Boeing Announces Industry Team for Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Production

Boeing [NYSE: BA] will lead a team of suppliers in pursuit of a contract for production of the upper stage for the Ares I crew launch vehicle, NASA’s first new human-rated launch vehicle since the space shuttle.

Ares I, which will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle to low Earth orbit, is an essential element of the nation’s space exploration program that will return astronauts to the moon no later than 2020.

Boeing suppliers include:

* Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX]
* Moog Inc. [NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B]
* Northrop Grumman Corporation [NYSE: NOC]
* Orion Propulsion Inc.
* SUMMA Technology Inc.
* Chickasaw Nation Industries
* United Space Alliance
* United Launch Alliance

Each supplier brings specific capabilities tailored to NASA’s stated Ares I upper stage needs. This team provides world class technical expertise, proven performance in their Ares I roles and an innovative, low-cost small business orientation. Located predominantly in Huntsville, Ala., and New Orleans, La., Boeing’s team will focus on providing responsive support to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center customer.

Leveraging decades of experience in advanced aerospace design, manufacturing and assembly as well as common procurement systems and procedures, the Boeing-led team will provide NASA a full breadth of capabilities for the Ares I crew launch vehicle.

“We will bring innovative manufacturing approaches and the best elements of Boeing and our teammates to bear on this critical NASA Constellation Program element,” said Jim Chilton, Boeing’s vice president of Exploration Launch Systems. "Our lean practices, proven in commercial airplanes and defense programs, will help us provide a low cost, safe and reliable upper stage.

“Our team is composed of industry leaders with experience in their Ares I upper stage roles. We don’t want to add risk to NASA’s program,” Chilton added. “Our team was built around NASA’s requirements.”