- SpaceX has secured a NASA contract modification worth $946 million
- Three Crew Dragon missions are added through 2030
- SpaceX’s total CCtCap contract value now stands at $5.92 billion
SpaceX has secured a potential $946 million contract modification from NASA to conduct three additional crew rotation missions to the International Space Station under the agency’s Commercial Crew Transportation Capability, or CCtCap, contract.
What Is the Scope of the Contract Modification?
NASA said Friday the award covers Crew-15, Crew-16 and Crew-17, bringing SpaceX’s total number of missions under the CCtCap contract to 17. The agency stated the added flights will help maintain space station access alongside its second commercial crew provider.
Structured as a firm fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award, the $946 million value covers all three flights and related mission services, including ground, launch, in-orbit, and return and recovery operations; cargo transportation; and a lifeboat capability while a spacecraft remains docked to the station.
The period of performance runs through 2030, with mission readiness dates in 2027 and 2028. NASA noted the award follows a notice of intent issued in May and that the sole-source approach does not preclude further contract modifications for transportation services if needed.
With this latest action, SpaceX’s total CCtCap contract value with NASA reaches $5.92 billion.
How Has SpaceX’s Role Under CCtCap Grown?
In 2014, NASA awarded CCtCap contracts to Boeing and SpaceX through a public-private partnership under the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The contract requires NASA to certify that a provider’s space transportation system meets agency requirements before it can fly missions with astronauts aboard.
SpaceX received its crew transportation certification from NASA in November 2020. Under CCtCap, the company’s Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket carry up to four astronauts, along with cargo, to the space station on each mission. The company’s 12th rotation flight for NASA, Crew-12, is currently in orbit and docked to the station.
In 2022, SpaceX secured a potential eight-year, $1.4 billion contract modification to perform five additional ISS crew missions for NASA.
How Does the Award Align With SpaceX’s NASA & National Security Work?
The latest contract modification comes alongside other recent NASA and national security awards for SpaceX. The company also holds a separate $843 million contract to build the ISS deorbit vehicle, with the vehicle’s mission tied to the station’s retirement around 2030.
Beyond NASA, SpaceX has picked up work in the national security space sector. The company secured a $57 million Space Systems Command contract for Link-182 space communications. It is also reportedly in talks with the Department of War to provide data center capacity for AI computing.
