Boeing [NYSE: BA] has opened an Exploration Launch Systems office in Huntsville, Ala., to support the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's Constellation program and the human space transportation elements.
"Our goal is to provide our NASA customer with the best technical solutions and management teams to help develop the launch systems required to return humans to the moon and beyond," said Brewster Shaw, Boeing Space Exploration vice president and general manager. "We are mobilizing the best of Boeing to help achieve the Vision for Space Exploration."
Jim Chilton has been assigned as acting program manager for Boeing Exploration Launch Systems and leader of the Huntsville office. Previously, Chilton led the company's Check-out, Assembly and Payload Processing Services contract at The Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Boeing is teaming with Northrop Grumman to obtain Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) second stage production support contracts in accordance with a January 2005 agreement with Northrop Grumman to pursue Constellation program human space transportation elements.
Boeing Space Exploration, headquartered in Houston, is the leading global supplier of reusable and human space systems and services. Space Exploration, a division within Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' Network and Space Systems business, employs nearly 4,200 people in Texas, Florida, California and Alabama.