SLS program has currently flown once to the tune of a cool $26.4 billion. The cost per launch of the final system is expected to be roughly $2 billion.
Starship has flown 7 times for roughly $5 billion. The expected cost per launch of the final system is expected to be roughly $10 million.
I don't agree this is as cut and dry as you're laying out.
Starship hasn't even reached orbit yet even after 7 launches. When you pay bargain basement prices, you get bargain basement performance.
Both have been in development for roughly the same time (12-13 years). SLS already went around the moon, while Starship hasn't reached orbit. Starship is WAY behind schedule.
To date neither system has flown a real mission, and SLS was originally scheduled to be operational by 2016. Was there a particular schedule for Starship you had in mind?
I'm also surprised you're willing and able to wave a 50x difference in cost. Sure, SpaceX is still in a bit of a riskier position, having developed all new hardware. But with what we've seen today, are you really claiming that companies are going to be lining up to pay $2 billion for the privilege of riding Boing? Or are you just betting that Starship won't fly?
