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According to wikipedia [1], the marginal cost of a SpaceX Raptor engine was $1m in 2019 and is targed to eventually be only $250k. Could anyone with more inform
by spuz 6y ago
According to wikipedia [1], the marginal cost of a SpaceX Raptor engine was $1m in 2019 and is targed to eventually be only $250k. Could anyone with more information explain why there is such a large cost discrepancy between the SpaceX and NASA engines?
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Raptor#Description https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Raptor#Description
- onethought 6y agoI believe it’s because spaceX is vertically integrated into all things rockets. They are literally buying raw materials and outputting working rockets. I don’t think NASA and their many suppliers and their many suppliers can get the same level of cost efficiency
- bryanlarsen 6y agoThe price difference is similar to the price difference between a bespoke hand-built car and a car built on an assembly line. And for similar reasons.