The Past, Present, and Future of Boeing in Space

Although the future of the legendary aviation company's space sector is up in the air, its legacy has long shaped travel beyond Earth.

Ben Evans

Thursday, November 28, 2024 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as it approaches the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6. [Credit: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing is reportedly considering divesting its space business due to recent operational setbacks and negative publicity, particularly surrounding its troubled Starliner crew transport program.
The Starliner project has faced significant delays and technical issues, including propulsion system faults and helium leaks during its crewed test flight, leading to the astronauts' mission being extended and the capsule returning empty.
Despite these challenges, Boeing boasts a profound six-decade legacy in space, having played pivotal roles in historic missions such as the Apollo program (building the Saturn V first stage and Lunar Rover) and serving as the prime contractor for the International Space Station.
Boeing's contributions also include building core and upper stages for the Space Launch System, developing planetary probes like Mariner 10, and creating military and research vehicles such as the X-37B uncrewed mini-shuttle.

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In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing may shed its space business to focus on commercial aircraft and defense systems. This could be due in part to this summer’s test flight of its Starliner crew transport to the International Space Station (ISS), which adversely reshaped public opinion of the beleaguered aerospace titan.

But despite some of its bad publicity, Boeing’s six decades in space have helped to facilitate a permanent off-planet U.S. presence and enabled our first footsteps on the moon.