Press The era of Space Shuttle missions led to construction of the ISS and made space flight much more accessible. More than 130 Shuttle missions were flown, but the program never met NASA’s optimistic expectations of 50 flights per year and individual launches ended up costing an average of $450 million.
Musk estimates that when the Falcon 9 incorporates technology to make its second stage rocket reusable, alongside the first stage and its Dragon capsule, launches will become 100 times cheaper.
By making all of its rocket stages reusable the company is also preparing for its next phase – the Super Heavy Rocket and Starship – that will enable interplanetary transport and a mission to Mars.
