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What NASA buys—and what companies provide
Commercial Crew is a transportation-service partnership, not a NASA spacecraft procurement in which the agency owns the vehicles. NASA defines the requirements for carrying astronauts, retains technical insight and oversight, and certifies systems for NASA crew flights. Providers choose their designs, build and operate their spacecraft and associated infrastructure, and complete contract milestones.
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NASA describes the contracts as fixed-price service agreements. Its FY 2027 budget request says payments are made after successful completion of contract milestones. This differs from NASA’s older model, in which the agency owned the hardware and infrastructure and closely oversaw development and operations. NASA says the commercial approach lets providers focus on low-Earth-orbit transportation while the agency directs resources toward deep-space exploration; that is NASA’s stated rationale, not an independently measured productivity or cost result. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program overview and its FY 2027 budget request describe the arrangement.
Which private spacecraft are part of the program?
SpaceX Crew Dragon and Falcon 9
Crew Dragon is an autonomous spacecraft launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9. NASA says the spacecraft can carry up to seven passengers, though NASA missions carry up to four crew members. Crew aboard can monitor and control the vehicle, working alongside SpaceX mission control. NASA certified the Crew Dragon system in 2020, and it performs regular ISS crew-rotation missions. NASA’s Office of Inspector General reported 12 crewed missions since certification in its June 30, 2026 report; that count is specific to the report date. NASA’s spacecraft page and the OIG report provide those details.
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Boeing CST-100 Starliner
Starliner is Boeing’s autonomous commercial crew spacecraft, but it is not yet certified for NASA astronaut transportation. NASA’s OIG said in June 2026 that the spacecraft remained uncertified after three flight tests exposed significant issues with varying levels of mission risk. NASA’s FY 2027 budget request describes Starliner-1 as a planned cargo flight intended to validate upgrades made after the June 2024 Crew Flight Test; certification work remains afterward.
For a NASA crew mission, Starliner is intended to carry up to four NASA-sponsored crew members and about 220 pounds of critical supplies, hardware and scientific research. Its Crew Flight Test launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V in June 2024. NASA says propulsion anomalies extended the planned 8–14-day mission to 93 days on orbit, and its investigation report detailed 61 corrective recommendations for future crewed Starliner missions. Those figures are NASA’s descriptions in its program overview; the test flight did not by itself certify the system. See also NASA’s Commercial Crew press kit and OIG report.
How NASA certification works
Private ownership does not mean a company can certify its own spacecraft for NASA astronaut flights. Certification evaluates whether the integrated crew transportation system satisfies NASA’s safety and performance requirements. NASA’s review includes flight-test data, hardware and software requirements, design and construction standards, engineering and management processes, and performance in a flight environment, as described in the NASA press kit.
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- Watch It Launch Before Your Eyes: This 3D puzzle isn't just a static model. Touch the sensor button to trigger a full vertical launch sequence: the track slowly lifts the shuttle into launch position, three-axis mechanical arms rotate 90° into closed position, and the rocket ignites with real flame effects. A mesmerizing, fully automated space launch you build yourself
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Certification therefore applies to the whole transportation system, not just the capsule: the spacecraft, launch vehicle, operating processes and supporting elements must meet the applicable requirements together. NASA certified SpaceX after evaluating uncrewed and crewed flight-test evidence. Starliner’s continuing certification work shows why completing flight tests, or being selected as a provider, does not automatically qualify a system for operational crew service. NASA’s FY 2027 budget request describes the remaining Starliner certification requirement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How contracts and mission counts change
Contract totals and mission allocations are time-sensitive and should not be confused with a per-flight price. On September 18, 2026, NASA announced a modification adding Crew-15, Crew-16 and Crew-17, bringing the total number of SpaceX missions under its Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract to 17. NASA valued that three-mission modification at $946 million and said the total SpaceX CCtCap contract value became $5.92 billion. The modification covers ground, launch, in-orbit, return and recovery operations, mission cargo, and docked lifeboat capability; these contract values are not costs per flight or per astronaut. NASA’s September 18 announcement gives the figures and scope.
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NASA’s FY 2027 budget request also distinguishes contract oversight from funding the missions themselves: the Crew and Cargo Program funds missions, while Commercial Crew manages CCtCap contracts and contractor oversight. The roles are related but not interchangeable.
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