11. How much does a Space Shuttle cost? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

The Space Shuttle program cost about 33 billion dollars through the end of the development flight tests, after which it was declared operational. This included design, development, test, and evaluation of the orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket boosters. It also included five orbiters and several external tanks and solid rocket boosters. Operational costs are about $500 million for each Shuttle mission. (Ref 2.)

Ref 2.http://www.space.com/news/shuttle_cost_050211.html

Answer provided by Jon H. Brown

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer