Cargo Resupply Service-2 Contract 2030 Extension

The CRS-2 contracts provide the International Space Station (ISS) delivery of pressurized and unpressurized cargo, return and disposal of pressurized cargo, disposal of unpressurized cargo, special tasks and studies, and ground support services for the end-to-end cargo resupply services. The effort under the CRS-2 Contracts includes complex spaceflight operations that are subject to significant risks. Ensuring safe and reliable U.S. access to the ISS is critical.

In order to maintain a reliable U.S.-based transportation system that has replaced the nation's dependency on the Russian Progress, NASA has determined that having multiple CRS-2 contractors working on, and ready to provide, uninterrupted reliable cargo resupply services is necessary to ensure redundant cargo transportation services to and from the ISS. Cargo resupply missions are a critical need for the ISS Program.

Routine delivery of supplies supports continued human presence on orbit; ongoing research and utilization; and sustaining of the ISS. Mitigating schedule risk and maintaining uninterrupted cargo resupply services to and from the ISS is essential to ensure that the ISS remains a viable, life-sustaining, and productive facility.

These services provide delivery of items that not only sustain the day-today operations of the ISS, but also deliver scientific research critical to the advancement ofhumans on both Earth and in space. These scientific investigations require years of preparation in advance of launch and are often on strict timelines that depend on reliablelaunch schedules. Having a redundant launch capability is crucial to maintain the viability of the ISS as a scientific laboratory.

No companies other than the three incumbents have been identified which could provide the services required to continue the resupply missions. Maintaining a cadre of contractors able to perform cargo resupply services will ensure that NASA meets its obligations to its international partners, and the Government's need to maintain the ISS.

The ISS Program’s redundant approach also maximizes meeting Program objectives by reducing overall risk and best ensures successfully accomplishing safe and reliable cargo resupply missions to the ISS by providing flexibility for the Agency throughout contract performance. In addition, both NASA and the CRS-2 contractors have invested significant efforts to prepare the ISS to support these CRS-2 visiting vehicles.

The development of a new space flight vehicle certified to berth or dock with the ISS is a multi-year development program, which expends significant government resources. There are no other CRS-2 certified visiting vehicles in the current marketplace for providing cargo resupply to the ISS. Extension of the existing contracts is the most effective means of ensuring continued provision of these services for the extended duration of the ISS.