---
title: "How much does a Space Shuttle cost?"
description: "A Space Shuttle costs 1,600,000,000 $. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/cost/space-shuttle/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How much does a Space Shuttle cost?

**Typical cost: 1,600,000,000 $**

The reusable NASA orbiter flown on 135 missions between 1981 and 2011.

> Average cost per launch across the programme, in 2011 dollars.

## How that compares

*Space Shuttle against things of a similar money.*

- Hubble Space Telescope: 4,700,000,000 $
- One World Trade Center: 3,900,000,000 $
- Shanghai Tower: 2,400,000,000 $
- Cruise ship: 2,000,000,000 $
- Nuclear submarine: 2,000,000,000 $
- Space Shuttle: 1,600,000,000 $
- Burj Khalifa: 1,500,000,000 $
- Saturn V: 1,230,000,000 $

## How to read this figure

This is a typical purchase price, not a quote. Actual prices move with specification, brand and where you buy.

> Prices are in US dollars and are indicative only. They date faster than anything else on this site — treat them as an order of magnitude. Installation, delivery and tax are excluded unless the note above says otherwise.

## More about a Space Shuttle

- [How much does a Space Shuttle weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/space-shuttle/) — 78–2,030 t
- [Space Shuttle vs Boeing 737](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-737-vs-space-shuttle/) — Side by side
- [Space Shuttle vs Train carriage](https://atoneplace.net/vs/space-shuttle-vs-train-carriage/) — Side by side
- [Space Shuttle vs International Space Station](https://atoneplace.net/vs/international-space-station-vs-space-shuttle/) — Side by side
- [Space Shuttle vs Boeing 747](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-747-vs-space-shuttle/) — Side by side
- [Space Shuttle vs Airbus A380](https://atoneplace.net/vs/airbus-a380-vs-space-shuttle/) — Side by side
- [Space Shuttle vs Saturn V](https://atoneplace.net/vs/saturn-v-vs-space-shuttle/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How much does a Space Shuttle cost?

A Space Shuttle costs 1,600,000,000 $. Average cost per launch across the programme, in 2011 dollars.

## Related pages

- [How much does a Space Shuttle weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/space-shuttle/)
- [How much does a Boeing 747 cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/boeing-747/)
- [How much does a Saturn V cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/saturn-v/)
- [How much does a International Space Station cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/international-space-station/)
- [How much does a aircraft carrier cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/aircraft-carrier/)
- [How much does a Airbus A380 cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/airbus-a380/)
- [How much does a Hubble Space Telescope cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/hubble-space-telescope/)
- [How much does a cruise ship cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/cruise-ship/)
- [How much does a Boeing 737 cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/boeing-737/)
- [How much does a Falcon 9 cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/falcon-9/)
- [How much does a shipping container cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/shipping-container/)
- [Space Shuttle vs Boeing 737](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-737-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Space Shuttle vs Train carriage](https://atoneplace.net/vs/space-shuttle-vs-train-carriage/)
- [Space Shuttle vs International Space Station](https://atoneplace.net/vs/international-space-station-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Space Shuttle vs Boeing 747](https://atoneplace.net/vs/boeing-747-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Space Shuttle vs Airbus A380](https://atoneplace.net/vs/airbus-a380-vs-space-shuttle/)
- [Space Shuttle vs Saturn V](https://atoneplace.net/vs/saturn-v-vs-space-shuttle/)

## Sources

- NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration (https://www.nasa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]