Most Expensive Space Missions

The most expensive missions ever launched into space.

Space Shuttle Program

$209 Billion

US reusable spacecraft program that flew over 130 missions between 1981 and 2011.

$150 Billion

Largest space station in orbit, built by multiple nations and continuously crewed since 2000.

$110 Billion

Historic NASA lunar missions culminating in six moon landings from 1969 to 1972.

$23 Billion

NASA's flagship deep-space rocket and capsule system under development for lunar missions.

$16 Billion

Orbiting observatory launched in 1990, responsible for major astronomical discoveries.

$15.7 Billion

Russian global satellite navigation system similar to GPS, developed since 1982.

$12 Billion

US Global Positioning System providing worldwide positioning and timing services.

$10 Billion

Infrared space observatory launched in 2021, successor to Hubble.

$9 Billion

Soviet space station launched in 1977, significant long-duration research missions.

$1.6 Billion

European Union satellite navigation system complementing GPS and GLONASS.