Elon, is that you ?!? The space programs are not annual programs. Let's check with Wikepedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_of_NASA https://en.wikipedia

Elon, is that you ?!? The space programs are not annual programs. Let's check with Wikepedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_of_NASA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_of_NASA In the recent years, the NASA budget is around 0.5% of the Federal Budget. So it's not a "rounding error". "In 1973, NASA submitted congressional testimony reporting the total cost of Project Apollo as $25.4 billion (about $158 billion in 2020 dollars).[21]" The reference #35 indicate that the Shuttle program amounted to 206 billions. => If Apollo has cost 160 billions, the Shuttles 206, how much a permanent base on the Moon will it cost? I don't know, but certainly "hundred of millions". The Artemis program to just go back to the moon plans a 35 billion budget, but no base, just to repeat Apollo. I love space projects ; I prefer them useful with a good return of investments. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_program