The examination of the effects of launch cost on the economic viability of space enterprises is necessary both for evaluations of the merits of the enterprises themselves and as a guide to future launch vehicle development. Investigation of the viability of various commercial space enterprises shows that telecommunications was a viable economic activity as soon as space launch capability was available, with a break-even launch cost in excess of $10M/kg (2017$) to geosynchronous orbit. Similar thresholds are computed for space mining, space tourism, and space-based solar power. In general, these other economic activities require a reduction from current launch costs to be viable, although in the long term the introduction of fully or partially reusable launch vehicles coupled with sufficiently low repair, overhaul, and maintenance costs will make them viable as well.
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