Not on the basis of NASA’s original 2014 awards. NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) says NASA awarded Boeing $4.2 billion and SpaceX $2.6 billion under its Commercial Crew Transportation Capability program—about 1.6 times as much for Boeing, not twice as much. Later contract values and broader program investments are different measures, and the available figures do not establish a comparable all-in total for each company.
What NASA originally awarded Boeing and SpaceX
NASA’s 2014 Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) awards were fixed-price contracts intended to support the development and certification of crew transportation systems. The NASA OIG’s June 2026 summary gives the original award values as follows:
| Provider | Original 2014 award |
|---|---|
| Boeing | $4.2 billion |
| SpaceX | $2.6 billion |
Dividing $4.2 billion by $2.6 billion gives roughly 1.6. That comparison answers a narrow question—how the original awards compared—not how much each complete program ultimately cost. NASA OIG, June 30, 2026.
Why later contract totals do not prove a two-to-one cost ratio
NASA OIG reported that the combined value of the two contracts later exceeded $8 billion. It also said that figure excludes several billion dollars in additional resources invested by NASA and the companies. The summary does not give a provider-by-provider breakdown of those later contract values or additional investments, so the combined total cannot establish that Boeing’s spending was at least twice SpaceX’s.
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- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
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“How much did NASA pay?” can therefore mean several different things: the initial award, a later contract value after adjustments, a broader tally including NASA and company investment, or the cost of operating missions. Those amounts have different boundaries and should not be treated as interchangeable. The sources available do not provide a consistent, itemized ledger of cumulative spending and commitments for both providers through October 4, 2026.
What fixed-price means—and what it does not
Fixed-price did not mean the reported contract value could never change. NASA OIG says requirements changes, technical deficiencies, or schedule delays could lead to equitable adjustments. NASA also made payments against milestones, including flight-readiness reviews, launches, and successful missions. The contract type describes how the work was contracted; it is not proof that later figures must equal the original award. NASA OIG, June 30, 2026.
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- BOEING CST-100 STARLINER – 1 Sheet Model with an easy difficulty level. Assembled Size: 1.97 (Diameter) x 2.17 H inches
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions.
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Why a cost-per-seat estimate is a different comparison
NASA OIG published an average seat-cost calculation in 2019, but it was not an exact all-in price for either spacecraft. To estimate mission cost, OIG subtracted development and test-flight costs disclosed in NASA’s fiscal year 2020 budget request, as well as special-study costs disclosed in earlier Government Accountability Office reports, from each contract value. It then divided by 24 assumed seats across six confirmed missions.
OIG described the result as an average based on publicly available information, not an exact cost. Its 24-seat denominator is a historical assumption for that calculation; it is not the same as a spacecraft’s maximum passenger capacity or a promise about seats on every flight. NASA describes Dragon as capable of carrying up to seven passengers, while NASA missions carry up to four crew. Starliner was planned to carry up to four NASA-sponsored crew after certification. NASA OIG, 2019 and NASA’s commercial space overview.
Operational status matters, but it is not a cost calculation
As of its June 30, 2026 summary, NASA OIG said Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 had received human-rating certification in 2020 and completed 12 crewed missions. Starliner and Atlas V had not yet received human-rating certification. OIG said Starliner’s three flight tests had exposed issues including helium leaks, propulsion failures, and parachute anomalies, and assessed certification as likely no earlier than 2027. That was a dated estimate, not a guaranteed schedule. The difference in operational status is important context, but it does not by itself establish a spending ratio. NASA OIG, June 30, 2026.
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The 2024 Starliner crewed test
NASA says Starliner launched its crewed test on June 5, 2024. Propulsion anomalies extended the mission to 93 days; the spacecraft returned without astronauts in September 2024. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned aboard Crew-9 in March 2025. NASA classified the test as a Type A mishap in February 2026. These events help explain why Starliner’s development and certification history differs from Crew Dragon’s, but they should not be converted into a cost figure without a consistent accounting basis. NASA, February 2026.
Quick Recap
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- SPACEX FALCON 9 - 3 Sheet Model with a Moderate difficulty level. Assembled Size: 3.00 L x 1.50 W x 7.00 H inches. 84 Pieces.
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