India's Rocket Launches Costliest Among Major Space Powers: Cambridge Study

While the global average launch cost in 2025 stood at $3,868 per kilogram, the US averaged $3,225 per kilogram, Japan $5,287, China $5,809, Russia $6,682 and Europe $9,897. India topped the list at $13,302 per kilogram.

Once highly classified in remote deserts, China's space launches have increasingly been open to public viewing as the country's ambitions accelerate in a race with the United States. Plans include a crewed moon landing by 2030 followed by a crewed mission to Mars. Vanesse Chan has more.