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  Cost of Apollo in today’s dollars (analysis)

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Author Topic:   Cost of Apollo in today’s dollars (analysis)
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 43576
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-14-2019 05:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Planetary Society release
The Planetary Society Releases New Apollo Cost Analysis

The Apollo effort would cost nearly $300 billion in today's dollars

In advance of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, The Planetary Society released comprehensive new cost analysis and Apollo mission resources to better inform journalists, its members, and the public about the greatest achievement of human space exploration in history.

The United States spent $264 billion on Project Apollo when adjusted to today's dollars, according to a new analysis by Casey Dreier, The Planetary Society's Senior Space Policy Adviser. The total cost of the lunar effort grows to $288 billion when Project Gemini and the related robotic programs are included. The United States spent an average of $24 billion per year for Apollo between 1961 and 1972 — larger than NASA's entire current annual budget of $21.5 billion.

The Planetary Society has made public both the data and the methods behind this new analysis, which uses a NASA-devised inflation index on data newly reconstructed from original documents submitted to Congress by the space agency between 1960 and 1973. The Planetary Society has posted these historical documents, first digitized by NASA's historical reference collection, online with no bar to access.

In addition to new cost analysis, The Planetary Society is releasing mission summary resource pages for each Apollo mission. These mission pages collate high-quality information including per-mission costs, major event timelines, memorable photographs, and links to historical sources such as press kits, videos, and flight journals.

  • How much did the Apollo program cost?
    This page summarizes the costs of Apollo and includes beautiful charts highlighting the annual costs of major Apollo systems such as the Command and Service Module, the Lunar Module, and the Saturn V rocket.

  • Project Apollo Cost Data Set (Excel spreadsheet)
    Comprehensive Project Apollo annual cost data, non-inflation adjusted dollar amounts, program-by-program cost breakdowns, construction costs, and relative GDP adjustments are available to download as an Excel spreadsheet or to view as a Google spreadsheet.

  • Apollo Mission Pages
    Key events, images, and takeaways of every Apollo mission.

  • NASA Budget Estimates & Documentation
    A public Google Drive folder of NASA budget submissions to Congress, including every one between 1960 and 1973 and additional Apollo budget documents.

oly
Member

Posts: 971
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 06-14-2019 07:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for oly   Click Here to Email oly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Somebody should do an accurate list of the benefits and advancements that came from the Mercury. Gemini, Apollo (and Skylab) programs, what influences on technology and science can be attributed to the programs, and what effect the generation of engineers and scientists that were inspired by Apollo have had on the world. I am guessing it would equal money well spent.

Space Cadet Carl
Member

Posts: 225
From: Lake Orion, Michigan
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 06-14-2019 07:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Space Cadet Carl   Click Here to Email Space Cadet Carl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I know in my heart that it caused an entire generation of children in the 1960's to become interested in engineering and the wonders of the universe. Neil DeGrasse Tyson has often said that America needs another "Apollo" to stimulate and encourage children today. I don't know how you can attach a dollar figure to that.

Blackarrow
Member

Posts: 3160
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-14-2019 08:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Do these calculations take into account the hardware and infrastructure (VAB; crawler-transporters; the crawlerway; pads 39A and B; etc which have been in use throughout the shuttle programme and will continue to be used in the future?

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