A US government report predicts that Boeing and SpaceX are unlikely to be able to send astronauts to the ISS in 2019. This could lead to a possible absence of US representatives among the crew members.
Two companies were connected by NASA in 2014 to develop missiles that could transport astronauts to the space station, since the contract with the Russian ship Soyuz expires in November 2019.
But it is assumed that none of the companies will be ready for manned flights to this date due to various delays in the certification of their programs. Now NASA is considering various options to solve the problem, but so far there is no clear plan of action. There is also an assumption that the period may be extended until August 2020. It was reported that the United States may try to obtain additional seats in the Union, but this option faces many difficulties. The process of creating a spacecraft and signing contracts for space usually takes 3 years, which means that additional space will not appear before 2021.
In 2011, NASA shut down the shuttle program and uses the services of Russian missiles to deliver astronauts to the ISS. Boeing is developing a Starliner manned capsule that is not certified until December 2019. But the Dragon certification from SpaceX will come no earlier than January 2020.
Now on board the station are three Americans, one German and two Russians. Usually the mission lasts 5-6 months.
