{"id":17161,"date":"2024-10-27T01:16:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-26T17:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/space-shots-a-tangled-web-of-speculation-surrounds-boeing-blue-origin-and-bezos\/"},"modified":"2024-10-27T01:16:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T17:16:46","slug":"space-shots-a-tangled-web-of-speculation-surrounds-boeing-blue-origin-and-bezos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/space-shots-a-tangled-web-of-speculation-surrounds-boeing-blue-origin-and-bezos\/","title":{"rendered":"Space shots: A tangled web of speculation surrounds Boeing, Blue Origin and Bezos"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Seven BE-4 rocket engines have been installed on Blue Origin\u2019s first New Glenn booster. (Blue Origin Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is Boeing thinking about unloading some of its space projects? Is Jeff Bezos\u2019 Blue Origin space venture a potential buyer? And in light of former President Donald Trump\u2019s increasingly close relationship with SpaceX founder Elon Musk, how are Bezos and Blue Origin reaching out to the GOP candidate?<\/p>\n

Such speculation is fueled by several reports about space-related (and Bezos-related) developments over just the past couple of days. Here\u2019s a quick rundown:<\/p>\n

Boeing considers trimming back space programs<\/strong>: Citing unidentified sources, The Wall Street Journal reports that Boeing is exploring the idea of handing off some of its roles in space programs for NASA \u2014 including its unprofitable Starliner space taxi development program.<\/p>\n

The Journal says such discussions are still at an early stage and may not result in a deal. But the strategy is in line with recently appointed CEO Kelly Ortberg\u2019s plan to streamline Boeing\u2019s business lines in light of its financial crisis. This week the company announced a quarterly loss of $6 billion, and union workers voted to continue a costly strike affecting Boeing\u2019s airplane factories.<\/p>\n

Starliner has been costly as well, due to $1.85 billion in overruns that haven\u2019t been covered by Boeing\u2019s fixed-price contract with NASA. This summer\u2019s first crewed Starliner mission to the International Space Station was marred by thruster issues that resulted in the capsule being sent back down to Earth uncrewed. The two astronauts who rode Starliner to the ISS will have to stay in orbit until a SpaceX Dragon brings them down next year.<\/p>\n

Boeing also has served as the prime contractor for the space station \u2014 but with ISS operations scheduled to wind down in the 2030 time frame, the company is exploring an arrangement to transfer that support role to a different company, the Journal reports. United Launch Alliance, Boeing\u2019s joint venture with Lockheed Martin, has also long been rumored to be up for sale. <\/p>\n

The Journal says some of its sources expect Boeing to hang onto its satellite business, as well as its role as a major contractor for NASA\u2019s heavy-lift Space Launch System rocket.<\/p>\n

\"Orbital
An artist\u2019s conception shows a Boeing Starliner capsule at the Orbital Reef station. (Orbital Reef Illustration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Could Blue Origin step in?<\/strong> According to the Journal\u2019s sources, Boeing has held discussions with Blue Origin about taking over some of the NASA programs. Such discussions reportedly took place before Ortberg became Boeing\u2019s CEO.<\/p>\n

Blue Origin has a couple of potential lines of business that could be a good match for what Boeing\u2019s currently doing in space. Last year, for example, the company began a collaboration with NASA to explore developing new capabilities for crew transportation to and from low Earth orbit. Having a crew capsule would complement the capabilities of Blue Origin\u2019s orbital-class New Glenn rocket, which is currently being prepared for its first launch.<\/p>\n

Boeing is already one of the partners backing Orbital Reef, a commercial space station project led by Blue Origin. The plan calls for Boeing\u2019s Starliner capsule and Sierra Space\u2019s Dream Chaser space plane to transport crew and cargo to and from Orbital Reef. Would Blue Origin take over the Starliner program, or develop its own crew vehicle to take over Starliner\u2019s role? If NASA puts more money into Orbital Reef, might ISS operations be part of the deal?<\/p>\n

Any of those strategies would be a big step for Bezos\u2019 space venture, which already has its hands full with New Glenn, Orbital Reef, the New Shepard suborbital space program and the Blue Moon lunar lander that\u2019s being built for NASA\u2019s use. But as Boeing\u2019s executives consider how it might pare down its unprofitable lines of business, it\u2019s worth watching what Blue Origin is doing as well.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve reached out to Boeing and Blue Origin, and will update this report with anything we can pass along.<\/p>\n

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