The United Launch Alliance has launched (!) a website that lets you specify, build, and eventually launch (!!) an Atlas V rocket carrying your precious cargo. The website, aptly called Rocket Builder, says right at the top that launches start at just $109 million (£87 million)—a bargain.
Rocket Builder, while ostensibly a semi-funny marketing tool, is surprisingly full-featured. When you’ve fully configured your launch vehicle you can even submit it directly to the ULA sales office, whereupon they’ll phone you up and ask for your credit card details.
To send your payload into space the Rocket Builder website requires the following info: a launch date; a desired orbit (GTO, GEO, LEO, polar, solar, Earth escape); the weight of the payload; and a variety of “service options.” Selecting a geosynchronous orbit with a large payload seems to be the most expensive option, starting at around $155 million (those five additional solid rocket boosters don’t come cheap).
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Source: Ars Technica – You can now build, cost, and launch an Atlas V rocket from your browser