Boeing has shaped America’s space program for over sixty years. Back in the Apollo days, they built the first stage of the Saturn V rocket that launched humans toward the Moon.
These days, Boeing works closely with NASA, handling joint ventures and pushing forward human spaceflight tech. Their role isn’t just historical—they’re still right in the thick of things.
Boeing jumped into space exploration in the 1960s, right as the Apollo era kicked off. They built the S-IC first stage for the Saturn V rocket, a beast that stood 138 feet tall and cranked out 7.7 million pounds of thrust.
That rocket stage powered the missions that sent astronauts to the Moon. Boeing’s early work set the stage for decades of involvement in space.
With the Space Shuttle program, Boeing expanded its capabilities. They contributed to shuttle operations and picked up tons of experience with human spaceflight systems.
Now, Boeing develops the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for NASA’s Artemis program. This super heavy-lift rocket can haul crew and cargo to lunar orbit in one go.
The SLS is a pretty big deal for deep space exploration. Boeing’s also behind the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which aims to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station and bring crew launches back to American soil.
Boeing partners directly with NASA on several space programs. They hold contracts for both the Space Launch System and the Starliner under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Their biggest partnership? That’s the United Launch Alliance (ULA). Boeing and Lockheed Martin teamed up to provide launch services for government and commercial customers.
ULA runs the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets—workhorses that have launched a ton of missions to orbit and beyond. Boeing also works with international partners on the space station, supporting research that helps future exploration and commercial space growth.
On top of that, Boeing collaborates with military and commercial customers worldwide. They design advanced space and communications systems for defense and science missions.
Boeing built the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) system. These satellites keep missions in touch with Earth by providing high-bandwidth communications between spacecraft and ground facilities.
They develop spacecraft for all sorts of orbits—geosynchronous, medium-Earth, and low-Earth. Their satellites serve military, commercial, and scientific needs.
Boeing’s manufacturing team uses 3D printing and all-electric propulsion to simplify satellites and boost performance. That’s a pretty cool leap forward.
The Space Launch System stands out as Boeing’s flagship project right now. This rocket will send missions to the Gateway lunar outpost, the Moon, and maybe even Mars.
Boeing builds everything from small satellites to huge rocket stages. They’re always designing and building new space systems for government and commercial missions.
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft marks a big step in commercial crew transportation. It’s designed to carry astronauts to the International Space Station and other low-Earth orbit spots.
The program finally hit its first crewed flight milestone in June 2024, after years of development and testing with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Boeing designed the CST-100 Starliner as a reusable crew capsule with an expendable service module. The spacecraft is a bit bigger than SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, but smaller than NASA’s Orion.
Starliner’s autonomous docking lets it approach the station without manual piloting. Its guidance system uses cameras to spot the ISS from far away, then pulls off precise thruster maneuvers.
Instead of the usual ocean splashdown, Boeing engineered Starliner to land on solid ground using parachutes and airbags. That’s a pretty bold shift from tradition.
In December 2019, the spacecraft proved it could do it—becoming the first American orbital capsule to land safely on the ground. Engineers packed the vehicle with redundant systems to keep crew safety front and center during every phase of flight.
NASA picked Boeing as a primary contractor for the Commercial Crew Program. They awarded Boeing contracts worth billions to design, build, and operate Starliner missions.
The program set out to end America’s reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft for ISS crew rotations. Boeing and SpaceX worked side by side, creating competition and redundancy in commercial crew services.
NASA laid out tough certification requirements for Boeing to meet before running regular missions. These cover spacecraft design, manufacturing, and flight operations.
The partnership includes crew training, too. NASA astronauts train on Starliner systems at Boeing’s facilities, learning everything from manual controls to handling automated flight sequences.
Boeing’s Starliner pulled off its first crewed flight test on June 5, 2024. NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a ULA Atlas V rocket.
The crew showed off Starliner’s manual piloting features on the way to the ISS. That testing proved the spacecraft’s control systems work, setting it apart from fully automated competitors.
