4 hrs ago
NASA Expands SpaceX Deal for Three More Station Missions
NASA hired SpaceX to fly astronauts to and from the space station three more times.
The new agreement is worth $946 million.
It raises SpaceX’s total NASA crew missions under the contract to 17.
The full contract is now worth $5.92 billion.
The flights are expected to continue through 2030.
SpaceX will prepare the astronauts, launch them, operate the mission, and bring them home.
Its spacecraft will also carry supplies and be available for emergencies.
NASA wants both SpaceX and Boeing to provide crew flights so a problem with one company does not stop access to the station.
NASA awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract for three additional astronaut missions to the International Space Station.
The deal raises SpaceX’s NASA crew-flight total to 17 missions and the contract’s value to $5.92 billion.
The missions are expected to extend SpaceX’s crewed station flights through 2030.
SpaceX will prepare astronauts, launch and operate missions, return crews, recover capsules, carry supplies, and provide emergency-escape coverage.
NASA continues supporting Boeing as a second crew-transportation option after problems with its 2024 Starliner test flight.
- Who
- NASA and SpaceX; Boeing remains the intended second U.S. crew-transportation provider.
- What
- NASA awarded SpaceX $946 million for three additional astronaut missions to the International Space Station, bringing the contract total to $5.92 billion and 17 missions.
- Where
- The missions will travel to and from the International Space Station.
- When
- NASA announced the award on Friday; the article was published September 19, 2026, and the expanded flights are intended to continue through 2030.
- Why
- NASA wants reliable U.S. access to the station and both SpaceX and Boeing available so a problem with one provider does not halt astronaut flights.
Key facts
- New contract award
- $946 million
- Expanded contract value
- $5.92 billion
- Total NASA crew missions
- 17
- Additional missions
- 3
- Planned coverage
- Crewed flights through 2030
- Spacecraft and rocket
- Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket
- Crew capacity
- Up to four astronauts
- Boeing test-flight outcome
- Starliner returned empty in 2024; Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned aboard SpaceX Dragon after a more than nine-month station stay
Sources
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