The development of NASA’s second mobile launcher (ML-2) for the Space Launch System (SLS) may cost $2.7 billion, over five times the initial estimate, according to the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG). Contracted to Bechtel National in 2019, the ML-2 was expected by March 2023 but remains under development with escalating costs. OIG’s audit revealed NASA’s revised cost projection of $1.8 billion with a new delivery date of September 2027, though OIG believes the final cost will be higher.