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Methodology

SE Rocket Propellant Index methodology

The SE Liquid Rocket Propellant Index (SELRPI) tracks changes in the commodity and energy input-cost environment relevant to the principal liquid-propellant combinations used in orbital launch vehicles.
The composite index comprises three propellant-specific sub-indices: SE Kerolox Index (45%), SE Methalox Index (35%) and SE Hydrolox Index (20%). The weights are fixed and are intended to reflect the relative economic exposure of the composite index to the three principal propellant families rather than the propellant mix of any individual launch vehicle.
Each sub-index combines representative market indicators for the fuel and oxidiser supply chains associated with that propellant combination. The Kerolox Index tracks liquid oxygen and kerosene-related market inputs; the Methalox Index combines liquid oxygen with natural-gas market indicators relevant to methane production; and the Hydrolox Index incorporates hydrogen, natural-gas, electricity and liquid-oxygen-related inputs relevant to liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen production.
Individual component series are converted to a common index baseline before being combined using fixed weights. The three resulting propellant indices are then aggregated according to their respective 45%, 35% and 20% weights to produce the SELRPI. This approach allows movements in underlying energy and commodity markets to be compared consistently over time despite differences in the units and price levels of the source data.
The index is updated weekly and is designed to provide an indicator of changes in the underlying cost pressures affecting liquid rocket propellant supply chains. It can therefore be used to assess trends in the economic environment surrounding kerosene/LOX, methane/LOX and hydrogen/LOX propulsion.
The SELRPI and its sub-indices do not represent assessed transaction prices for launch-grade propellants, the propellant expenditure of a particular launch vehicle, or the total cost of rocket propulsion or launch. Actual costs may differ materially according to propellant specification, production method, location, procurement arrangements, storage, transport and launch-site infrastructure.

SE Space Solar Supply Chain Cost Index methodology

The SE Space Solar Supply Chain Cost Index tracks changes in selected terrestrial manufacturing input costs relevant to photovoltaic power-generation systems used in space.
The index is benchmarked to January 2022 = 100 and comprises four weighted components: semiconductor and solar-cell manufacturing (50%), aluminium structures (25%), advanced inorganic materials (15%), and semiconductor packaging and integration (10%).
Each component represents an area of the manufacturing supply chain relevant to space photovoltaic systems. Semiconductor and solar-cell manufacturing forms the largest component, reflecting the central role of photovoltaic cells in power generation. Aluminium provides an indicator of structural-material cost pressure, while advanced inorganic materials capture specialised material inputs. Semiconductor packaging and integration provide a proxy for cost pressures associated with integrating semiconductor devices into usable power-system hardware.
Each component series is individually indexed to the January 2022 baseline and then combined using fixed weights to produce the overall index. This allows manufacturing indicators expressed in different units and price levels to be incorporated into a consistent measure of supply-chain cost change over time.
The index is updated monthly and is intended to indicate changes in the terrestrial manufacturing cost environment relevant to space solar power generation. It is a supply-chain cost-pressure indicator, rather than an estimate of the price of a solar array, spacecraft electrical power system or complete space-based solar power installation.
The underlying component series act as proxies for relevant parts of the space-solar manufacturing chain and should not be interpreted as prices for space-qualified hardware. The index also excludes launch, deployment, spacecraft operations and energy-storage costs. Consequently, movements in the index should not be interpreted as equivalent changes in the total procurement cost or levelised cost of space-based solar power.

SE EU Biomethane Assessment methodology
The SE EU Biomethane Assessment provides an indicative weekly benchmark for the value of biomethane in the European market.
It combines relevant European natural gas pricing with the additional value assessed from discussions and input from market participants. It is updated weekly to provide a consistent indication of changes in European biomethane market value.
For the space sector, the assessment provides a reference for the economics of renewable methane feedstock. Biomethane has potential relevance to methane-based rocket propulsion as the industry explores lower-carbon and renewable alternatives to fossil-derived methane.
The assessment is intended as a market indicator and should not be interpreted as a transaction price for a specific biomethane contract, location or certification pathway.