ISS annual costs - why so high?

[Seer]

Does anyone know why the running costs of the ISS are so high?

It costs roughly the same amount as the Shuttle program or $3 billion a year.

Can anyone provide a cost breakdown for the ISS in a similiar manner to the Shuttle program? I.e, the Shuttle has costs for the ET, SRB, Orbiter, GSE, Payload processing, etc.

Thanks.

[tigerade]

Good question.  I don't have an answer, but I'd also like add on to it.  How are the costs of the program split up between the participating nations?  I imagine the U.S. and Russia pay most of it.

[alexterrell]

and the split between operating costs and enhancement costs, please.

If 3 billion is the cost to maintain six people in space, the breakdown needs to be understood.

[kkattula]

IIRC, most of JSC operating costs are bundled under ISS. Also some of MSFC.  It's mostly an accounting thing. Actual ISS Operations are pretty lean.