Starliner landed back on Earth on September 7, 2024, using its automated landing sequence. The mission gave Boeing and NASA tons of flight data to analyze for certification.
Even with some technical bumps, both astronauts said they felt confident in Starliner and would fly it again. That’s a pretty strong endorsement of Boeing’s design and safety systems.
Boeing serves as NASA’s prime contractor for the ISS. Since 1993, they’ve managed engineering support and maintenance, working with 14 international partners to keep the station running and supporting up to 400 experiments per crew rotation.
NASA picked Boeing as the ISS prime contractor back in August 1993. The contract started in January 1995, putting Boeing in charge of designing and building the orbital outpost.
Boeing transferred the U.S. on-orbit segment of the ISS to NASA in 2010. They built the station’s modular systems to hold up in the harsh space environment.
Technical reviews show the ISS can safely run beyond 2030. Boeing keeps the station running at peak performance, making sure NASA, partners, and private companies get the most out of the lab.
They process experiment racks and manage hardware setups. Boeing’s work lets the ISS support up to seven astronauts and run hundreds of experiments at a time.
NASA extended Boeing’s engineering and sustainment contract through September 2026. Boeing continues to provide crucial support for most station hardware and software.
They keep upgrading the station, too. Boeing developed super-efficient lithium-ion batteries and roll-out solar arrays, boosting the ISS’s power from 120 to 215 kilowatts.
Boeing’s engineers manage 52 computers that control the station. They keep the ISS’s 34,700 cubic feet of pressurized volume (with 14,400 cubic feet of habitable space) in good shape.
The team maintains the atmosphere at 14.7 psi, with the ISS orbiting about 220 nautical miles up. Boeing’s technical crew keeps the 919,964-pound structure humming, along with its 239-foot solar wings and 357-foot truss.
Boeing coordinates with 15 countries that helped assemble the ISS. The partnership includes Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
They manage this global effort to expand knowledge and improve life on Earth. Boeing helps test tech that builds a low Earth orbit economy and pushes human reach toward the Moon and Mars.
Boeing teams up with the ISS U.S. National Lab on commercial space projects. They work with the MassChallenge startup accelerator’s “Technology in Space” competition, giving winners funding and research slots aboard the station.
They also started Genes in Space, a STEM contest where students design DNA experiments for the ISS National Lab. The winning experiments launch to the ISS, and astronauts run them, with results published for the world.
Boeing’s international teamwork helps keep the ISS as a hub for commercial space. Their efforts with global partners keep the station at the heart of human activity in low Earth orbit.
United Launch Alliance is Boeing’s biggest partnership in commercial spaceflight. By joining forces with Lockheed Martin, they deliver reliable access to space.
This joint venture runs two main rocket systems for government and commercial clients who want proven launch options.
United Launch Alliance came together in 2006 as a strategic partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. They combined their rocket programs into one company focused on reliable space launches.
ULA took over critical national security missions for the U.S. Space Force and NASA. Boeing brought its Delta rocket family, while Lockheed contributed the Atlas systems.
The partnership helped both companies share costs and stay competitive in launching missions. ULA quickly became the main contractor for military satellite deployments and government missions.
Key ULA capabilities include:
Boeing owns half of ULA, with Lockheed Martin holding the other half. Since forming, ULA has completed over 150 successful missions.
ULA runs two main rocket systems that really shape American spaceflight today. The Atlas V has been the go-to for critical missions, and now the Vulcan rocket is stepping up as the future of heavy-lift launches.
Atlas V rockets have built a solid reputation for reliability over hundreds of missions. Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft rides atop Atlas V rockets, blasting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. In 2024, the rocket carried NASA astronauts up to the International Space Station.
ULA’s Vulcan rocket pulled off its first operational mission in August 2025 for the U.S. Space Force. The USSF-106 mission certified Vulcan for national security launches. During this milestone flight, two military satellites made it to orbit.
