Boeing, Lockheed Martin Consider Selling Space Launch Business

The companies that jointly operate United Launch Alliance are in talks to sell their rocket business to Sierra Space, according to a report.

Monday, August 19, 2024 at 12:26 PM ET

Verified

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, stacked atop ULA’s Atlas V rocket, stands on the launchpad of Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing and Lockheed Martin are reportedly in early talks to sell their joint rocket business, United Launch Alliance (ULA), to Sierra Space as Boeing aims to exit the space launch sector.
NASA is debating the future of Boeing's problematic Starliner crew capsule and exploring alternative plans, such as an extended stay on the ISS, for the two astronauts currently aboard, with a decision due by August's end.

See a mistake? Contact us.

As NASA top officials debate the future of its crew capsule, Boeing is said to be trying to get out of the space launch business.

Reuters is reporting that Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which jointly operate United Launch Alliance (ULA), are in talks to sell their rocket business to Sierra Space, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corp., an increasingly influential defense contractor that recently landed a $13 billion deal to build the federal government’s new Survivable Airborne Operations System based on five used Boeing 747-8s.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.