{"id":19117,"date":"2017-01-04T00:06:48","date_gmt":"2017-01-03T16:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/boeing-and-spacex-win-four-more-nasa-orders-for-space-taxis-with-one-big-if\/"},"modified":"2017-01-04T00:06:48","modified_gmt":"2017-01-03T16:06:48","slug":"boeing-and-spacex-win-four-more-nasa-orders-for-space-taxis-with-one-big-if","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/boeing-and-spacex-win-four-more-nasa-orders-for-space-taxis-with-one-big-if\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing and SpaceX win four more NASA orders for space taxis, with one big \u2018if\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Starliner\"
An artist\u2019s conception shows a straight-on view of Boeing\u2019s CST-100 Starliner space taxi. (Boeing \/ NASA Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NASA has awarded four more contracts to Boeing and to SpaceX for space taxi trips to and from the International Space Station \u2013 dependent on certification that the spacecraft are safe.<\/p>\n

SpaceX is working on a crew-capable version of its Dragon capsule for NASA\u2019s use, while Boeing is developing a capsule known as the CST-100 Starliner. Each company has already been given contracts for two flights; the contracts announced today brings the total trips to six for each.<\/p>\n

The space taxis haven\u2019t yet been tested in flight. SpaceX has scheduled an uncrewed demonstration flight of its Crew Dragon to the space station in November, followed by a crewed flight test in May 2018. Boeing\u2019s schedule calls for an uncrewed flight in June 2018 and a crewed flight test in August 2018.<\/p>\n

\"Dragon
An artist\u2019s conception shows SpaceX\u2019s crew-capable Dragon approaching a port on the International Space Station with a cargo Dragon in the foreground. (NASA Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The demonstrations are covered under $6.8 billion in development contracts that NASA awarded in 2014. The 12 flights covered by the follow-up contracts would go ahead once the test flights are flown and NASA certifies the taxis.<\/p>\n

The post-certification contract awards do not require NASA to make any payments at this time, but they do provide Boeing and SpaceX with commitments that will help them plan for future needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAwarding these missions now will provide greater stability for the future space station crew rotation schedule, as well as reduce schedule and financial uncertainty for our providers,\u201d Phil McAlister, director of NASA\u2019s Commercial Spaceflight Development Division, said in a news release. \u201cThe ability to turn on missions as needed to meet the needs of the space station program is an important aspect of the Commercial Crew Program.\u201d<\/p>\n