News Release

July 13, 2005

Media Contact: (202) 789-5200

Shuttle Might Fly but It's Still a Money Pit
Cato analyst says experiments will be of minimal value

WASHINGTON -- NASA is launching its first space shuttle since the Columbia was destroyed in a tragic accident two and a half years ago. Edward Hudgins, a Cato Institute adjunct scholar and editor of Space: The Free-Market Frontier, says NASA might have corrected its technical problems but the shuttle continues to be a financial mess.

"Each shuttle costs between half a billion and a billion dollars to launch," says Hudgins. "Many of the experiments done on the shuttle are of minimal scientific value and could be done with non-manned vehicles. Completing the international space station is the principal reason given by NASA for continuing to fly the shuttle. The station was originally proposed in the mid-1980s as an $8 billion facility that would house a crew of twelve and be in orbit by the mid-1990s. In fact it will cost well more than $50 billion and probably closer to $100 billion, house only a crew or three and -- like the shuttle -- will be of minimal scientific value.

"The government spends $7 billion to $8 billion per year on manned space activities. This money makes humanity less likely rather than more likely to develop a space-faring civilization.

"The private launch of SpaceShipOne last year showed that entrepreneurs can do things more efficiently than can governments. The new NASA administrator has indicated an appreciation for the private sector taking over many activities in orbit. He's right; only the private sector can commercialize goods and services, that is, bring down their costs and make them accessible to all."

To arrange an interview with a Cato expert, contact the Cato media relations department at 202-789-5200 or pr@cato.org.