SpaceX, the only US-based company that carries NASA to the International Space Station (ISS), seems to remain unrivaled for a while. According to the statement made by NASA, five new astronaut flights will be added to the existing joint missions.
In its press release, NASA decided to expand its partnerships with SpaceX to a total of 14 flights. Therefore, 5 new flights have been added to the existing agreement with SpaceX. The budget for these flights is 1.44 billion dollars. The Commercial Crew Program (CCtCap) contract between SpaceX and NASA will total $4.93 billion. The ISS missions to be carried out together will extend until 2030.
NASA Artemis 1 Moon mission delayed due to engine failure
SpaceX managed to obtain the certification required for crew transportation by NASA in November 2020. Crew-4, the company’s fourth crew rotation mission for the agency, is currently orbiting the space station. As part of the missions, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket will carry four astronauts to the space station, along with high-impact cargo.
Rival Boeing is struggling
Although SpaceX is currently the only company to send astronauts to space for NASA, the agency does not want to be tied to this company alone. NASA, which also has a partnership with Boeing, aims to use the company’s Starliner capsules. On the other hand, the numerous delays experienced in Boeing’s Starliner vehicles caused the disruption of plans and programs, thus strengthening the hand of SpaceX. Boeing and NASA’s first astronaut flights are planned for 2023.
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