Artemis II Moon mission costs ₹3.72 lakh crore: Who pays?
What's the story
NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, is a major step toward future deep space exploration. The mission, which launched earlier today, is taking four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—on a 10-day journey around the Moon before returning to Earth. It aims to test critical systems required for upcoming lunar landings and pave the way for future deep-space travel.
Financial breakdown
Each Artemis launch costs over $4 billion
While the exact public price for Artemis II is not available, government audits estimate that each Artemis launch costs over $4 billion (upwards of ₹3.72 lakh crore). This includes the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which is not reusable, and the Orion spacecraft, which carries the crew and returns to Earth. The total cost of NASA's broader Artemis program, which has been in development for over a decade, is estimated to be around $93 billion through 2025.
Financial support
Who funds the mission?
The primary funding for the Artemis program comes from the US government. NASA's budget, which is approved by Congress, funds the development, testing, and execution of missions like Artemis II. This means American taxpayers are the main contributors to this ambitious space exploration effort. Private aerospace companies such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin also play a major role in building key parts of the mission through government contracts.
Global contribution
Is it an international effort?
The Artemis program is not just a US effort but also involves international cooperation. Space agencies from Canada, Europe and Japan are contributing technology, crew members and future components. For instance, Artemis II includes Canadian astronaut Hansen as part of this global collaboration. However, these contributions are smaller compared to the funding provided by the US government.