Key facts
- NASA awarded SpaceX an additional $946 million contract for three more astronaut missions.
- SpaceX's crewed flights to the International Space Station will now extend through 2030.
- The total value of SpaceX's contract with NASA has increased to $5.92 billion.
- SpaceX will now conduct a total of 17 NASA astronaut flights under the contract.
- The contract covers astronaut preparation, launch, mission operations, and capsule recovery.
- Boeing's Starliner capsule experienced issues on its 2024 crewed test flight.
NASA announced on Friday that it had awarded SpaceX an additional $946 million contract to conduct three more astronaut missions to the International Space Station, extending the company's crewed flights through 2030. This latest deal increases the total value of SpaceX's contract with NASA to $5.92 billion and brings the total number of astronaut flights to 17.
NASA relies heavily on SpaceX for transporting astronauts to and from the space station, while simultaneously working to maintain a second option through Boeing. The contract encompasses all aspects of the missions, including astronaut and spacecraft preparation, launch, in-space operations, crew return, and capsule recovery. It also includes provisions for carrying supplies and serving as an emergency escape vehicle.
Both SpaceX and Boeing were selected by NASA in 2014 to develop spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to the station, aiming to restore a domestic launch capability after the retirement of the space shuttle and reduce reliance on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. However, Boeing's Starliner faced issues during its 2024 crewed test flight, leading to astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returning on a SpaceX Dragon capsule after an extended stay.
SpaceX's system received NASA approval in November 2020, and the company has since become NASA's primary provider for crew rotations, utilizing its Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket to transport up to four astronauts and supplies. NASA's strategy involves having both SpaceX and Boeing operational to ensure continuous astronaut access to the station, mitigating risks associated with potential technical problems or accidents affecting a single provider.