United States operational
Boeing Space
BABoeing Space & Launch is a division of The Boeing Company responsible for spacecraft development, space station operations, and launch vehicle systems.
- Headquarters
- Arlington, United States
- Founded
- 1916
- Type
- commercial
- Founded
- 1916
- Headquarters
- Arlington, United States
- Ownership
- Subsidiary of Boeing
- Parent market cap
- $156.7B -10.8% 30d
Quick Facts
About Boeing Space
Boeing Space & Launch is a division of The Boeing Company responsible for spacecraft development, space station operations, and launch vehicle systems. Operating from Houston, Texas, and other U.S. facilities, Boeing has contributed to human spaceflight since the Apollo era and continues as a prime contractor for the International Space Station and NASA's Space Launch System.
Boeing's space operations fall within the Defense, Space & Security business unit, which generates approximately $26 billion in annual revenue with space programs representing a significant portion. The company maintains deep expertise in human spaceflight systems developed over six decades of NASA partnership.
History and Milestones
Boeing's space heritage extends to the dawn of the Space Age. North American Aviation, which merged with Rockwell International and later Boeing, built the Apollo command and service modules that carried astronauts to the Moon. The company also developed the S-II second stage of the Saturn V rocket.
Boeing served as prime contractor for the Space Shuttle orbiter, building all five shuttles and supporting operations from 1981 to 2011. The company also led development of the International Space Station's U.S. modules and has served as prime contractor for ISS operations since the station's assembly began in 1998.
The company developed the Delta rocket family, operating as United Launch Alliance (a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture) since 2006. Boeing selected CST-100 Starliner for NASA's Commercial Crew Program in 2014, though development has faced significant delays.
Products and Services
Boeing manufactures the core stage and upper stage for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket ever built. The core stage, produced at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, provides the primary propulsion for Artemis missions to the Moon.
The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is designed to carry crew to the International Space Station and future destinations. After experiencing development delays and technical challenges, Starliner completed its first crewed mission in 2024.
Boeing provides International Space Station operations and sustainment services, managing U.S. segment systems, crew activities, and ongoing maintenance. The company also develops satellite systems and provides space-related services to government and commercial customers.
Technology and Capabilities
Boeing operates major space manufacturing facilities including the Michoud Assembly Facility for SLS production, Kennedy Space Center processing facilities, and the Starliner production line at Kennedy. The company's Houston campus supports ISS operations and human spaceflight programs.
The company develops advanced spacecraft technologies including life support systems, thermal protection, and avionics. Boeing's experience with crew-rated systems spans decades and includes extensive work on crew safety and spacecraft reliability.
Boeing contributes to future exploration concepts including lunar surface systems, space habitat development, and deep space transportation. The company also invests in satellite technologies and autonomous systems for both government and commercial applications.
Business and Financial Overview
Boeing trades on NYSE under BA, with Defense, Space & Security representing a significant portion of overall company revenue. Space programs operate primarily under cost-plus government contracts, with fixed-price elements for commercial crew services.
Major contracts include the Space Launch System core stage and exploration upper stage, Commercial Crew Transportation, and International Space Station operations. Boeing competes for NASA exploration contracts and Department of Defense space programs.
The Commercial Crew program has experienced significant cost overruns on the fixed-price Starliner contract, resulting in charges against company earnings. SLS development has also faced cost and schedule challenges typical of complex government programs.
Recent Developments
In 2024, Boeing achieved a major milestone with the first crewed Starliner mission to the International Space Station, demonstrating the spacecraft's capability to transport astronauts despite an extended development timeline. The company continued SLS production for Artemis missions.
Boeing supported NASA's Artemis program through SLS core stage production and exploration upper stage development. The company also maintained ISS operations and prepared for eventual station transition planning.
The company addressed technical challenges across space programs while investing in manufacturing improvements and digital engineering capabilities. Boeing also participated in studies for commercial space stations and future exploration systems.
Market Position
Boeing maintains a significant position in human spaceflight as ISS prime contractor and SLS manufacturer, though the company faces increasing competition from SpaceX and emerging commercial providers. Cost and schedule performance on recent programs has created challenges.
The company competes with SpaceX for commercial crew services and with Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and others for government space contracts. Boeing's historical human spaceflight expertise remains a competitive advantage.
Strategic priorities include successful Starliner operations, SLS production for Artemis, ISS sustainment, and positioning for future exploration programs. The company seeks to demonstrate improved execution on space programs.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CST-100 Starliner | Crew/cargo spacecraft | ISS transport capsule; after the 2024 Crew Flight Test's thruster failures, NASA modified the contract on 24 November 2025 to cut total flights from six to four and reassign the next flight, Starliner-1, to an uncrewed cargo mission. |
| Space Launch System (SLS) core stage & Exploration Upper Stage | Launch vehicle stage | Boeing-built core stage powered the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, launching 1 April 2026. |
| X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle | Reusable spaceplane | Boeing-built autonomous spaceplane operated by the U.S. Space Force; its eighth mission (OTV-8) launched no earlier than 21 August 2025 on a Falcon 9 to test laser communications and a quantum inertial sensor. |
| International Space Station (ISS) operations | Human spaceflight sustainment | Boeing is NASA's prime contractor for U.S. segment ISS operations and sustainment. |
| 702-series satellite buses | Geostationary communications satellite | Boeing's commercial and government GEO satellite bus line, listed among the company's current space products. |
Timeline
- 2024 Starliner's Crew Flight Test launches 5 June, but in-flight thruster failures during ISS approach lead NASA to bring the two astronauts home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon instead; the uncrewed capsule lands itself in New Mexico on 7 September, the first reused American-made orbital spacecraft to land on land. [source]
- 2024 Steve Parker becomes interim leader of Boeing Defense, Space & Security in September, following a change in the unit's leadership. [source]
- 2025 Steve Parker is named permanent President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security on 1 July, after nearly a year as interim leader. [source]
- 2025 Boeing's X-37B spaceplane launches its eighth mission (OTV-8) no earlier than 21 August, flying an expanded service module to test laser communications and the highest-performing quantum inertial sensor tested in space to date. [source]
- 2025 NASA modifies Boeing's Starliner contract on 24 November, cutting total flights from six to four (up to three crewed plus one uncrewed cargo flight) and reducing the contract's value by $768 million to $3.732 billion; the next flight, Starliner-1, is reassigned to fly cargo rather than crew, targeted for April 2026. [source]
- 2026 The Boeing-built SLS core stage powers Artemis II, NASA's first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo, launching 1 April and splashing down 10 April. [source]
Team
- Steve Parker President and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security · source
Signals
- Market cap, 90 days
- -11.0%
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-09
Categories & Capabilities
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Stock Performance
BA · Daily close data
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Frequently asked about Boeing Space
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Boeing Space founded?
- Boeing Space was founded in 1916 in United States.
- Where is Boeing Space headquartered?
- Boeing Space is headquartered in Arlington, United States.
- What does Boeing Space do?
- Boeing Space & Launch is a division of The Boeing Company responsible for spacecraft development, space station operations, and launch vehicle systems. Operating from Houston, Texas, and other U.S. facilities, Boeing has contributed to human spaceflight since the Apollo era and continues as a prime contractor for the I…
- Is Boeing Space publicly traded?
- No. Boeing Space is part of The Boeing Company, which trades under BA. There is no separate listing for the division itself.
- What sector does Boeing Space operate in?
- Boeing Space works in satellite manufacturing, Human spaceflight and Defense, plus 2 other space-industry sectors.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Boeing Space is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.