a technical term :) to
loft to GEO or L1, but that's just my WAG.

Insert your own assumptions keeping in mind that the article you
cited was referencing a situation with a payload launched from LEO
at 300 km, using a seperate rocket with LOX/LH2, tankage factors and
aerobraking calculations. The figures I quote above take the payload
directly to GEO which is more energy intensive than L1.

Good luck,

TangoMan