NASA Awards SpaceX $946 Million for More Astronaut Missions

NASA has awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract covering three additional astronaut missions to be flown through 2030, according to a report from Teslarati. The new award extends SpaceX's role as a primary transporter of NASA crews to and from the International Space Station, reinforcing the company's position as the agency's go-to provider for human spaceflight in the years ahead.

Extending a Proven Partnership

The contract builds on SpaceX's existing Commercial Crew Program work, under which its Crew Dragon spacecraft has already ferried numerous NASA astronauts to orbit. By locking in three more missions through the end of the decade, NASA is signaling continued confidence in SpaceX's flight-proven hardware and operational track record as it plans its astronaut rotation schedule well into the future.

Boeing Starliner Still Grounded

The timing of the award comes as Boeing's Starliner capsule, NASA's other contracted crew vehicle under the Commercial Crew Program, remains grounded. Teslarati's report notes that Starliner's continued absence from active rotation leaves SpaceX as NASA's dependable option for maintaining a steady cadence of crew launches to the ISS, underscoring the gap between the two competing spacecraft programs.

For NASA, the arrangement provides operational continuity and reduces schedule risk tied to the ISS crew rotation plan. For SpaceX, the deal adds substantial contracted revenue and further cements Crew Dragon's role as the backbone of America's human spaceflight capability, at least until Starliner returns to active service. The report did not specify additional financial or technical details beyond the contract value and mission count.

Source: Teslarati