The Artemis program could cost more than $100 billion by 2028. One launch alone cost $4.1 billion. So is space exploration a smart investment or just an expensive dream?

In this episode of Business Casual, the team breaks down the real cost of NASA’s Artemis program, how much taxpayers are actually contributing, and whether the potential benefits justify the massive price tag.

They dive into the April 1, 2026 Artemis II launch, NASA’s surprisingly small share of the federal budget, the differences between NASA and private companies like SpaceX, and the long-term possibilities of space exploration.

The conversation also explores:

• Why the Artemis program is expected to exceed $100 billion

• How much each launch costs and what goes into it

• NASA’s budget compared to the overall federal budget

• Whether space exploration should be viewed as a cost or an investment

• How NASA compares to private companies like SpaceX

• The possibility of discovering valuable materials beyond Earth

• Why astronauts, engineers, and space technology are so expensive

• The potential impact of space travel on jobs, innovation, and the future

NASA’s Artemis program is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2028, with individual launches averaging around $4.1 billion. Despite the massive numbers, NASA receives less than half a percent of the federal budget, or less than half a penny of every taxpayer dollar.

The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026, sending astronauts on a historic 10-day trip around the moon and marking the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years.

Whether you think space exploration is a necessity, a waste of money, or somewhere in between, this episode will make you think differently about the future of space travel and where your tax dollars are going.

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Produced by Kelsey Kerestes

Edited by Troy Davis

Full episodes available on Apple Podcasts & YouTube too.

Chapters: 00:37 – Intro and framing Artemis program costs
01:16 – Total projected Artemis budget through 2028
03:25 – Debate on taxpayer funding for space
05:57 – Why rockets and spacecraft are expensive
07:03 – Space engineer salaries and high‑skill jobs
11:19 – Childhood launches and Cape Canaveral memories
13:59 – Tech progress, moon‑landing doubts, expectations
17:54 – Spacesuits and $20–30M space toilets
30:47 – NASA’s tiny share of federal budget
32:40 – Is space exploration cost or investment?