Aviation giant Boeing, currently navigating a challenging period, is considering the potential sale of its space division. This decision follows a series of setbacks, including issues with the Starliner spacecraft and a recent incident involving the Intelsat 33e satellite.
The company’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has set a goal to focus on Boeing’s core business areas – commercial aviation and defense systems. He emphasized:
“We’re better off doing less and doing it better, than doing more and not doing it well”
The troubles with Starliner and the Intelsat 33e satellite have damaged Boeing’s reputation in the space sector and led to significant financial losses. Developing and manufacturing space vehicles is an expensive and risky endeavor, and Boeing aims to concentrate on its main strengths to reduce risks.
It’s still unclear which specific assets Boeing may look to sell; it could be limited to the Starliner project, or potentially involve a broader divestiture of its space business. Regardless, this process is expected to take time.
Boeing’s decision to consider selling its space business is a significant move that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire space industry. The future of U.S. space programs and Boeing itself will be shaped by how this situation unfolds.