Vulcan uses Blue Origin engines, ditching the Russian components that Atlas V relied on. That change solves a bunch of supply chain headaches that used to plague the Atlas program. ULA wants to launch nine Vulcan missions in 2025 and hopes to hit two launches per month by the end of the year.
Vulcan specifications:
ULA still has 13 Atlas V rockets in storage. Each one already has a mission lined up before ULA completely switches over to Vulcan.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin split ownership of United Launch Alliance right down the middle, keeping Boeing right at the heart of America’s space launch industry. This partnership gives Boeing steady government revenue and supports its bigger space ambitions.
ULA has been up for sale lately, with folks like Sierra Space and Blue Origin poking around as possible buyers. Boeing and Lockheed Martin keep weighing their options—should they hold onto ULA or cash out? Now that Vulcan’s certified, ULA could be worth a lot more.
Boeing gets a big boost from ULA’s exclusive national security launch contracts. This relationship gives Boeing a solid platform to launch its own spacecraft, like the Starliner crew capsule. It all lines up with Boeing’s goal of being a top NASA partner for crewed spaceflight.
ULA’s aiming to ramp up to 20–25 launches a year by 2026. They’re not just chasing government work anymore; they’re going after commercial satellite customers, taking on SpaceX head-to-head.
Boeing’s space strategy leans hard on ULA’s rockets. The partnership lets Boeing pour energy into building spacecraft, knowing it’s got reliable rockets ready to go.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) stands as the most powerful rocket America’s ever built, designed to send astronauts and huge payloads beyond Earth orbit. Boeing took on the challenge as the prime contractor for the core stage, upper stage, and avionics systems that make deep space missions possible.
The Space Launch System pushes heavy-lift rocket tech to a whole new level. Boeing built the core stage from scratch to handle insane loads and distances.
Technical Specifications
The SLS core stage stands 212 feet tall and 27.6 feet wide. Four RS-25 engines deliver the brute force at the base. These engines used to fly on Space Shuttles, and now they power SLS toward the Moon.
Boeing’s engineers put together a rocket that outmuscles the old Saturn V. The first version lifts 95 metric tons to low Earth orbit. Eventually, upgraded models will haul 130 metric tons or more.
Key Components
The core stage stores over 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Boeing builds this enormous tank at the Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. They use advanced welding to put the pieces together.
Boeing also makes the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS). This upper stage gives spacecraft the final push to the Moon, using a single RL10 engine for precise burns.
SLS forms the backbone of NASA’s Artemis program to get people back to the Moon. Boeing’s rocket gives NASA the only proven way to send crew and cargo to lunar orbit in one shot.
Artemis Mission Profile
Each Artemis mission kicks off with SLS launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket carries the Orion spacecraft and up to four astronauts. Once in orbit, the upper stage fires to start the three-day trip to the Moon.
Boeing’s core stage drops away about eight minutes into flight. The ICPS upper stage takes over, handling the crucial trans-lunar injection burn. That move needs perfect timing and thrust.
Mission Frequency
NASA wants to launch SLS for Artemis every year. Boeing builds core and upper stages at sites across the country. They keep production lines moving to stay on NASA’s schedule.
Boeing built SLS as a family of rockets for missions all over the solar system. The modular design lets NASA pick the right configuration for each mission.
Exploration Upper Stage
Boeing’s working on the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) to take over from the ICPS. The EUS will have four RL10 engines and bigger fuel tanks. That means more payload for Mars missions and other deep space adventures.
This new upper stage lets SLS carry larger spacecraft and more supplies. NASA can launch space stations, rovers, and sample return missions with more muscle.
Mars and Beyond
SLS opens up real options for sending people to Mars and exploring asteroids. Boeing’s rocket can deliver heavy equipment before the crew even gets there. The system fits right into NASA’s long-term exploration plans.
