How NASA planned to end its sole reliance on Russian space travel

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For years, the United States relied exclusively on Russia to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. In 2014, NASA pivoted toward a commercial model to reclaim domestic independence, awarding groundbreaking contracts to private companies to secure the future of American human spaceflight.

In 2014, NASA initiated a major shift in its human spaceflight strategy by moving toward a commercial partnership model. The agency announced that it would select private companies to provide access to low-Earth orbit, specifically aiming to end the nation's sole reliance on Russia by 2017. This move was part of a parallel path where commercial entities handle low-Earth orbit transport while NASA focuses its resources on deep space exploration.

NASA granted agreements to SpaceX and Boeing for moving American personnel between the International Space Station. These missions ensure transport for U.S. teams. These missions were to utilize the CST-100 and Crew Dragon spacecraft, respectively. This transition was a critical component of the Commercial Crew Program, designed to diversify the methods by which astronauts reach orbit while the agency simultaneously prepares for missions to the Moon and Mars.

While the commercial sector handled low-Earth orbit, NASA made significant strides in deep space technology. In December 2014, the Orion spacecraft completed its first four-and-a-half-hour flight test. Orion is intended to be the primary vehicle for sending astronauts to an asteroid and eventually to Mars. Alongside the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion represents the next generation of deep space travel, supported by advancements in radiation protection and efficient air travel technologies.

The year also served as a hub for scientific discovery and education. NASA continued to study the changing Earth and the infinite universe, while also engaging students in STEM. A student-led radiation study on Orion highlighted a major risk of space travel: exposure to radiation.

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