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

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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 talks to sell their joint rocket venture, United Launch Alliance (ULA), to Sierra Space, signaling Boeing's intent to exit the space launch business.
NASA is deliberating the future of Boeing's problematic Starliner crew capsule and exploring options for two test pilot astronauts currently stranded on the International Space Station due to its unreliability.
Alternative plans for the stranded astronauts' return include an extended stay on the ISS for six months, returning on a future SpaceX mission, with a decision on Starliner expected by the end of August.

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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.