The rocket’s design handles all sorts of payloads. Scientists can launch telescopes, planetary probes, or research gear—all in one go. That flexibility makes SLS attractive for other space agencies and commercial partners.
Boeing builds advanced satellite systems that power secure communications and precise tracking for government and commercial space missions. The company blends digital payloads with electric propulsion to deliver dependable services in a bunch of different sectors.
Boeing makes tracking satellites that form NASA’s space communications backbone. These satellites keep spacecraft, astronauts, and ground teams in constant contact.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) stands out as Boeing’s big achievement in space communications. These satellites sit in geostationary orbit and deliver near-constant coverage for missions in low Earth orbit.
Boeing’s TDRS satellites pack multiple antennas and advanced signal processing. They can track several spacecraft at once and send high-speed data back to Earth.
These satellites support missions like International Space Station ops and science research. Each TDRS weighs about 3,500 kilograms and can last 15 years or more in orbit.
Boeing combines digital payloads with all-electric propulsion for more efficient satellites. This setup slashes launch costs and gives satellites a longer working life.
All-electric propulsion systems mean there’s no need for chemical fuel during orbit-raising. Boeing’s 702SP satellites rely on xenon ion thrusters for all their propulsion after separation.
Digital payloads bring a level of flexibility that old-school analog systems just can’t match. Operators can tweak coverage, manage power, and update communication settings through software.
The 702SP design shows Boeing’s push for cost-effective satellites. These models weigh 40% less than traditional ones but perform just as well.
Boeing’s digital tech allows fast beam steering and frequency hopping. That helps block interference and jamming, especially during critical missions.
Boeing delivers secure satellite communications for military and commercial customers worldwide. The company recently landed a $2.8 billion contract from the Space Force for strategic comms satellites.
The Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program will field jam-resistant satellites for nuclear command and control. These birds come with serious protection against interference and interception.
Boeing’s also working on quantum communication tech for future space networks. The Q4S satellite mission, set for 2026, will show off quantum entanglement swapping in orbit.
On the commercial side, Boeing satellites handle direct-to-home TV, mobile comms, and internet connections. Customers span agriculture, climate science, and navigation.
Boeing teams up with HRL Laboratories to push quantum networking research. They’re working to build secure communication channels that hackers just can’t crack.
Boeing’s X-37B spaceplane marks a real leap forward in reusable space tech, running classified experiments and testing new systems on long orbital missions. This autonomous vehicle shows off cutting-edge capabilities and acts as a testbed for military and commercial space tech.
The Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle works as an unmanned, reusable robotic spacecraft built to boost America’s space capabilities. Boeing built it for the U.S. Space Force. The 29-foot-long spaceplane launches on rockets and lands back on Earth like a regular airplane.
The X-37B started its eighth mission on August 22, 2025, blasting off from Kennedy Space Center atop a SpaceX Falcon 9. This time, it’s all about testing satellite laser comms and navigation systems that don’t need GPS.
Primary mission objectives include:
The Space Force uses the X-37B to test stuff you just can’t evaluate on Earth. These experiments help develop systems for future spacecraft, both military and commercial.
Two X-37B vehicles have notched up seven missions before this one, racking up more than 4,200 days in space combined. Mission lengths vary a lot—some lasted over two years up there.
The X-37B flies itself, making all the decisions with advanced onboard computers. This autonomy lets it handle long-duration missions without needing ground control.
Boeing designed the craft with a 15-foot wingspan so it fits inside standard rocket fairings. It launches vertically like a satellite but lands horizontally on a runway, just like a plane.
Key autonomous features include:
The X-37B pulled off the first-ever autonomous orbital runway landing in the U.S. That means no pilot needed, even during tricky landings.
Recent flights have shown off aerobraking—dipping into Earth’s atmosphere to change orbit without burning much fuel. It’s a slick way to maneuver quickly and efficiently.
Boeing added a service module starting with the sixth mission. That extra space lets them carry bigger experiments, opening up more possibilities for tech testing in orbit.
