Key Points
- Retirement of Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon: SpaceX will retire the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft after 2030.
- NASA’s New Plan: NASA will switch to using Boeing’s Starliner for missions to the ISS.
- Payment to Boeing: NASA is allocating an additional $359 million to Boeing to rectify Starliner-related issues.
Summary of Events:
SpaceX’s Transition
SpaceX plans to phase out its Falcon 9 rocket, which has seen approximately 700 missions over its 16-year lifespan. As the company shifts focus to its next-generation Starship, it will cease Falcon 9 ISS missions after 2030 and has already halted new launch orders for Falcon 9 post-2028.
Boeing’s Starliner Role
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that Boeing’s Starliner will fill the gap left by Falcon 9. Despite past failures, including issues that resulted in astronauts being stranded on the ISS, NASA is optimistic about Starliner’s future. Plans are in place for five to seven additional flights, starting with an uncrewed test flight in late 2026 or early 2027.
Financial Implications for Boeing
NASA has invested over $5.1 billion in Starliner, with an extra $359 million now to support the spacecraft’s development. This could help recover Boeing’s financial standing after incurring losses on the Starliner program, positioning it well as it looks to the future in crewed spaceflight.
Considerations for Investors:
- Although Boeing has potential in the evolving landscape of space technology, recent evaluations suggest that it may not be among the current top investment picks.
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