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Constellation

About Us

Boeing Exploration Launch Systems is pursuing the Ares I (foreground) crew launch vehicle's Upper Stage and Instrument Unit elements. The Ares V cargo launch vehicle (background) is the primary vehicle to deliver high-volume materials and hardware beyond low Earth orbit.
Boeing Exploration Launch Systems is pursuing the Ares I (foreground) crew launch vehicle's Upper Stage and Instrument Unit elements. The Ares V cargo launch vehicle (background) is the primary vehicle to deliver high-volume materials and hardware beyond low Earth orbit.
Boeing Space Exploration's long term partnership with NASA began at the inception of the space program. As the nation's leader in human space flight systems and one of the world's largest space and defense businesses, Boeing knows that it takes effective leadership, world-class experience and flawless execution to make a vision into reality. With processes and tools honed during the company's tenure with the International Space Station (ISS) and the Space Shuttle programs, Boeing stands ready to help the nation safely and reliably return humans to the moon for extended stays, and on to Mars and beyond.

The nearly 50-year partnership forged by NASA and Boeing has led to advancements in enabling technologies for robotics, satellites and human transportation systems. From autonomous maneuverable satellites to precision landing and hazard avoidance, Boeing continues to lead the aerospace industry in advancing the Vision for Space Exploration.

As NASA defines the Constellation architecture and outlines technical solutions required for executing the Constellation program elements, Boeing is providing information and insights from our unique experience. Drawing on best practices from across Boeing defense and commercial aviation businesses, the company's participation in Constellation ensures a safe transition of the engineering experience and skills of the Space Shuttle and ISS programs combined with leading edge technologies and approaches.

Within NASA's planned Constellation framework, Boeing successfully pursued both the Ares I crew launch vehicle's Upper Stage and Instrument Unit elements. The in-line, two stage Ares I effort includes multiple project element teams at NASA centers and contract organizations around the nation, led by the NASA's Exploration Launch Projects office at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Boeing Space Exploration's participation in Ares I, the second element in Constellation, offers NASA several key benefits. Boeing's Delta IV heritage, including launch vehicle development of liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen systems and modern launch vehicle production facilities, provides NASA with state-of-the-art infrastructure to support the agency's evolving human transport goals. In addition, Boeing is uniquely positioned to facilitate the transition of personnel and "lessons lived" from legacy programs. Synergies of critical resources between the ISS and Space Shuttle programs, along with Boeing's human-rated flight and ground operations base at Kennedy Space Center, reduces Ares I program development costs and support continued safe flight operations.

The Ares I rocket's primary payload will be the Orion spacecraft, successor to the Space Shuttle. The Ares I 25-ton payload capacity will support resupply of ISS. Ares I will have a first stage five-segment reusable Space Shuttle-derived Solid Rocket Booster and will be powered by a second stage Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Apollo-derived J-2X engine. The configuration will allow for the re-use of human-rated elements, a robust vehicle configuration and the inclusion of a crews escape system.

Boeing also seeks to support NASA in building the Ares V cargo launch vehicle, the primary vehicle to deliver high-volume materials and hardware beyond low-Earth orbit; the Earth Departure Stage, the Ares V upper stage that will deliver the lunar module into low-Earth orbit; and the Lunar Surface Access Module, the moon landing vehicle.

America's vision for space exploration is a mission of purpose that spurs global free markets to look beyond earthly boundaries and push forward to new frontiers. The quest for answers and growth drives the Boeing and NASA partnership and the nation's future space explorers and entrepreneurs.

For more information about Constellation, please contact:

Ed Memi
(281) 226-4029

Tanya Deason-Sharp
(281) 226-6070

Boeing Space Exploration (Headquarters)
External Communications
13100 Space Center Blvd.
MC: HB1-30
Houston, Texas 77059