Boeing’s X-37B acts as a test platform for tech that will push both military and commercial space forward. The current eighth mission is putting high-bandwidth laser communication between satellites through its paces.
The Space Force is also using this flight to try out what they call the best quantum inertial sensor ever launched. If it works, it could totally change navigation where GPS just doesn’t cut it.
Recent tech demonstrations include:
Earlier missions tested guidance and navigation systems that now help other space programs. The data engineers collect helps them design more reliable spacecraft for everyone.
Boeing pulls in experiments from the Defense Innovation Unit, Air Force Research Lab, and other agencies. These partnerships speed up tech development compared to old-school testing.
The fact that X-37B comes back to Earth means researchers can get their hands on hardware after long space exposure. That kind of direct analysis is tough to beat if you want to see how space really affects your tech.
Boeing runs operations from several strategic spots across the U.S. to support its wide range of space missions.
The company keeps its main base at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but also operates out of Vandenberg Space Force Base and a handful of other important sites around the country.
Kennedy Space Center acts as Boeing’s main hub for human spaceflight on Florida’s Space Coast.
In 2025, Boeing moved its Space and Launch division headquarters to Titusville to bring teams closer together and strengthen collaboration. That move really built on more than sixty years of Boeing’s history in the region.
Boeing launches its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station right next to Kennedy Space Center.
The facility gives Boeing the infrastructure it needs for crew transportation missions to the International Space Station.
Ground support crews get astronauts and spacecraft ready for orbit in dedicated processing facilities.
Boeing also manages Space Launch System operations at Kennedy.
These heavy-lift rockets get their final assembly and launch prep inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Boeing technicians work with NASA teams to make sure everything’s ready for deep space missions.
Vandenberg Space Force Base in California supports Boeing’s military and commercial satellite launches.
This site handles polar and sun-synchronous launches that Kennedy can’t do because of location.
Over in Huntsville, Alabama, Boeing runs engineering and manufacturing for the Space Launch System.
Hundreds of aerospace pros design rocket parts and propulsion systems there.
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans handles even more manufacturing.
The old Santa Susana field lab in California used to serve as Boeing’s rocket engine test site.
That spot helped out with Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs before it shut down.
Boeing still works on cleanup and restoration at that historic site.
Boeing is shaking up spacecraft production with advanced digital systems that link design teams all over.
The company leans on 3D printing to build complex satellite parts faster and cut down on production headaches by automating assembly.
Boeing’s digital ecosystem connects spacecraft design teams around the globe.
With model-based engineering, their engineers can test design tweaks virtually before anyone builds a real part.
This approach slashes development time for space systems.
Engineers can simulate how changes will affect performance, skipping the need for expensive prototypes.
Boeing teams up with cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft to strengthen its digital backbone.
These partnerships give engineers the computing muscle they need for heavy-duty calculations.
Boeing’s digital thread technology tracks every part from first design to final assembly.
This system grabs real-time manufacturing data, tightening up quality control for spacecraft.
The integrated setup lets teams predict how design changes will ripple through manufacturing.
They can spot problems before those issues can slow down production or mess with schedules.
For over 30 years, Boeing has used additive manufacturing in its space programs.
Now, the company is scaling up 3D printing to make key spacecraft parts more efficiently.
Key Applications:
Boeing’s additive manufacturing facility turns out parts that would be impossible with old-school methods.
These complex shapes and lightweight designs boost spacecraft performance.
The company develops 3D-printed parts for NASA and commercial satellites. This tech cuts material waste and creates parts that are lighter and stronger than before.
Boeing keeps investing in new 3D printing processes that use advanced materials.
Composites and special alloys help spacecraft survive harsh space environments.
Boeing streamlines satellite manufacturing with automated systems that handle repetitive tasks.
Smart factory tech collects production data that sharpens precision.
The company tags components with radio frequency identification so it can track each part as it moves down the line.
These tiny tags provide real-time info for thousands of satellite parts.
