cost estimate into smaller chunks. The development of the Starship itself is estimated to be around $50 billion, while the Raptor engine development costs a whopping $20 billion. And if you thought that was a lot, the launch pad and ground support systems will set you back another $10 billion!
But here's the thing: the cost of Starship isn't just about the initial investment. The operational costs of launching the spacecraft will be significantly lower than traditional rockets, thanks to its reusability feature. In fact, Musk estimates that the cost of launching Starship will be as low as $2 million per launch, which is a fraction of the cost of traditional rockets.
The Future of Space, Part I: The Setup - by Max Olson
So, what do you get for your $200 billion? Well, for starters, you get a spaceship that can carry 100 people to the moon or Mars, which is like a luxury cruise to space! You also get the potential for lunar and Mars colonization, which is a pretty cool consolation prize. And let's not forget the scientific discoveries and technological advancements that will come out of this project.
