&gt; Military satellites often cost a few billion.<p>Wouldn&#x27;t it be more accurate to say the <i>plans</i> for a military satellite cost a few billion?<p>I would assume stamping out a new copy when you have the plans costs just a few tens of millions.<p>I mean, if you wanted one Airbus A380, it would cost you 15 billion dollars.  But once you have the plans, you can stamp out additional copies for 100 million or so.