Abstract:
SpaceX has expanded its contract with NASA to carry out three additional Crew Dragon missions to the International Space Station before 2030. Upon completion, it will bring Elon Musk's company up to $946 million in revenue.
NASA said in a statement on Friday that the flight support contract brings SpaceX’s total number of missions under the Commercial Crew Capability contract to 17 operational flights and “helps NASA maintain access to the space station through two unique commercial crew industry partners.”
Boeing also provides NASA with flights to the International Space Station through its Starliner, which is expected to conduct unmanned flights within a few months and begin manned missions in the third quarter of 2027.
NASA said that SpaceX will provide "ground, launch, in-orbit, return and recovery operations, cargo transportation, and lifeboat capabilities during docking to the International Space Station for each mission."
SpaceX went public in June, setting a record for the largest IPO in history. The company relies on government contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense to support its core launch business. Under this contract with NASA, SpaceX will receive $5.92 billion from the space agency.
NASA and SpaceX’s Crew 13 launch is expected to take place in October, and Crew 14 is scheduled to fly next spring. In addition to its NASA missions, SpaceX is reportedly winding down its Crew Dragon program, which began crewed flights just six years ago. The company plans to use its Starship rocket, still under development, for most future launches.
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