Manufacturing Improvements:
Boeing’s advanced manufacturing chops help new satellite designs get up to speed faster.
Standardized processes give the company the flexibility to ramp up production when orders spike.
Boeing applies the same engineering rigor to its production systems as it does to spacecraft design.
This systematic approach gives them predictable results, even with complex builds.
Boeing’s composite materials expertise drives satellite production efficiency.
Years of investment in composites mean lighter satellites with better performance.
Boeing built its space reputation over decades of partnerships with NASA and defense agencies.
The company keeps landing big contracts that help strengthen America’s space capabilities.
Boeing and NASA have worked closely together for more than thirty years.
Their partnership centers on space infrastructure and crew transportation.
The Starliner program stands out as Boeing’s headline project with NASA.
NASA awarded Boeing $4.2 billion for Starliner development and six operational crew flights.
This funding supports Boeing’s crew capsule that carries astronauts to the International Space Station.
NASA recently extended Boeing’s support through September 2026 with a two-year engineering contract.
That deal keeps Boeing working on ISS hardware systems.
Boeing built the first crew capsule entirely on Florida’s Space Coast.
The company operates from the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, which they converted from a former Shuttle program building.
Starliner gives NASA two options for crew transport, alongside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
Having two providers makes astronaut transport more reliable and reduces costs for deep space missions.
Boeing also joins NASA’s commercial space initiatives.
The company works with seven other firms in the Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities program.
These partnerships bring NASA expertise to commercial space efforts.
Boeing supports key defense space missions through its joint venture with Lockheed Martin.
The United Launch Alliance handles sensitive government satellite launches and national security missions.
The company actively lobbies for defense space contracts and funding.
Boeing hires specialized firms to represent its interests on military space policy and NASA appropriations.
Boeing’s defense partnerships go beyond just launch services.
The company contributes to classified satellite programs and space-based defense systems that protect U.S. interests.
Boeing faces some big decisions about its space operations, even as it keeps playing a central role in NASA programs.
The company is weighing strategic changes for projects like Starliner, which has had a rough ride, while keeping work going on successful programs like the Space Launch System rocket.
Boeing is considering selling off parts of its space business, especially the troubled Starliner program.
Two years ago, the company created Boeing Space Mission Systems to streamline operations and boost production.
Boeing might exit commercial crew transportation but hang on to profitable NASA contracts.
The company leads Space Launch System rocket development for Artemis, and that’s not likely to change.
Key areas under review:
Boeing could spin off struggling divisions while protecting core government contracts.
The space portfolio covers everything from tiny satellites to major launch systems, giving Boeing room to restructure.
Management is focusing on programs with real profitability and strong customer ties.
NASA remains Boeing’s main space customer, offering some stability in this uncertain time.
If Boeing pulls back from commercial crew services, the competitive landscape will shift.
SpaceX already dominates crew transport, and Boeing’s exit would leave NASA with fewer backup options.
Boeing’s choices will ripple through supplier networks and the specialized workforce.
The company employs thousands in space manufacturing—especially in California, Florida, and Alabama.
Industry effects could include:
Other companies might pick up Boeing’s space assets, keeping industry capacity up but changing who’s in charge.
Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and new players could benefit if Boeing steps back.
Boeing’s space legacy stretches back decades, from Apollo and Space Shuttle to building the ISS.
Any withdrawal would be a pretty big deal historically.
Even with all the uncertainty, Boeing keeps working on next-gen space tech.
The X-37B spaceplane just launched its eighth mission, proving Boeing still has chops in autonomous orbital vehicles.
Space manufacturing looks like a growth area where Boeing has an edge.
The company explores satellite constellations and advanced propulsion for future missions.
Current development areas:
Boeing adapts to changing customer needs while keeping its engineering expertise sharp.
Teams work on concepts for lunar surface operations and Mars support systems.
Private space tourism is a new frontier, though Boeing hasn’t announced anything specific yet.
