NASA Study: Why SpaceX Can Build A Rocket Cheaper Than NASA

Falcon 9 Launch Vehicle NAFCOM Cost Estimates (presentation), August 2011, NASA Associate Deputy Administrator for Policy

“The objective of the analysis was to estimate the cost to develop the Falcon 9 launch vehicle using two different approaches: 1) traditional NASA environment/culture, and 2) a more commercial development culture approach. … Results: “The activity estimated Falcon 9 would cost $3.977B based on NASA environment/culture. NAFCOM predicted $1.695B when all technical inputs were adjusted to a more commercial development approach.”