If only there was a low cost, proven space launch company who has a flawless safety record when it comes to launching astronauts into space for NASA and private space companies. Then perhaps NASA could cancel its SLS (Space Launch System) program that is estimated to cost “$2.2 billion to build a single SLS rocket, and this does not include add-ons such as ground systems, integration, a payload, and more.”
Want an example of how SpaceX could handle space launches for NASA going forward, allowing the agency to cancel SLS and save billions of dollars a year? Here’s a little tidbit from the article:
“The cost of these four engines is $582.7 million, or $146 million per engine. This means that a single engine on NASA’s rocket costs roughly the same amount that the space agency paid for an entire mission on the Falcon Heavy rocket—$178 million for the Europa Clipper spacecraft.”
So that’s insane right? I mean, for the price of 1 SLS engine you could afford an entire SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket that is capable of launching nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lbs). From an economic perspective it seems like an easy choice if you ask me.
NASA should consider commercial alternatives to SLS, inspector general says