Boeing Establishes Space Exploration Systems and Earth Science
To better support the President's new space exploration policy, Boeing [NYSE: BA] has established the Space Exploration Systems (SES) office and the Earth Science Applications office.
The SES organization will be based in Washington, D.C., and led by Charles (Chuck) Allen, vice president and program manager. Allen previously managed the Boeing Orbital Space Program (OSP) office in Huntsville, Ala.
SES will set priorities and direct the development of systems and related technologies to support NASA's new space exploration vision. The new office will prepare Boeing for the upcoming studies to establish an open architecture and help lay the groundwork for a new space exploration system. SES will also leverage Boeing's unique network centric capabilities and expertise in integrating large systems like the International Space Station while working with NASA as an industry partner to better define and develop the systems needed to return to the moon and go beyond to Mars.
"We created the Space Exploration Systems office to better support our customer under the administration's vision for space exploration," said Mike Mott, vice president and general manager of Boeing NASA Systems.
NASA's OSP program has been folded into NASA's Office of Exploration Systems in Washington, D.C., led by retired Navy Rear Adm. Craig Steidle.
Michael (Rich) Clifford, director and program manager, will lead the Boeing Earth Science Applications office, located in Houston, Texas. Clifford previously led the Boeing Space Utilization organization. The new organization will develop broad-based application systems to further understand and protect Earth, predict changes in the environment, and provide innovative methods for interpreting the vast array of current and future Earth resource data. Clifford also will lead a "best of Boeing" team developing and integrating global information systems focusing on emerging markets benefiting industry and government agencies.
"The Earth Science Applications office will capture new business in the emerging Earth Science area," said Mott. "Boeing will take advantage of our unique network centric capabilities to deliver innovative solutions to our customers."
Mott said Boeing expects to play a major role in helping NASA develop a sustained and affordable human and robotic program exploring the solar system and beyond. As NASA's largest space contractor, Boeing has more than 45 years of experience producing spacecraft for NASA.
Personnel involved in the Orbital Space Program and Space Utilization program offices will be transferred into other areas of Boeing NASA Systems or moved into these two new organizations. The establishment of these new organizations will not result in any net losses of Boeing personnel.
NASA has recently extended Boeing's OSP contract to May 30 to capture lessons learned, best practices and insights from its study efforts through System Design Review.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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