Boeing is considering the sale of its space activities to reorient the group and strengthen its financial situation, it reported on Friday. Wall Street Journal. When asked, the planemaker indicated it would not “(comment) on market rumors or speculation.” According to the financial newspaper, this avenue was mentioned by the new management, embodied by boss Kelly Ortberg, who took over in August. The CEO suggested Wednesday during the group’s results presentation that he favored a weight-loss course for Boeing.
Space is just one component of Boeing’s Defense, Space and Security division, which does not report figures on this activity alone. The American manufacturer has maintained contractual relations with the American space agency, NASA, for a long time. Boeing notably contributed to the Apollo Moon exploration program, the space shuttle and, more recently, the International Space Station (ISS).
A strike at the two main sites for a month and a half
The Seattle (Washington state) group also sought to reposition itself against its competitor SpaceX with its new Starliner spacecraft. After several years of delay, Boeing finally managed to take off a Starliner in early June for a first test flight to the ISS. But after docking the device to the station, NASA detected problems in its propulsion system and decided to return the empty capsule. The Agency left it to SpaceX to bring back the two astronauts left on the ISS, with a return scheduled for early November, a snub for Boeing.
Boeing is also collaborating in the development of the SLS (Space Launch System) program launcher, whose objective is to take astronauts to the surface of the Moon. In a report released in August, NASA cited quality control issues within Boeing teams assigned to this program. The sale of these activities would improve the aircraft manufacturer’s cash situation, degraded by a slowdown in its production and a strike at its two main plants, which has lasted since September 13.
Source: BFM TV