Currently, many enthusiasts, for example, Ilon Mask, are eager to reduce the cost of global space projects. However, they still remain one of the most expensive.
The Space Shuttle Program
This program takes the first pace in the list of most expensive space projects with a budget of $209 billion. Its goal is the development of space shuttles. The program involved North American Rockwell and a group of contractors commissioned by the space agency NASA (USA). Shutle's development and design were carried out within the framework of the joint program of NASA and the Air Force. In total, five shuttles and one prototype were built.
The International Space Station (ISS)
The second place in this rating with a budget of $160 billion is occupied by the International Space Station (ISS). This research orbital station is a multipurpose space complex. ISS is a joint international project involving 14 countries: the USA, Russia, Japan, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, France and Switzerland.
The Apollo Program
The third position in the list of the most expensive space projects is given to the Apollo program with a budget of $25.4 billion. It implied the development of manned space flights controlled by NASA. The program was adopted in 1961, and completed in 1975.
The Global Positioning System (GPS)
The Global Positioning System (GPS) takes the fourth place in the rating of the most expensive space project. The government has spent over $12 billion dollars to this program. The goal of the project is to measure distance, time and positioning in the WGS 84 world coordinate system. This system is developed and used by the US Department of Defense, but is also available for civilian purposes.
The James Webb Space Telescope
The development of the James Webb space telescope with the cost of $8.8 billion is on the fifth place of the rating. It is an orbital infrared observatory that can replace the Hubble Space Telescope in the future. The project is the result of international cooperation of 17 countries that are headed by NASA. According to the plan, the telescope will be launched via the Ariane-5 missile in 2020. At this time, the scientific research will begin.
The Galileo Satellite Navigation System
The sixth place in the rating goes to the Galileo project with the budget of $6.3 billion. This is a satellite navigation system developed by the European Union and the European Space Agency, the part of the Trans-European Networks transport project. It is designed to solve geodetic and navigational tasks. The project is also supplemented with the NAVSTAR GPS system of the third generation
The GLONASS
The GLONASS program closes the top 7 large funded space projects with a budget of $4.7 billion. This is the Russian satellite navigation system, one of the leading in the country. The basis of the system is 24 satellites moving above the Earth's surface in three orbital planes. The development of the GLONASS project is carried out by Roskosmos, JSC Information Satellite Systems named after Academician MF Reshetnev and JSC Russian Space Systems.
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