Answer to Ian Wollard

"Clements, Robert" wrote:
Only if you use primary launch USAmerican boosters(or maybe Ariane V in
some configurations). ExSoviet ICBMS are a lot cheaper per kg; especially
the big ones like Proton.

Proton costs about $2,600/kg according to "Reducing Space Mission Cost,"Wertz and Larson.

... you won't have any strong commercial imperative to cut launch costs
until the cheaperst practical technology (currently exSoviet ICBMsfor large
satellites; piggybacks for smaller units) are pricing at 50% or moreof the
cost of the total package.
Actually, due to oversupply, we are beginning to see reductions in launchcosts. Industry developed a lot of launchers anticipating launchinghundreds of low earth orbit satellites for various communication constellations. When Iridium went bankrupt, most of that anticipated market disappeared.
Al Globus
aglobus@..., (650) 604-4404
http://www.nas.nasa.gov/~globus/home.html