The $445M number doesn't count the total cost of the program, which put each Shuttle launch at ~ $1.5 billion. Average cost of a SpaceX resupply is $152 millio

The $445M number doesn't count the total cost of the program, which put each Shuttle launch at ~ $1.5 billion. Average cost of a SpaceX resupply is $152 million. That's the total amount the US government pays per mission. You couldn't send the shuttle up with 10% of the cargo capacity and only pay 10% of the cost. The Shuttle was $1.5 billion whether it was 16,000 kg to the ISS or 2,000 kg. Nor could you just use it to send two people to the ISS and only pay $170 million for two seats (Really $400 million - the actual cost for two seats.)