Why was the space shuttle, which made its first journey in 1981, cheaper than the original spacecraft?

Question

Why was the space shuttle, which made its first journey in 1981, cheaper than the original spacecraft?

Answer 1

It could be reused.

Answer 2

I think the common answers to this queston are that (1) the Shuttle is re-usable and (2) the US already had much of the materials science and rocket experience from the previous Apollo missions.

It's a little more complicated than this.

- The shuttle works much better as a science experiment platform than as a heavy-lift body for large high-orbit satellites. It's mission and capabilities can't really be compared to typical boosters like Atlas or Saturn V.

- I don't think there's a clear accounting of the "true" cost to build a shuttle or launch a shuttle mission, given that there are costs and expenses that aren't always reflected in the cost structure released by NASA. Gov't agnecies don't have the same cost accounting requirement that US commercial companies do, so the accounting may be a little fuzzy and unrealistic.

- The shuttle is really a LEO (low-earth orbit) orbiter. As such, it's at the low end of typical rocket booster performance. It also isn't very useful for many commercial satellites, as they can require higher orbits.

- There are cheaper ways to put payloads into orbit. Atlas rockets can be flown cheaper. The Chinese and Russians are about 1/4 the price of shuttle missions.

Answer 3

A lot of research and study had been already done. All that knowledge resulted in better materials and fewer trials.

Answer 4

reusability. Except for the large Cryo propellant tank-the large tank u see- may be orange coloured- all other parts are reusable( of course not the propellants)

Answer 5

SIMPLE, IT WAS RE-USABLE. THE OTHERS BEFORE IT WERE ONE TIME FLIGHT AIRCRAFT.