International Space Station (ISS): As the prime contractor, Boeing is responsible for design, development, construction and integration of the ISS and assisting NASA in operating this outpost in low Earth orbit. Boeing built all of the major U.S. elements and is responsible for integrating the systems, procedures and components of 15 participating countries in this worldwide enterprise. Today, Boeing performs much of the sustaining engineering for the ISS and continues to lead several modification projects as well as help obtain spare components as needed.

The 2009 winner of the distinguished Collier Trophy, the ISS is the largest, most complex international scientific and engineering space venture in history. With assembly completed in 2011, the ISS is larger than the size of a U.S. football field. The ISS weighs more than 900,000 lbs, the equivalent of more than 320 automobiles, and has an internal pressurized volume of 33,023 cubic feet, equivalent to a Boeing 747 jumbo jet.

A portion of the U.S. segment of the ISS was designated a National Lab in 2005. NASA's research on the ISS directly supports the U.S. Space Exploration Policy, with human life sciences experiments taking highest priority. The ISS also provides a test bed for new technologies and an analog for long duration human space flight operations. Other research includes biology and biotechnology; physical and materials sciences; and Earth and space sciences. Operations of the ISS have been extended to 2020.

Space Shuttle: America's space shuttle is the world's only reusable launch vehicle capable of supporting human space flight mission requirements as well as carrying large payloads and scientific experiments to and from space. Boeing is the major subcontractor to NASA's space flight operations contractor, United Space Alliance. As the original developer and manufacturer of the shuttle orbiters, Boeing is responsible for orbiter engineering, major modification design, engineering support to operations, including launch, and overall shuttle systems and payload integration services. In addition, Boeing has supported the development of upgrades to the shuttle fleet to ensure safe, and reliable human-rated space access. The space shuttle program is scheduled to conclude in 2011.

Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services (CAPPS): The Boeing Company holds NASA's CAPPS contract which processes payloads for the space shuttle, the ISS, expendable launch vehicles and other payload programs at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Boeing employees provide technical, facilities and engineering support to ensure payload readiness for launch.

Commercial Crew Development (CCDev): NASA's thrust into commercial crew efforts will advance the design and development of a new crew transportation system to destinations in low Earth orbit. Under an initial CCDev Space Act Agreement of 2010, Boeing successfully completed several risk reduction demonstrations and a System Definition Review (SDR) in October 2010, with only $18 million in government investment. The SDR defined the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft spacecraft's system characteristics and configuration and established a baseline design. Under a second $92.3 million agreement in April 2011, the company will further mitigate program risk and mature the system design of its CST-100 spacecraft. NASA's new 14-month CCDev-2 Space Act Agreement builds on the work performed during the first round of CCDev and enables Boeing to further mature its system to a Preliminary Design Review, a critical step that ensures the system design meets all requirements. Boeing also will conduct key demonstrations and development tests. The company plans to gather performance data on the launch abort system and the service module fuel tank; evaluate vehicle ascent performance in wind tunnel testing; and build on earlier landing air bag and parachute demonstrations with more in-depth investigations.

Boeing's Commercial Crew Transportation System (CCTS) includes the CST-100 spacecraft, launch services and ground systems. The CST-100 is a reusable capsule-shaped spacecraft that has a crew module and service module. The CST-100 relies on proven materials and subsystem technologies and can transport up to seven people, or a combination of people and cargo.

The CCTS will provide safe, affordable access to the International Space Station and other destinations in low Earth orbit, and will enable NASA to focus on deep space exploration missions. In addition to its support to NASA, Boeing also plans to supply the CST-100 to Bigelow Aerospace for that company's inflatable space station. Boeing will also work with Space Adventures to sell unused seats.

Exploration Launch Systems: The Exploration Launch Systems office, located in Huntsville, Ala., supports NASA on strategy and policy on Space Exploration programs procured by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Boeing is the prime contractor for the Ares I upper stage and instrument unit avionics, elements of the next heavy lift launch system. The upper stage is the second stage of the rocket. The avionics are the "brains" of Ares I and will provide guidance, navigation and control for the rocket until it reaches orbit. Boeing currently is working on manufacturing process development and design support, tooling design, fabrication and installation, and component design. Boeing is planning for the next step in transportation for human space exploration, expected in NASA's 2011 procurement of the Space Launch System.

Launch Products and Services: The Boeing Launch Products and Services organization, a part of the Boeing Space Exploration business unit, was formed when the United Launch Alliance (ULA) began operations on December 1, 2006. United Launch Alliance, a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, provides government launches using the Atlas and Delta launch vehicles. Boeing Launch Products and Services comprises three program areas: Boeing Commercial Space Company(BCSC), Boeing Launch Services (BLS), and Special Space Products (SSP). BCSC and BLS are Boeing subsidiaries. BCSC provides payload accommodations and support services to Sea Launch, an Energia company. BLS markets and provides Delta launch services to the commercial community and is a customer-focused organization that combines business development, sales, contracting and management for Delta commercial launch service customers. Special Space Products provides fabrication, assembly, full-scale testing, engineering services and launch site support for Delta launch vehicles.