With its experience building crew-rated vehicles, the company could jump in when the time is right.
Boeing’s future in space will depend on balancing reliable government contracts with emerging commercial markets.
The choices made in the next year will shape its role in America’s space programs.
Boeing’s space division runs several spacecraft programs including the CST-100 Starliner for crew transport and the Space Launch System rocket for deep space missions.
The company also builds satellites and supports International Space Station operations.
Boeing is busy with a handful of major space programs.
The company builds the Space Launch System rocket, NASA’s main ride for deep space missions to the moon and maybe Mars one day.
The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is Boeing’s big play in commercial crew transportation.
This capsule carries astronauts to and from the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Boeing also manufactures Tracking and Data Relay Satellites.
These satellites keep astronauts and spacecraft connected with ground control on Earth.
The company’s manufacturing facilities turn out advanced digital payloads and all-electric propulsion systems.
These components support different types of spacecraft in orbits like geosynchronous and low-Earth orbit.
Boeing takes part in commercial spaceflight through the United Launch Alliance joint venture with Lockheed Martin.
This partnership offers reliable launch services for government and commercial customers.
The satellite division creates communication systems for commercial use.
These satellites use 3D printing and simpler designs to cut down on complexity and cost.
Boeing’s commercial space efforts also include payload integration services.
The company helps customers get satellites and other gear into the right orbit.
Through the CST-100 Starliner, Boeing provides crew transportation services.
This gives commercial space stations and research facilities a dependable way to send people to space.
Boeing’s space division hires engineers who specialize in propulsion, spacecraft design, and satellite tech.
The company looks for people with backgrounds in aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Manufacturing roles center on rocket production, satellite assembly, and spacecraft integration.
These jobs need experience with precision manufacturing and quality control.
Software development jobs support flight control, satellite operations, and ground networks.
Boeing wants programmers with real-time systems and safety-critical coding skills.
Project managers coordinate complex space missions from design to launch and beyond.
These roles need a solid technical background and leadership experience.
Boeing launched the Crew Flight Test on June 5, sending the Starliner spacecraft on its first crewed mission to the International Space Station. This test flight showed the system’s readiness for regular crew rotation missions—at least, that’s the goal.
NASA and Boeing keep working together to fix technical issues that popped up during flight testing. They’re really focused on proving the Starliner can handle routine commercial crew operations.
Boeing still needs to show Starliner is truly dependable before it can start regular crew transport missions. The spacecraft goes through constant checks to meet NASA’s safety standards for human spaceflight.
Looking ahead, Starliner missions will add to the regular crew rotation flights to the International Space Station. These flights should help maintain continuous operations alongside other commercial crew vehicles.
Boeing took on a big role in Space Shuttle operations, handling support contracts and building key components. The company also provided maintenance and technical expertise throughout the shuttle era.
All that shuttle experience shaped Boeing’s current spacecraft designs. Engineers took what they learned from shuttle missions and applied those lessons to the CST-100 Starliner and other new spacecraft systems.
Boeing also worked in shuttle ground operations, offering launch support and mission control help. That background now helps the company provide similar services for today’s space programs.
When the shuttle era ended, Boeing leaned on its established NASA relationships to move into commercial crew programs. The company used its shuttle know-how to compete for new crew transportation contracts.
Boeing holds the main contracts with NASA for developing and producing the Space Launch System rocket. These deals back NASA’s Artemis program, which focuses on lunar exploration and, hopefully, future Mars missions.
With the Commercial Crew Program contract, NASA relies on Boeing for Starliner spacecraft operations and crew transportation. This effort aims to bring back the ability for the U.S. to launch astronauts from home turf.
Boeing also teams up with international partners for satellite communication systems. These collaborations help the company reach further into global commercial space markets.
Lately, NASA and other agencies have updated and extended contracts, showing they still trust Boeing’s space work. Boeing keeps landing new awards for building satellites and supporting launches.
