NASA intends to extend ISS cargo contracts of 3 space companies including SpaceX

NASA is planning to extend three of its existing contracts for moving cargo to and from International Space Station (ISS), a procurement notice issued on March 2 has revealed. In notice, government agency said that it aims to issue sole-source extensions of its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) 2 contracts with three aerospace firms, namely, SpaceX, Sierra Space, and Northrop Grumman.

In 2013, trio was given CRS-2 contracts to deliver cargo as an upgre of original CRS contracts to SpaceX and Orbital Sciences, which is now part of Northrop. Procurement databases show that NASA has obligated about $2.2 billion to date to Northrop, $2.35 billion to SpaceX, and $1.1 billion to Sierra Space. 

According to Space News, extensions will help cover missions that are slated to take place between January 2027 and December 2030. In notice, NASA said that it "is contemplating a sole source extension to continue to acquire se services from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2030."

" supplies to be delivered by terms of contract include air, water, food, clothing, medicine, spare parts, and scientific experiments for use in U.S. and International Partner experimental modules," res an excerpt from notice. 

NASA gives deline to companies willing to give alternative cargo vehicles

It is unclear why NASA decided to extend contracts inste of recompeting m. With notice, companies proposing to give alternative cargo vehicles have been given deline of March 17 to provide NASA with ir performance data so that agency can decide if it wants to roll out extensions or have an open competition.

previous contract ensured that each company was given at least six space missions, or more, as per NASA's willingness. Earlier in 2022, NASA said that it h approved six more missions for both Northrop and SpaceX, thus making ir total missions 14 and 15, respectively.