"The Space Shuttle had cost considerations (obviously, not great ones!)." It absolutely did, and great ones too. The program was too costly and never lived up

"The Space Shuttle had cost considerations (obviously, not great ones!)." It absolutely did, and great ones too. The program was too costly and never lived up to the original expectations of fast and easy access to orbit. Falcon 9 + Dragon is the first American human-rated launcher and ship that can be labeled as somewhat cost effective.