# NASA commercial crew program expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-commercial-crew-program-expansion > Updated: 2026-10-04T05:57:02.000Z. Sources: 79. Developments: 6. NASA is expanding its Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) program through new contracts with both Boeing and SpaceX to ensure continued access to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station (ISS). To support Boeing, NASA plans to order two additional crewed Starliner missions and provide financial assistance to address propulsion system issues. This follows the technical failures of a 2024 mission, where helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters forced two astronauts to return to Earth via a SpaceX capsule after nine months on the ISS. NASA and Boeing have established a recovery roadmap following the reclassification of the 2024 mission as a “Type A mishap”. Technical fixes will address helium system seal degradation and thruster corrosion caused by hydrazine reacting with carbon dioxide. Boeing is implementing design modifications to service module thrusters and upgrading hardware, including new batteries and redesigned parachute joints. NASA expects to invest an additional $359 million toward these upgrades and certification processes, targeting an uncrewed mission to the ISS no earlier than December 2026 or January 2027 to validate hardware improvements. If the uncrewed flight succeeds, NASA plans to launch the next crewed mission, Starliner-2, in mid-2028, commanded by astronaut Woody Hoburg. NASA is also working with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan Centaur rocket as a replacement for the retiring Atlas V fleet. Maintaining Boeing as a second provider alongside SpaceX remains a strategic priority to ensure sustained access to low Earth orbit through the 2030s. Simultaneously, NASA has awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract modification for three additional crewed missions to the ISS, designated Crew-15, Crew-16, and Crew-17. This increases the total SpaceX CCtCap contract value to $5.92 billion, bringing the total number of SpaceX missions under the contract to 17. ## Claims - NASA is targeting an uncrewed Starliner flight for no earlier than December 2026. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The next crewed mission, Starliner-2, is planned for mid-2028 with astronaut Woody Hoburg as commander. (corroborated by 21 sources) - NASA reclassified the 2024 Starliner mission as a Type A mishap, its most severe classification. (corroborated by 8 sources) - NASA is working with Boeing and United Launch Alliance to certify the Vulcan Centaur rocket for crewed missions. (corroborated by 6 sources) - NASA expects to pay an additional $359 million for Starliner upgrades and Vulcan rocket certification. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The service module thruster problem was traced to a valve poppet that requires design modifications. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Helium system seal degradation was caused by long exposure to the oxidizer. (corroborated by 3 sources) - NASA intends to exercise options for a fifth and sixth Starliner mission to the International Space Station. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-04: NASA expands SpaceX crewed mission contract by $946 million NASA expanded its SpaceX crewed mission contract by $946 million, while the company recently completed three successful flights in under 13 hours, including missions for the ISS and Google. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-expands-spacex-crewed-mission-contract-by-946-million ### 2026-09-29: NASA and Boeing announce Starliner return to crewed flight by 2028 NASA and Boeing plan an uncrewed Starliner mission in late 2024 or early 2025 to test repairs following previous technical failures, aiming for a return to crewed flights by 2028. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-and-boeing-announce-starliner-return-to-crewed-flight-by-2028 ### 2026-09-27: NASA outlines recovery plan for Boeing Starliner spacecraft NASA has unveiled a plan to return Boeing’s Starliner to service, starting with an uncrewed test flight in late 2026 and aiming for a crewed mission commanded by Woody Hoburg in mid-2028. 54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-plans-to-revive-boeing-starliner-spacecraft ### 2026-09-26: NASA awards SpaceX $946 million extension for ISS flights NASA awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract extension for three additional crewed flights to the International Space Station through 2030, bringing SpaceX’s total missions under the contract to 17. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-awards-spacex-946-million-extension-for-iss-flights ### 2026-09-17: NASA awards SpaceX $946 million for three additional space station missions NASA awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract modification for three additional crewed missions to the International Space Station, extending the partnership through 2030. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-awards-spacex-946-million-for-three-additional-space-station-missions ### 2026-09-17: NASA to support Boeing Starliner with additional missions and technical aid NASA plans to order two more Boeing Starliner missions and assist with repair costs to ensure human spaceflight capabilities as SpaceX prepares to phase out Crew Dragon by 2030. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-to-support-boeing-starliner-with-additional-missions-and-technical-aid --- Cite as: NASA commercial crew program expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-commercial-crew-program-expansion