> Clearly SpaceX already won, NASA should just pull the plug on Boeing. That would cost NASA a lot more money than continuing. The contract is task order base

> Clearly SpaceX already won, NASA should just pull the plug on Boeing. That would cost NASA a lot more money than continuing. The contract is task order based. Boeing (and SpaceX) get paid for reaching some milestones, but mostly for launching the actual operational missions, of which Boeing is currently contracted for 6. Boeing had to front the development money for the system, and then gets paid back when they actually fly. This is in contrast with the traditional cost+ contracting, where Boeing just tallies costs and gets paid that plus a fixed profit margin. At this point, Boeing has reached all the milestones and gotten paid for them, but hasn't flown any of the operational missions, and has spent billions more than they've been paid to develop the system. If NASA cancels now without a clear reason listed in the contract, Boeing has a clean case for contract violation against them, and can sue for the spent development money. Delays are not an appropriate reason, so long as Boeing isn't unduly endangering the crew they can just keep trying. But they are not getting paid any money from NASA for any of this, every day that the program continues but they are not launching the actual paid 6 missions, they are just wasting their own money.