Electromagnetic Space Launch Infrastructure – A Techno-Economic Analysis

Space access infrastructure can now outperform rockets on levelized cost per kilogram. The architecture with the lowest technology adaptation degree of difficulty in the field of electromagnetics is shown to be the Tethered Ring. A Tethered Ring is a dynamic structure that can be built on Earth and raised into the stratosphere without a pre-existing space infrastructure, a space-based industry, or any need for expensive rocket launch services. It can support facilities (for example, launch systems, transit systems, communications gear, and habitable spaces) at an altitude of 32km and at an estimated capital cost of under ${\$}110$ per kg supported.