De-orbiting satellites to cost order of magnitude more than launching them

Recently announced prices from Kall Morris Inc. for active debris removal (ADR) services raise questions as to whether the small satellite operators can afford new de-orbit technologies. Based on the cards handed out at Space Symposium, a ~24kg satellite comes in at around $4M to return to Earth, in comparison to only $275k to launch that same satellite via SpaceX's rideshare program. Manufacturing costs for such a satellite are similarly in the hundreds of thousands, leaving disposal as a clear cost outlier for a satellite of this size. Until costs come down, it seems ADR is likely to be a luxury afforded to satellites in larger mass classes.

SOURCE: https://spacenews.com/kmi-advertises-prices-for-debris-removal/